thanks

kavanaugh1950 · Post by **kavanaugh1950** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:15 am

IN JUNE I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SLEEP APNEA. I FOUND THIS SITE AND IT'S THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME! MY DME GAVE ME A RESMED 8 ESCAPE TO RENT FOR 2 MINTHS AND BUY ON THE 3RD MONTH. I CALLED IN AUG AND TOLD THEM I WANTED A DIFFERENT MACHINE, ONE THAT COULD LET ME FOLLOW MY PROGRESS ON THE LED SCREEN. THEY TOLD ME NO. I SAID I WANTED THE RESMED ELITE AND THEY TOLD ME MY MD WOULD HAVE TO SPECIFICALLY ORDER THAT FOR ME AND THAT IT WOULD NOT SHOW MY STATS ON THE LED SCREEN. I TOLD THEM TO SEND MY PRESCRIPTION BACK TO ME AND PICK UP THE MACHINE I HAD AND I WOULD ORDER ON LINE OU OF POCKET AND I WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY. AFTER 2 DAYS OF BICKERING THEY AGREED TO CHANGE THE MACHINE AND ALL IS WELL. I NEVER WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO DO OR SAY IF I HAD NOT FOUND THIS FORUM. I THINK SLEEP MD'S AND SLEEP LABS SHOULD TELL PEOPLE ABOUT THIS SITE WHEN THEY ARE DIAGNOSED. IT IS VERY INFORMATIVE. LOVE MY C-PAP. THANKS, PAT

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:23 am

Ditto!!

Although my experience with DME folks has not been nearly as bad as others on this forum, the DMEs definitely have a bottom line to look out for and it is not ours. Without the knowledge base of this forum, I would never have known what questions to ask.

- roberto

UPDATE EDIT:

I first posted this toon with its own topic ... then promptly deleted it as this was a far more appropriate thread to link it to ... Thanks again everyone!!

NyNurse33 · Post by **NyNurse33** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:48 am

I was given the escape 3 1/2 weeks ago and just found out last night, that I should ask for the elite. I hope I don't have as much trouble as you did. I'm hoping my MD will write me a script to get one.

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:31 am

Remember, your sleep doc works for you. Most are cooperative in ordering a data capable machine. Some are cooperative in ordering an auto-titrating machine. Some don't like auto-CPAP (APAP) because they think that its new and unproven technology. However, there are LOTS of studies that show that APAP is as (but not more) effective than CPAP, that APAP does AS good a job of establishing titration as does an attended PSG, and that patient compliance is significantly greater with APAP. The one caveat is that APAP may be contra-indicated for patients with a history of heart failure, since many have Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR) and titrations to high pressures can aggravate that. However, there is new technology from ResMed in the form of their new VPAP ADAPT SV bi-level that is designed and approved for mixed central/obstructive apneas (CSDB) as well as CSR. I presume that this won't be necessary for you, though.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, Titration, CPAP, auto, APAP

kavanaugh1950 · Post by **kavanaugh1950** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:13 pm

to my nurse33, i did not get another script, i just demanded that they give me the elite ortake back the escape and give me back the script from the sleep lab. i told them i wanted to be pro active in my care so i needed to be able to access my data from the led. i also told them i needed the elite because it has esr so i can exhale easier. don't ask- demand. do it now before you have to purchase the machine. they work for you. tell them you will complain to the insurance company. i found you have to be firm and it was hard since i don't usually buck the system, but i was so mad. good luck, pat

wuelfman · Post by **wuelfman** » Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:41 pm

hehe
im lucky in that my sleep doc told me aprea was bad and to order online.
i gave him what i wanted he wrote the script for just the way i wanted it. no fighting at all

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 3:57 pm

wuelfman wrote:hehe
im lucky in that my sleep doc told me aprea was bad and to order online.
i gave him what i wanted he wrote the script for just the way i wanted it. no fighting at all

Both my PC doc and sleep doc are very cooperative with my needs but my main problem is with the less than caring insurance staff.

When I talked to my insurance, they gave me a list of approved DME providers/suppliers and did not seem willing to let me order online. I have not tried talking to the BillMyInsurnce people at CPAP.com though ... I'll call'em Tuesday and see if they are willing to deal with my health insurance.

roberto

wuelfman · Post by **wuelfman** » Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:57 pm

my insurance copay is only 50%. the dme wanted to charge about $3500 i would have had to pay half hmm $1700 for a piece of junk ?? nope
i paid less then $1000 for top of line stuff with cpap.com (shameless plug )
you can take you prescription anyplace you want. my dme told me me i had to go with them.i told them ONLY IF I USE MY INSURANCE. i was cheaper just to buy it. ask the dme what the cost is, have them give you a price.
don't be fooled buy the rent to own thing with the dme.
my dr faxed my script to cpap.com and ihad everything in less then a week

thanks

thanks

Script