Which DME do you use?

fasttimes · Post by **fasttimes** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 3:05 pm

Surprised I found nothing in the archives. I've been (forced) to use Apria for the past several years, but I hate them with a passion. We have now switched over to Aetna and i actually have choices. All I'm looking for is service that is mediocre. That's a step up from Apria.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 3:12 pm

fasttimes wrote:Surprised I found nothing in the archives. I've been (forced) to use Apria for the past several years, but I hate them with a passion. We have now switched over to Aetna and i actually have choices. All I'm looking for is service that is mediocre. That's a step up from Apria.

I've almost always used CPAP.COM (the provider of this forum). Their service and prices are exceptionally GREAT! And, they carry almost every product related to this therapy. What more could you wish for?

I have NEVER, EVER used a brick & mortar DME (like "Crapria" or "Lindon'tcare").

Den

.

princessbelle · Post by **princessbelle** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 3:18 pm

Sleeprider · Post by **Sleeprider** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 3:31 pm

When I had great insurance with minimal deductible and copay, I used Apria. As long as I knew exactly what I wanted, I never had to go in, and they delivered supplies to my doorstep. My original Remstar Auto M series was from them in 2008 and I used that until this past month.

With a current high deductible and copay, I'm aware of what things cost, and I won't use a DME whose cost after insurance is greater than what I would pay to CPAP.com and other online and private sources of equipment. I can get a new mask (Resmed Airfit P10) well under $100, while the DMEs want to send out a therapist to fit the mask and provide services that more than triple the cost. I bought my current machine on this forum for $200, while it would have been an order of magnitude higher from a DME where my copay and deductible would have been over $900.

My current project is to find out how to get reimbursed for buying supplies from CPAP.com as an out of network provider. Even at the 40% copay, that would be a better deal than a DME. The problem is negotiating the preauthorization process with the insurer as a patient. I strongly dislike DMEs, but health insurers are hand-in-hand with them, making things harder and more expensive for patients.

Krelvin · Post by **Krelvin** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 3:40 pm

fasttimes wrote:We have now switched over to Aetna and i actually have choices. All I'm looking for is service that is mediocre. That's a step up from Apria.

Never heard of choices.

Seriously, you will get a better response if you say what DME's you have a choice of. Most here are not fans of the normal DME's that they are stuck with.

Greg Riddle · Post by **Greg Riddle** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 4:22 pm

Defilicecare, lincare

mike1953 · Post by **mike1953** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 4:42 pm

Most of it depends on who your insurance will work with. For that call your insurance and ask for a list of DME's in your area.

hobbs · Post by **hobbs** » Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:16 pm

Why the honest one of course!

gawnfishin · Post by **gawnfishin** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 11:36 am

Fifteen years or so ago i used Apria. I was totally frustrated and eventually threw all my equipment in the trash. Now, a bit older and supposedly wiser. I had another study done and got a machine through Classic Sleepcare. They were selected by my Dr. so I went along with his suggestion and tried them. So far I am pleased. I would give them an 8.5/10 as a score.

RuthArt · Post by **RuthArt** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 11:46 am

I have Kaiser so my DME is Apria. In 2006 and 2008, I was very dissatisfied, but this time around it seems to be going better. When I was in training last week for my APAP , the trainer was very thorough with giving us information and when I mentioned that so many people were having issues with Apria and the customer service, he said the company is really trying to change that. I hope so.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 12:56 pm

I've never had a chance to use my DME, they always use me first. Jim

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 1:04 pm

hobbs wrote:Why the honest one of course!

Like I said.......CPAP.COM.

Den

.

LinkC · Post by **LinkC** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 1:46 pm

Lifeline DME. Blue Cross insurance. They play nicely together. Lifeline bills me for my copay and deals with BCBS without my help.

Edit: Another plus... After my sleep doc dumped my insurance due to Obamacare, Lifeline hasn't asked me for an annual prescription. I'm not gonna ask any questions!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 5:34 pm

Lincare, service has been satisfactory

WSHenry · Post by **WSHenry** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 7:11 pm

Hi,

I've used Performance Home Medical. They service western Washington only. They accept Medicare, and service has been ok so far. They sometimes have billing problems, but my Med Advantage provider keeps them honest, as do I.

Machine	Mask	Humidifier

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