Apria Strikes Again!

rvguy · Post by **rvguy** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:32 pm

As I stated in an earlier post, I was pleased with my intial contact with Apria, they contacted me right away and stated they were ready to serve. Well... My intial appointment for CPAP set-up was for 1pm today and at 10:30am the RT called to cancel because they didn;t have my equipment, including the Hybrid mask. The RT even stated she didn't even know what a Hybrid mask was!! Great, I can see where this is going. Tomorrow I will start over and research the other DME's available since I can't purchase online and start my treatment in the near future. Go ahead, I can hear it now ... Told you so!!!

Paul

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:43 pm

Yes, we did! That's what you get for not listening! JUST KIDDING!!!! This seems to be the apria norm. Sorry you,too, had trouble with them. Hope your next DME is better.

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 6:53 pm

I certainly wouldn't kick someone to the curb for missing one appointment. The hybrid is still a little new and while I would like to think they all know about it I can forgive someone not being familiar with it.
I dunno. Yeah I still think on the whole Apria sucks but my nature is also not to make a big deal outta one or two little things. People miss out on a lot of oustanding opportunities every day because of it.
They started out making you happy - who knows if given a chance they may continue to do so.

rvguy · Post by **rvguy** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:01 pm

My point is during the initial conversation I was assured all prescribed equipment was in stock. Second, an RT for a national DME who has never even heard of the hybrid mask??! I'm sorry but that's a RT who isn't keeping up with her trade.

Paul

DMEdaddy · Post by **DMEdaddy** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:02 pm

I would shop for anouther DME. It will only get worse.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:20 pm

rvguy wrote:My point is during the initial conversation I was assured all prescribed equipment was in stock. Second, an RT for a national DME who has never even heard of the hybrid mask??! I'm sorry but that's a RT who isn't keeping up with her trade.

Paul

Oh yeah I agree with you. I guess my point is that I'd give that particular RT a break. Who knows if maybe they've been out sick for 5 months or something. Aint very likely but hey.
It's prolly the old hippie love everyone in me though.
It's very, very rare I find someone I just get along with or can't do business with.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:22 pm

Heh. Bad typo! That last sentance was supposed to be:
It's very, very rare I find someone I just CAN'T get along with or can't do business with.
Heh. Little bit of a different meaning there!

KansasRT · Post by **KansasRT** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:37 pm

Not to stick up for Apria, but I have been calling the hybrid company for months trying to get information and order the hybrid mask and just had a sales rep stop by last week. They pushed this mask on the internet, but did not do a very good job of getting into the hands of smaller DME companies. (Not that Apria is a small DME company)

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:56 pm

CPAP.COM has 81 in stock.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-advanced.php?PNum=2204

All Sizes Included - #HYB500: 81 currently in stock

Den

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:06 pm

It's not just because of the hybrid. They didn't have his 'equipment' either. Apria did the same thing to me and I've heard of them doing this to others. This is the norm for them. They have alot of big contracts with HMOs and have gotten used to providing little or no service. That's how I got an apap. They didn't have the cheaper machine I was supposed to get! After them canceling twice I called corp. hdqtrs. and they showed up with my current machine, the one they said I couldn't have.

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:26 pm

if your order anything other than a crappy classic and Remstar Plus it is out of their league.

I'll bet when they do get a machine in if it ain't been used already by some TB patient it will be a Plus or their ever cheaper version than the plus. If Apria could order a machine with LED's and buttons they would.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:29 pm

bdp522 wrote:It's not just because of the hybrid. They didn't have his 'equipment' either. Apria did the same thing to me and I've heard of them doing this to others. This is the norm for them. They have alot of big contracts with HMOs and have gotten used to providing little or no service. That's how I got an apap. They didn't have the cheaper machine I was supposed to get! After them canceling twice I called corp. hdqtrs. and they showed up with my current machine, the one they said I couldn't have.

Brenda

I understood that, too, Brenda. It was sort of a tongue-in-cheek slam at Apria for not either knowing about or having in stock one of the hottest items in the CPAP market.

I think it's incredible that the largest DME in the country can't stock the stuff that people need.
In MY case, I had ordered my supplies from CPAP.COM, but the stuff had to sit in their shipping department till my sleep doctor sent my sleep study report to my insurance provider. I was told it had been faxed once, but they had to fax it again (?) because the insurance provider didn't get the first one......it was about another 10 day delay.

Den

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:00 pm

Sorry Den, I'm not having a good day.

Brenda

rvguy · Post by **rvguy** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:25 pm

Well I called Apria back today and they said my mask and and machine came in. When I asked what it was she said it was a Remstar Plus. Wrong! I told her the doc ordered a different machine and she asked which one I wanted. I stated the Remstar Pro2 with heat. The RT then said "You have been doing your homework, haven't you" ( Thanks guys!! ) Now there isn't an appointment available till next Monday. We'll see... I've already lined up two other DME's who have the stuff if Apria blows this appointment next Monday.

Paul

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:39 pm

My guess (and of course I can't know for sure, as

(I am not an RT, not a MD, not a lawyer, not a DME no vested interest in CPAP.com or any equipment supplier or manufacturer........Is that enough disclaimer TXKajun?)

is they ordered you a Plus on the bet that you wouldn't know the difference or wouldn't make a fuss and would just take it.

I am just a cynical human being and every day I become more so. I have just seen this and heard this too many times (including for myself from the same supplier)

When you get your Pro2 make sure they give you both types of filters, and install them correctly, and give you the extra gasket where the humidifier fits in, and the smart card etc..... In other words, all the stuff that should come in the box.