Good DME

TerryFlower51 · Post by **TerryFlower51** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 11:16 am

I've heard a lot of talk of "evil dmes" ..... Lets be fair here.... How about defining a GOOD DME???? It will surely help some of us who because of insurance and financial concerns have to go that route. Thanks...I've gotten several DMEs off the Anthem BC/BS website. Need to know what questions to ask...so much info in my head that I know I need to sort out THE MOST important things to ask when beginning a relationship w/dme.

The one I spoke w/last, after I got off the phone, left me feeling frustrated but when I gave it some thought, even though the equipment cost to the ins co is sky high, the machine though pretty basic is a decent one. I still need to find out what out of pocket expenses generally are w/EVERYTHING included....aargh and if doing it another way would save me money or just make it so my ins co refuses to pay for any of what I'm getting because I'm not going the usual route.

Terry

DrainedDad · Post by **DrainedDad** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:33 pm

A good DME is one who will listen to you and understand that for xpap to be effective a person must be comfortable to use it.

If they make you feel that you have no options but what they give you, then you do not have a good DME.

If they will take the time to allow you to look at and try on different masks, especially hooking it to the machine so that you can try it in the positions that you sleep in, then you have a good DME.

If they treat you like you know nothing or try to mislead you, then you have a bad DME.

If they discuss with you what you have learned on this forum (or other sights) and are appreciative that you take enough interest in your health to do your homework, you have a good DME.

I believe that if your DME makes you feel uncomfortable or stupid, then they are not a good DME.

If they take the time to alleviate you fears and concerns and generally make you feel that they care about you, then you have a good DME.

When all things are considered, I don't care how much knowledge or technical expertise you have, if you don't treat me like a human being, then I am not going to use you "service".

jbelnap · Post by **jbelnap** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:51 pm

I don't know what else could be said DrainDad - WELL PUT!!!!
BRAVO!!!!!!!

The only other thing I could add would involve the insurance/finances.

When a patient comes in to see us, we have already contacted their insurance and we know their benefit information (i.e. what percent copayment and what deductible if any, they are reponsible for). How can I
expect a patient to sign a financial agreement form when I can't tell them what they are agreeing to? Many insurances also require precertification. We make sure we do precertification's for insurance companies that require it. If it is required and if it's not done first, then the insurance can deny paying for the CPAP and their reasons for nonpayment will state "PAYMENT DENIED BECAUSE PRECERTIFICATION WAS NOT OBTAINED". If for some reason this does happen to you, you are not responsible for paying for the CPAP. This means the DME company messed up and they can not bill you because they didn't do their job correctly.

Joyce

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:15 pm

Look for a DME that specializes in cpap. Most DME's carry a wide range of medical supplies from walkers to hospital beds, cpaps fall in there somwhere and the DME has no clue.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:33 pm

Try Health Management Services. There is an offrice in Richmond, VA. PM me for phone number. HMS accepts Anthem. We are cpap only DME.

TerryFlower51 · Post by **TerryFlower51** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 6:11 pm

Hi "guest"....I can't pm you...you are a guest and for some reason I can't log in with my member name "flower51" anymore so it prob won't work for me if I try. The only way to connect will be in the chat room if we happen to see each other...I'll prob be there as flower 51 whats your moniker? Also...becuase they didn't titrate me during the sleep study (prob becasue i only slept 3 hrs and they didn't have time), I need a local dme who will do the autopap and check the stats to diagnose what titration should be set at. I've been told Anthem will not pay for an autopap unless my doctor says it a medical necessity. Which he doesn't think it is unless my numbers are all over the place (to quote him)...Terry

Terry Flower51 · Post by **Terry Flower51** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:42 am

I've talked to three dme/rts in the past couple of days. BINGO! I found one who is so helpful, informative and open to discussion. She even encouraged me to use this site and cpap.com and commented that I had more info than most 1st time apnea patients she's spoken to...I owe that to YOU!

I had my doctor forward the rx to her and she will be calling to make a home appt sometime next week where she'll bring a Remstar auto to get a titration setting and let me try several masks/interfaces.

When I asked her about the Nasal AireII she said its the one she'd get if she needed one and if it worked for her. She also said they need to be replaced every 90 washings because the hose is so lightweight (just like the NA site said) and some insurance cos won't do that. My friend who loved her Nasal AireII mentioned last time I saw her that she was having trouble w/it slipping out of her nose for the first time and thought maybe it was time for a new one.

I'm wondering if the Spiritus Elite is more durable. Terry

DrainedDad · Post by **DrainedDad** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:07 am

Terry,

I am glad you found a good DME. Yes, it can be aggravating to have to talk to many before finding a good one. It is just more of the homework that we must do to get the best care possible. I always thought people in the health care profession should give just that "care!"

Best to you as you try to determine the best set up for you. It sounds like you should get some good help from your DME. Personally I think the mask you choose is most important. If it is not comfortable to you, you won't sleep. Choose wisely, from what I am gathering from this bb, the right equipment goes a long way in determining the success of the treatment. Equipment setting in the corner does no one any good (just ask my treadmill )

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Wed Jun 22, 2005 1:03 pm

There are good dme's out there. They're just as rare as hen's teeth but if you keep looking, you'll probably find one. My first dme was a total jerk. He really lied to me and gave me the cheapest stuff he could. I didn't know I could get anything better at the time. My insurance company won't pay anything if I shop online either. I got a recommendation for a dme from someone on this board in my area and tried him. The DME spent over an hour letting me try on different masks with my machine plugged up and even let me take one home and try it out for a few days. I decided I didn't like it and he let me swap it out at no extra charge and spent another hour with me trying out different masks. I got an Ultra Mirage but it had some defects from the factory so he ordered me another one and let me take the defective one home since I was having turbinate surgery the next day and needed a full face mask for a few days and then he Fed Ex'ed the new Ultra Mirage to me and gave me a box plus postage to return the defective one to him. He says if I don't like the Ultra Mirage, that he'll take it back and let me try the Fisher Paykel Full Face if I want to at no extra charge. Since he was out of my network, I had a $400 deductible and after that the insurance company would only pay 80%. He absorbed all of the excess charges and told me not to worry about it. You don't find that every day!!!! He's a c-pap user too so he understands what we go through. I'm really pleased with him so there are some good guys out there. You just have to really look hard and ask lots of questions.

RickSt · Post by **RickSt** » Fri Jun 24, 2005 6:53 pm

I can't say anything bad about my DME.It was actually the receptionist that made me feel so comfortable when I was first checking them out.As far as customer service goes so far it's incredible.My doctor's office faxed the script to the DME and within an hour I was being fitted for masks with the machine on.I bought an Activa and they've loaned me an Ultra Mirage to try out.

Rick

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 11:43 am

My DME is pretty good. Within 2 weeks of the order, they came to my house with the bipap and 2 masks (they did not have the one my doctor prescribed - the Swift - so they brought 2 others). The gentleman explained how to use the machine and the mask and made me try some of the operations out (like removing and opening the heated humidifier part). Then, since I was not happy with the mask and they still didn't have the Swift, I went to their office and someone helped me and recommended another mask. I went home and several weeks later I called to see if they had the Swift. They had it and asked me to come to their office. I went in, they provided me with the mask and instructions. Since this is the one my doctor prescribed, I was told that they would bill my insurance company for that mask and not the other 2 (I did not have to return them either) Now, I wanted the Aura, they didn't have it. So, I ordered it on-line and got reimbursed by my insurance company. By the way, I am on bipap for about 8 months. I would say I am lucky, based on many other posts I have read here as well as on talkaboutsleep.

guest · Post by **guest** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:47 pm

I am so glad to here some positive comments out there about DME companies. I was beginning to get a complex. I think I work for an excellent company. We have 2 Respiratory Therapists. One is our manater and he also has a degree in cardiopulmonary science. Last week we set up a patient on CPAP as prescribed by his physician. My manager did the setup, and when I provided him with the sleep study results before seeing the pt, we both questioned the benefit of CPAP for this patient. When the pt arrived the manager evaluated him, provided him with the CPAP and thoroughly instructed him on it, had the pt perform a return demonstration, and then educated the patient and urged him to see a neurologist. Two days later the patient returned to thank us for our concern. Seems CPAP therapy would be of no benefit, we set him up on O2 and he'll be titrated Sunday for a bipap with 02 bled into it. We take pride in having an excellent staff - we all care about the patients, even the techs who deliver equipment. There are good DME companies out there. I happen to work for one that has over 600 stores in 48 states, so if anyone wants a referral, please pm me. I'll be happy to help. BTW, I also can't sign in under my registered name. The last 2 times I've tried to post, I've had trouble and am told my username is already taken. Hope this goes thru!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:19 pm

Talked to the customer service rep at the dme's. Very relieved to find that after initial $75, I will pay $13 monthly for 10 months, my insurance picks up the rest....and then the machine is mine.

Masks are replaced every 30 days. After having a mask, if I can't get accustomed to it in 5 days they will replace with another one.

From my conversation w/rt, she will bring several interfaces/masks to my home for me to try the first time she visits, and I already know what I'd like to try out so that will be nice.

Still a fact of life that without my Doctor calling it a medical necessity, they will provide a straight cpap but not an apap. They do have the two models I'm most interested though...the remstar w/cflex and heated humidifier and the GK420 (G is what they carry) w/heated humidifier. I'm hoping once my time on the auto is done (for diagnostic purposes), she'll let me try the remstar w/cflex and then the GK w/out to see which feels better to me.

I feel so much more relieved since finding this rt and company...they have taken time to explain anything I ask and helpful. Terry

Good DME

Good DME

Good DME

Good DME

back to you Guest

good experience

Good DME