Finding an honest DME provider

The Texan wrote:An earlier post has been some very interesting reading, for the newbie like me who has not reached the DME stage yet. Now to add fuel to the fire, how does one try and discern a good DME provider, before the fact. Is there any way of rating them, keeping in mind we travel all over the North American continent? Also, is it common for the Pulmonary Dr to own the whole package from diagnoses to sleep study to DME provider and if so, is this a good way to go or should the DME provider be separated out of the equation? With Medicare and TFL, I understand I can utilize most of the DME's out there, but need an honest one that services North America. Thanks
Bob

Bob
I got my first Machine From APRIA RIPOFF I have since bought two machine from CPAP.COM Even paying out of pocket I paid less for one machine out of pocket than I did with paying the Deductible and my copay. Than I finally paid APRIA RIPOFF Contact any one at CPAP.COM they will help.

Good luck Maybe we will see you on the road some day.
Patrick W6PEA

Gale Hawkins wrote:I think DME's are honest but not everyone has the same knowledge level or concern that you have to deal with. Where it be for mask or mattress I have found mine to be more than helpful if I ask questions of them. They have to make a profit to stay in business (USA) so they are motivated to service you well.

That's not true of all employees of DME's, unfortunately. We had one who told us that our insurance would allow us to go to any DME and she hoped we'd do that. She had a huge chip on her shoulder and accused us of all sorts of inappropriate behavior which we didn't commit. Her boss did not like hearing that she was telling people to so somewhere else........ But we ended up going somewhere else anyway.

Can I ask you where you found that information? I searched medicare.gov for it but couldn't find anything at all. Also, they haven't sent me anything about that. I guess I can kinda see the point of those rules as there are many ways in which people steal from Medicare through claims frauds ... I don't mean those of us trying to get real medical treatment, I mean thieves, some of them are very organized. I saw a video about that a while ago with these people running clinics that were nothing but scams. They paid people off the street a small amount of money to go to the clinic and make scripted health complaints which Medicare paid to "treat" even though there was no health problem and no real treatment. One of the scams involved durable medical equipment - nebulizers for breathing problems. Sad that people do this and those of us trying to get our real health care covered have to suffer for it.

jules wrote:Medicare rules changed Nov 1 I think it was on this tightening of compliance.

You got your machine before this.