why do they (DMEs) push the S8 Vantage?

Hi all,

Here's the condensed version:

My DME called me saying that he received my APAP order and he would deliver one on Friday. I asked him which one they usually deploy and he mentioned the ResMed Spirit. Before I could say a word, he then tells me that the Spirit is a big machine and immediately recommends the PB 420E. So without hesitation I said, "OK, I'll take one of those."

About 4 hours later I get home and there's a voicemail on my answering machine. (DME talking): "I spoke with some respiratory therapists and they highly recommend the new S8 Vantage. It is highly recommended so I am going to bring that with me on Friday instead of the 420E. I'm leaving this message just so you are not surprised" .. beep.

What's the deal? I've read similar stories on this board and my curiosity is rising. Why would he NOT bring me a 420E (a machine that HE recommended)?

I'm sure that the Vantage is a great unit .. I am going to keep it because of it's simplistic and compact design. Simplistic meaning no software to load to get basic sleep data .. I can look at it right on the front display.
I don't have a problem with exhaling, so the EPR in "CPAP mode only" doesn't bother me.

Like I said, the unit is probably great .. I've yet to read a bad review .. but why do DMEs push this?

Usually, a doctor will have a preference and dictate that preference to the DME who is then forced to give the patient what the doctor demands or lose the doctors referral business.

Most likely the person who spoke to you on the phone didn't check which doctor you had before hand, found out, and reversed him/her-self.

The irony is that the evil DME is forced to give you a more expensive machine in this case (be SURE to get the heated humidifier by the way). PB typically replaces their machines with new machines when there are repair issues, where as resmed will repair the same unit and that sometimes causes them to be returned with the same problems. That and the S8 is like a cannon ball, small and heavy.

If you want what they are bringing, sweet for you. If it was me, just my opinion, I would get that 420E and heated humdifier.

Hmmmm. The doctors I know don't know a fig about CPAP machines nor do they really know anything about DME's. They may tell you to call Apria or some other business simply because that's the only name they know and because it worked last time they told someone to call that company. They don't really research or have a "relationship" with the DME anymore than they have a relationship with a certain pharmacist.

In my case, I called my insurance company and asked them which DME's they worked with. They gave me 10 names and I picked the one I wanted based on their location more than anything (now that I'm smarter I'd probably use more criteria, lol...) The doctor has no clue where I got my machinery from.

Just my experience and opinions..

Jan in Colo.

Hi Jcarn,

One of the reasons DME's push a certain brand is because they get more of a price break. My DME deals solely with ResMed. I'm currently trying to deal with my DME regarding this issue. My doc wrote a prescription for a 420e Puritan Bennett APAP on Nov. 29. My DME is trying to push a ResMed machine on me. I've been calling them on and off since and they are trying to contact their supplier from PB to work out a deal. When I talked to her yesterday, she gave me a song and dance that the machine prescribed is going to cost the DME more money than the ResMed. Since I have a 10 month rental and now only have 6 months to go they are moaning that they would take a hit financially for it. She even tried to say I would have to pay a lot more for the difference. My question to her, "how is that possible? I have a 10 month rental total, whether it's a CPAP (which I currently have) or an APAP." In other words, they would be stuck with the final cost. This is the reason they are dragging their heals. So my options? Take the ResMed already...nope not going to do that. Second, tell them if they can't work with me and get me the machine I need I'll go elsewhere AND be sure to let my insurance and doctor know the problems I had with them. Third, I could wait. Fourth, I can say forget it and buy one online. The other catch to this dilemma is that I am job hunting so I will more than likely be switching insurances in the next month or two. Needless to say I'm very frustrated with this whole situation.

Melinda

It's all very confusing .. BTW, the ResMed Vantage is awesome! It has everything I need for my therapy. Used it last night and it's a huge difference over CPAP. If you have the option to try it out, definitley do.

What bothered me is the way my DME recommended the PB420E, had it all set to bring over, then brought the ResMed .. that makes it suspicious. But hey, that's there job, to confuse and smile

(now that I think of it .. while his head spun around I noticed the numbers 666 on his bald spot .. hmm)

Jan in Colo. wrote:Hmmmm. The doctors I know don't know a fig about CPAP machines nor do they really know anything about DME's. They may tell you to call Apria or some other business simply because that's the only name they know and because it worked last time they told someone to call that company. They don't really research or have a "relationship" with the DME anymore than they have a relationship with a certain pharmacist.

In my case, I called my insurance company and asked them which DME's they worked with. They gave me 10 names and I picked the one I wanted based on their location more than anything (now that I'm smarter I'd probably use more criteria, lol...) The doctor has no clue where I got my machinery from.

Just my experience and opinions..

Jan in Colo.

Really sorry to hear that you have such uncaring doctors, Jan. I'm afraid I would be suspicious of their "care" in general based on what you said, and would start looking for a replacement.

At my annual "check-up" with my pulmonologist, I expressed considerable frustration with my current DME (Apria formerly Lifeplus). He opened a drawer and pulled out several business cards while telling me I was not the first to complain. As he went through the cards one by one, he said he had had negative patient comments from all but one.

He said he made a point of visiting the one DME with only positive comments, and spent over an hour talking with him. He is a certified respiratory therapist who has broadened his business to include providing durable medical equipment. My doctor suggested I give him a try.

We met a few days later, and I was extremely impressed. His office contains all of the latest electronic equipment, and it was obvious from the beginning he was both very knowledgeable and caring. He gave all of my CPAP equipment a thorough going over including checking my air pressure with a manometer.

He never tried to "push" any particular equipment, and seemed totally unbiased. Having both a caring and professional DME provider and pulmonologist is a godsend.

Maybe because of price-

They are selling for a buy it now price of 203.00 at auction.
NEW IN BOX

tomjax wrote:They are selling for a buy it now price of 203.00 at auction. NEW IN BOX

Tom,

I'm not on the market for one, but curious what auction??? I check eBay occasionally for CPAPs, for the same morbid curiosity since they only seem to last a few hours before they go *POOF*. (there are 3 there just now, a few hours into a 10-day listing, I predict they won't last long). Maybe weekends and holidays get a reprieve? or the medical equipment censor called in sick? only a guess.

(I notice our "very own" Karen is there with her bright smiley face, selling pad-a-cheeks. YEAAAHH Karen!)

I've seen the S7 and the S8 Escape on yahoo auctions for around $200 buy it now .. but haven't seen Vantage yet.

jcarn wrote:I've seen the S7 on yahoo auctions for $200 buy it now .. but haven't seen the S8 yet.

The S8 Escape has been available on the "Auctions" for a while, but so far I have not seen the Vantage.

oops .. you posted after my edit .. I meant to say Vantage

Tomjax's point (I think) was that they are pushed by the DMEs (if, in fact they are) is because they are very cheap to buy (wholesale). My guess is that they are most likely about the same as the rest... maybe even a little more expensive. It seems to be a nice line of machines.