Victory over the DME

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:20 am

My DME said he could change out my M Series Plus with a Pro so I can use the software! We shall see!

But he is a nice guy, and I think I have really annoyed him!

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:26 am

Great, ignore my pm since you fixed this

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:50 am

Congratulations, Fred!! I'm glad he came thru for you! I just posted to your Grrrr thread before I saw this one.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:57 am

VERY good, Fred.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:26 pm

NEVERMIND

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:55 pm

LOL......

He said he would be here this morning and never showed! Did not return my calls...........we shall see.

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:59 pm

Apparently, I fell for his game. I feel sooooo used He and his office are not picking up phone when I call. He still won't call back.

So I called a competitor. I asked how to change providers under medicare, he said to call in the morning to the business office about that. He also said this crappy DME I have does this to everybody....this new company has plenty of people who dumped this other guy.

Oh well. I have a machine, masks, and new 10' tubing. Works.

I will continue my sad saga tomorrow?

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:17 pm

Bummer, Fred! I'm so sorry. Bundle up your equipment, leave it in the car whilst you talk to the other DMEs to make sure it is not too late to switch and if you can start anew then take your current CPAP equipment to the current DME and tell him where he can put it. That you refuse to accept it and will be getting your equipment and service elsewhere.

But time is running out on you, make sure that another DME really is willing to take you on as a Medicare patient. This current DME is obviously just trying to run out the clock on you. Don't let him!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:48 pm

Slinky,
What do you mean by "This current DME is obviously just trying to run out the clock on you."? What is the relationship between time and a particular DME? I ask because my DME, although it doesn't know it yet, is history.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 8:55 pm

Medicare purchases on a capped rental, i.e. kind of a rent to own type deal. They pay a set fee for 13 months and then title reverts to the patient. Once Medicare starts paying a DME supplier, if you switch to another one, the 13 months doesn't start all over again, they just take up where they left off. That would cut into the next DMEs profit margin by a WHOLE LOT. So they aren't gonna wanna take you. BUT the DME needs to establish patient compliance so generally they don't send in a billing for at least 30 days. If you return the xPAP w/in 30 days no billing goes to Medicare at all. If you return it after 60, the new DME has lost one month's rent. If you return it after 90 days .... you get the drift and can do the math.

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:29 pm

The saga continues. I did finally reach the DME. He said he had already ordered the new Pro machine for me. I should get it this week.....I hope.

fredpb · Post by **fredpb** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:50 pm

Two weeks, no machine.