Apria?...

I contacted Apria a few days ago to get my cpap, I have Aetna now. This will be my 3rd dme in a month I have used and I have had to return the machines because I could never get what I needed.

How good is Apria? I have not read many good reviews on them here? I'm in South Florida and I contacted Apria a few days ago, they have received all the information they have requested but I have not received any status calls, just that a therapist/tech will be contacting me to schedule an appt.

How good is Apria? Am I dealing with another "crappy" dme?

Apparently it depends on the branch office. The majority of posts regarding Apria have NOT been particularly favorable - but - we have several on the forum now who have had EXCELLENT results and speak very highly of their particular Apria office. Play it by ear, go in and meet them before you commit yourself or sign anything.

OK..they just called, I will be returning their call in a few minutes...Any last minutes questions any of you can recommend to ask?

I need a cpap machine-c-flex? I am pushing for the auto or pro?
I have Aetna.

I just spoke to a therapist and I have an appointment this Saturday morning....They are giving me the Remstar M-series Pro(full data capabilities) and the swift Lt mask!

I asked them about the software, they don't carry it but he said I can bring the "card" to them and they can download it for me?? or I can take it to my dr. also. I guess I'll ask more when I get there and check how all this works?
Where can i buy the software? price range?

I also asked about Aetna and payment policy..he said that Aetna pays as a rental for 11 months..is this correct?
Accessories are covered every 6 months.

So what do you guys think? Anymore advice will be highly appreciated!

I used them in the Chicago area for my son about 7 years ago. He needed a maching for breathing treatments while he was sick. Their was no problem getting the machine that was needed but their billing was a problem. They said they would bill my primary and secondary but refused to bill the seconday and demanded I pay it. I refused and they finally submitted to the secondary and all was paid.
Gerry

I use Apria here in L.A. I haven't had a problem yet and the tech who had the class was very cordial. He even asked us to ask for directly if there was a problem. His basic premise was avoid calling and just come in if we had an "emergency" type problem with the equipment. My insurance is Kaiser and they've actually been very pro-active in making sure i know when i can get replacements.

Since I've purchased my own machine, (they gave me the M Series plus w/ C-Flex) I've seen upgraded. They are gonna come in handy with the mask replacements.

One very bad experience at one regional Apria, one truly excellent at the other.

If you aren't happy, take your time elsewhere if you can.

Don't mean to be rude but they are not very good I live in Delaware it took me at least 3 months for them to get me my cpap machine I was calling them everyweek I would talk to the same women and explain the same thing over and over then I finally asked for the manager, then stuff got done,

I fired Apria before I even got my machine. I also have Aetna and Apria said the same about rental, and in addition to that they said the machine would never be paid off. They said that after the rental period then it went to maintenance and that the machine (a used bottom of the line) would never become mine" - it would always be on the maintenance plan. I decided that I at least deserved a new machine. I switched DME's, read this board and fought until I successfully got a brand new Auto with Aflex.

SnoozeButton wrote:I fired Apria before I even got my machine. I also have Aetna and Apria said the same about rental, and in addition to that they said the machine would never be paid off. They said that after the rental period then it went to maintenance and that the machine (a used bottom of the line) would never become mine" - it would always be on the maintenance plan. I decided that I at least deserved a new machine. I switched DME's, read this board and fought until I successfully got a brand new Auto with Aflex.

Any questions I should ask prior to signing any papers tomorrow? I want to make sure I don't get stuck with another fluke dme.

Go to cpap.com and check out the various CPAPs, especially the Respironics and Resmeds as they are the two most common brands local DMEs suppliers provide. Know which models are fully data capable so that you KNOW the one you are being offered is fully data capable. If it isn't you can then insist on the next model up that is fully data capable. If it is a brand that doesn't make fully data capable CPAPs refuse and counter w/a request for the Resmed or Respironics model you know is fully data capable. Know how long the payment period lasts for the CPAP. Ask you your copay is for that payment period. Ask what your copay is for all the accessories, ie. humidifier, hose, mask, etc. Ask how lenient their mask exchange policy is. Ask, once you've found a comfortable, leak-free mask, how often masks, hose, etc. are replaced or eligible for replacement. Do they notify you when you are due for supplies? Do they automatically send you supplies? Do they contact you on schedule about what supplies you may or may not need? Ask if they have any of that in writing so you don't forget!!! *wicked grin*

Slinky wrote:Go to cpap.com and check out the various CPAPs, especially the Respironics and Resmeds as they are the two most common brands local DMEs suppliers provide. Know which models are fully data capable so that you KNOW the one you are being offered is fully data capable. If it isn't you can then insist on the next model up that is fully data capable. If it is a brand that doesn't make fully data capable CPAPs refuse and counter w/a request for the Resmed or Respironics model you know is fully data capable. Know how long the payment period lasts for the CPAP. Ask you your copay is for that payment period. Ask what your copay is for all the accessories, ie. humidifier, hose, mask, etc. Ask how lenient their mask exchange policy is. Ask, once you've found a comfortable, leak-free mask, how often masks, hose, etc. are replaced or eligible for replacement. Do they notify you when you are due for supplies? Do they automatically send you supplies? Do they contact you on schedule about what supplies you may or may not need? Ask if they have any of that in writing so you don't forget!!! *wicked grin*

thank you!
Actually they told me I will be getting th remstar m series pro/w/humidifier/swift lt mask. I wanted to get the Remstar Auto/w A-flex but since my rx specifies c-flex I don't think they would give it to me.

I have been looking online to make comparisons and I printed them out to take with me on my meeting with tomorrow morning. Basically comparing the Remstar pro or auto m series c-flex with Remstar m series auto w/a-flex.

I did ask how the bill the insurance and they told me, the machine is paid as a rental for 11 months and it will be mine.. Every 6 months accessories replaceable(100%) covered(mask/hoses, etc.) but I will ask more questions on this.

The Pro is a lower model than the Auto.
Both have the C-flex feature.
Both are the SAME exact billing code for insurance purposes.
The key thing is your Dr needs to write a script for the Auto ..then there is no debate over which model they will give you.

There is the Respironics M Series Auto w/C-Flex and the Respironics M Series Auto w/A-Flex. You can just tell them, fine, since the C-Flex is the key word in your script, you will settle for the Respironics Auto w/C-Flex. They are the exact same billing (HCPCS) code: e0601.

I don't know if this reply is too late but believe it or not I just got a call from Apria saying they had gotten an approval
from my insurance company to give me cpap equipment. Funny thing is I dont know how they got my contact info.
I had bought my cpap online because I knew what I wanted. I think the insurance company took the initiative and sent
the approval to them. In the voicemail the lady said they would need my credit card info which is one of the reasons I
went around them.
So be prepared to have them ask you for credit card info.....maybe.
Then again maybe its just a Delaware thing.


Luke