At Wit's End

birdiebaby · Post by **birdiebaby** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:53 am

I am just flabberghasted. I really can't believe how much of a fight it has been to get a simple humidifier. I have tears streaming down my face out of sheer frustration. I am now considering not paying my Doctor's bill so that I can buy my own humidifier.

My Dr says the original order included humidification. DME says no. Dr. Re-faxes. DME doesn't receive it. DME calls Dr. They say they have received no return call. Dr. faxes order again. Dr.s office calls me and calls DME. I call DME... we have the order, we're verifying insurance.

Two weeks have passed since the start of the latest drama, and I have no humidifier. My asthma is so bad from not having humidification that I am using my resuce inhaler constantly. I just called the DME.... now they say they don't have a prescription from the doctor. Oh, no.. we have an order for a passover humidifier, but we're not ordering it....

How can this be so difficult?

winknblinknnod · Post by **winknblinknnod** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 11:58 am

I'm new to this too, and my DME is very unhelpful.

You could consider getting your presciption in hand, and going to another DME... (we have only two to choose from in my area) but they may respond to that!

birdiebaby · Post by **birdiebaby** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:07 pm

Thanks, Winkin... I probably shouldn't have even posted this. I am just so frustrated that it just had to leak out somewhere, and I didn't want to yell at my dog.

Unfortunately, my insurance locks me into the DME. I have no choice. I do think there is a bit of bumbling on both ends this time, tho. I did talk to the Dr's again, and she pulled the original order while I was on the phone. Alas! no humidifier? How could they miss that?

So, she is trying to track down my doctor to write the prescription for the humidifier. I was very specific that I wanted the Rx for the HEATED humidifier. Hopefully she heard that.

I think I need to send them a bill for my time in getting all of this straightened out!!

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:09 pm

In writing, ask the DME to respond, in writing, that they are refusing to fill a prescribed order from your physician and that they recognize that the refusal may jeopardize your health or life. Send copies to your doctor, the director of your doctor's clinic or organization, higher up the DME foodchain if they are associated with a group, your insurance, an attorney friend (someone who won't charge to receive your letter), and one to your local county attorney or prosecutor (probably not a violation of law but it always looks good).

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Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:12 pm

Oops, I didn't understand that you didn't have the perscription yet. Well, keep the above route in mind. Pre-writing such a letter may feel good.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:23 pm

I'm pretty new to this, too, but have discovered something very quickly -- don't try to act as the go-between when important medical information is involved. Something will always get lost in translation.

Insist that your doctor and the rep from the DME speak directly. I did it when I was in my doctor's office and we were able to accomplish a great deal with both the doctor and me on speakerphone with the DME rep on the other end of the line.

Another thing I've discovered is that, based on the amount of business they refer, many DMEs will bend over backwards to accommodate requests from certain doctors. It's in their best interest to do so, so if you're not dealing with a DME that's a regular vendor for your doctor, switch to one that is. Should make life alot easier.

Good luck!

Kurtchan

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 12:39 pm

winknblinknnod wrote:I'm new to this too, and my DME is very unhelpful.

You could consider getting your presciption in hand, and going to another DME... (we have only two to choose from in my area) but they may respond to that!

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS......Get and keep the original of your prescription.

Den

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:12 pm

Go to doctor's office. Get the hard copy prescription in you hot little hand. This may involve a 1 or 2 hour wait, but it is worth it. If you get an athsma attack out of frustration, you are in the right place to be treated as you wait. Make sure it is correct (CPAP or APAP, heated humidifier, Cflex? etc) before you leave. Go to the nearest photocopy place. Make a copy (or 2 or 3). Proceed to DME with photocopy. Give it to them. Ask for a receipt. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE give the original to anyone. Go home and file the original in a safe place.

Forget the communitcation between offices and if the person heard heated or not. MAKE SURE YOURSELF.

If all else fails, fax a copy to Cpap.com, get your treatment. When the stuff from the DME finally arrives. Use it and make compliance, then sell it when it is paid for to defray the cost of the one you bought from CPAP.com or keep as a backup.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:36 pm

I'm confused. I thought the S8 vaqntage came with a heated humidifier?

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:43 pm

No, that is a separate item, the H3, although cpap.com does sell a 'package' of the Vantage, humidifier, hoses, and manuals for a single price.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:47 pm

If you like the

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:49 pm

If you like the S8 AutoSet Vantage and think you're gonna wanna keep it, BUY the H3i fer chrissakes. Its like $189 here, and your comfort and peace of mind is well worth it. Sell it on eBay if you get it straightened out with your DME, and make sure not to bake your DME any Christmas cookies this year.

Chuck

birdiebaby · Post by **birdiebaby** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 9:16 pm

Thank you all I appreciate your suggestions and moral support. There are so many lessons learned from this whole experience. We will be better prepared once my husband gets his sleep test results...

My phone was red hot all afternoon. Everyone called me back to report what they had or had not done today, and in the end, the DME isn't getting the faxes. So, the DME Customer Service Manager told them to order my humidifier anyway, and they'll take the responsibility from getting the paper from the doctor.

I quote.."You shouldn't have to suffer because we aren't receiving faxes!!!"

So, the order went in tonight, and I should have the humidifer on Friday. My fingers are crossed, but I'm not holding my breath

And most definitely, the DME is off of my Christmas cookie list! ROTL

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:23 am

[quote="birdiebaby"]Thank you all I appreciate your suggestions and moral support. There are so many lessons learned from this whole experience. We will be better prepared once my husband gets his sleep test results...

My phone was red hot all afternoon. Everyone called me back to report what they had or had not done today, and in the end, the DME isn't getting the faxes. So, the DME Customer Service Manager told them to order my humidifier anyway, and they'll take the responsibility from getting the paper from the doctor.

I quote.."You shouldn't have to suffer because we aren't receiving faxes!!!"

So, the order went in tonight, and I should have the humidifer on Friday. My fingers are crossed, but I'm not holding my breath

And most definitely, the DME is off of my Christmas cookie list! ROTL

birdiebaby · Post by **birdiebaby** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:14 am

LOL.. I can bake cookies for whomever I want! In truth, I won't be baking them for the dr's office either. Oh wait.. I don't bake Christmas cookies at all!

Guest, if you must know, yesterday was the first time in 6 weeks that anyone from the DME returned one of my phone calls... including for my PAP order which took one month for them to fill. When I did call them about the humidifier I got multiple stories about what was going on with my order which was the source of the delay.

In the end, they did the right thing yesterday, and that gives me some hope.

At Wit's End

At Wit's End

Insist that the professionals talk to one another

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Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4