negative impressions of this "business"

TLD · Post by **TLD** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:11 am

As a fairly recent newcomer to the world of CPAP, I believe these devices can and do have a very beneficial impact on some user's lives. However, my experiences thus far have caused me to also form another opinion; the sleep clinics, sleep clinic doctors, and DME's are primarily focused on selling equipment - not helping patients. In short, its a racket.

When I went in for my sleep study, I had questions and concerns. The doctor only wanted to recite an obviously well worn sales pitch "you don't want to be at risk for heart problems do you - of course you don't..." It was clear her goal was to get me receptive to buying a machine in as little time as possible. When I asked her to listen to my heart she didn't want to. Finally she agreed to, clearly annoyed, and aftwerwards said "now I have to go wash my hands". I could elaborate further, but it was clear she was only interested in doing her part to make the sale.

Last week I went to my DME because the equipment is giving me AHI's around 9. They scanned my card, said "well your leak rate isn't too high" and then asked me to sign a form indicating they are charging my insurance company $150. The goal was to get the insurance money. The goal was not to help me, which they didn't. I was dismissed in less than 10 minutes with no help.

There is nothing wrong with making money - its what drives economies. However I can tell you that in my experience, the balance between helping patients and quickly making fast cash is tilted way towards greed.

major_works · Post by **major_works** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:40 am

What, the medical industry?!? Greedy?!? Heavens no!

EDIT: Just for the record... my wife had laparoscopic gall bladder surgery last year. The procedure took about 40 minutes tops. Price: $10,000. That's pretty much A-Rod money.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:56 am

TLD wrote: . . . its a racket.

Psst, TLD, not too loud. That's not politically correct thinking.

Here, quote this mantra twenty times:
[indoctrination ON]
My medical professionals are highly educated, hard-working, dedicated individuals who are intensely interested in my best personal welfare.
[indoctrination OFF]

All better now? Just remember, the doc knows best. The doc will be right in to see you.

Regards,
Bill

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:42 pm

Bill,

You are just too much! And RIGHT ON, as usual.

I had, and am having same 'problem'...when does a problem cease to be one? SNAFU?

Hurricane · Post by **Hurricane** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:49 pm

And before we forget , your copay please.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 1:56 pm

Solution to the imediate problem you have (not by any means a fix for the whole issue) is to avoid DME and their $150 charge (of which I am sure you must have some copay), then go get the software and do it yourself.

Good luck.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:08 pm

My experience was not nearly as bad ... but I too had a sense that this was a big money-making industry weighted towards profits rather than the health of the patient ... but then that is pretty characteristic of the whole national health system as others have pointed out.

SG makes a good point, when your choices are limited in terms of your local professional healthcare availability, you will need to have the patience and perseverance to provide your own treatment while at the same time being handicapped with your apnea condition.

Fortunately, there are a bunch of great people on this forum with the knowledge and skills to help you along.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:18 pm

NightHawkeye wrote:Psst, TLD, not too loud. That's not politically correct thinking.

Here, quote this mantra twenty times:
[indoctrination ON]
My medical professionals are highly educated, hard-working, dedicated individuals who are intensely interested in my best personal welfare.
[indoctrination OFF]

All better now? Just remember, the doc knows best. The doc will be right in to see you.

Regards,
Bill

Just wanted to point out there truly are medical professionals who are highly educated, hard-working and dedicated individuals who are intensely interested in their patients' best personal welfare. As with any profession, there are good ones and bad ones. (A fact I was aware of even prior to the indoctrination...)

TLD,
I agree with snoregirl and DreamStalker. With the software, you can avoid those DME visits altogether.

Elle · Post by **Elle** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:20 pm

Everything I learned about my sleep apnea I learned from this forum. I will also not buy anything from the place I originally purchased my equipment. Even though my insurance covered it I can do better at this site. No point in ripping off the insurer.

SaLeepy · Post by **SaLeepy** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:56 pm

Here, quote this mantra twenty times:
[indoctrination ON]
medical professionals can be broadly stereotyped as poorly educated, lazy, uncaring individuals who are completely apathetic about what is in my best personal welfare; in fact it is useful to declare this gratuitously and whenever possible.
[indoctrination OFF]
indoctrination: to instruct in a point of view, esp. to imbue with a specific partisan or biased point of view

Mantra: a commonly repeated word or phrase

Say it really loud. Now, it's politically correct thinking.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 2:56 pm

Everything I learned about my sleep apnea I learned from this forum. I will also not buy anything from the place I originally purchased my equipment. Even though my insurance covered it I can do better at this site. No point in ripping off the insurer.

..ditto what Elle said..The only thing I used my insurance for, was the sleep study. Because my out-of-pocket expenses for a PSG was "only" $950.00. ($2950 - $1000 (write off) - $1000 (insurance) = $950.00), plus co-pay of course.
Furthermore, this was after my deductible was met. It could have been worse.

TANSTAF1 · Post by **TANSTAF1** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:06 pm

The first time I went to my DME after my sleep study, I met with my doctor but I was virtually clueless. I had been to busy to do any researech before going.

My primary care physician is excellent and for the few times I have had to see a specialist he has referred me to the best in the Boston area and so my philosophy has been to just try to be an intelligent patient and let the medical experts run the show as I do not want to "play" at being a doctor.

However my sleep doctor was selected by the sleep center, not by my primary care physician, and I had a bad experience meeting with the DME technicians so on my next visit I will be wary and much more knowledgeable.

I just got a machine with the software capability and do not yet know how to interpret the results. I have seen people post their results seeking advice and get replies that amaze me with what others are able to see in those results. So I am not ready to go it alone yet.

Which brings me to my next thought. Why not have a forum here by city where people can rate their sleep doctors or DME's? This may not help people in the boonies, but at least people in the larger metro areas would have a resource.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:12 pm

QUOTE:
When I asked her to listen to my heart she didn't want to. Finally she agreed to, clearly annoyed, and afterwards said "now I have to go wash my hands".

I would definitely look for another doctor, ASAP

SaLeepy · Post by **SaLeepy** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:26 pm

TANSTAF1 wrote:Why not have a forum here by city where people can rate their sleep doctors or DME's?

TANSTAF1, while you may have the best of intentions in spending your time in posting your helpful and positive suggestions, your time could be better spent by reciting mantras, and helping to indoctrinate true believers. It will make your life far simpler, and you will not be troubled by the need for by presenting declarative statements of positive or negative attributions which would reflect a more nuanced view.

Please refer to the stereotype and mantra of your choice.

Just,
Saleepy

TANSTAF1 · Post by **TANSTAF1** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 3:55 pm

I simply do not agree that all doctors are bad.

Maybe it's because I live in an area with some of the best hospitals in the world and we are able to get good recommendations (usually from someone inside the medical profession or from family) before picking a doctor, but we have great doctors. But I didn't know anyone with sleep apnea and I treated my own diagnosis rather lightly as here didn't seem to be any serious up- or down-side to trying a CPAP machine.

However, there does seem to be a high percentage of complaints and anecdotal evidence about sleep doctors and DME's. I don't know about my sleep doctor yet as I went in unarmed, so to speak. We all need at least an initial prescription so why not get one froma good doctor if possible?

negative impressions of this "business"

negative impressions of this "business"

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