OMG! My DME just called!

I was sitting here at work reading cpaptalk instead of doing the work I should be doing and I stepped out for a moment only to find that my DME had left me a voicemail. She said, "hello, it's been six months and I wanted to see how you are doing with the CPAP machine". I have half a mind to call and tell her that I had died but they would probably cut off my mask supply and want their old machine back.

I do have a question for the group - because I put the DME rental machine in my closet when I bought a data-capable APAP, should I offer to return their CPAP? I really don't need it but would like to continue to get masks from them under my insurance. Do you think if I fessed up to using my own machine that they would yank everything? I do feel guilty about my insurance company paying for rental on a machine that I don't use. Mike@tibro - what would you do with me if I was your patient/customer/client/user?

Why not ask the DME (hypothetically, of course) what they would do in a situation like this?

Keep it as a backup....it is always a good thing to have around

Handgunner45 wrote:Keep it as a backup....it is always a good thing to have around

You can't have to much back-up, and that is a fine looking pistol.

I'm in the exact same position as you. I am keeping the DME machine - letting insurance pay the monthly fee and I'm making my co-pay. At the end of the year I'll own the machine and keep it as a back up. My insurance would not reimburse me for my on-line APAP purchase...nor would they approve a data capable machine thru the DME. I am paying thousands a year for insurance and figure they can, at the very least, pay for the machine pawned on me by the DME.

bjdare wrote:I'm in the exact same position as you. I am keeping the DME machine - letting insurance pay the monthly fee and I'm making my co-pay. At the end of the year I'll own the machine and keep it as a back up. My insurance would not reimburse me for my on-line APAP purchase...nor would they approve a data capable machine thru the DME. I am paying thousands a year for insurance and figure they can, at the very least, pay for the machine pawned on me by the DME.

Well, I called them back and although I do feel guilty about keeping a machine that goes unused, I will consider it a good backup. Good advice everyone! And I get to have new masks without any hassle.

For anyone interested, this is the very first time any healthcare provider has contacted me in regards to my sleep apnea treatment since I was last diagnosed - six months back. The DME asked if I was still using the machine and I said yes - at least 7 hours each night every night. That satisfied her - about a two minute conversation. No qualitative questions on how I felt or anything. Figures.

Can they convert to Sale?

Snorebert wrote:

bjdare wrote:I'm in the exact same position as you. I am keeping the DME machine - letting insurance pay the monthly fee and I'm making my co-pay. At the end of the year I'll own the machine and keep it as a back up. My insurance would not reimburse me for my on-line APAP purchase...nor would they approve a data capable machine thru the DME. I am paying thousands a year for insurance and figure they can, at the very least, pay for the machine pawned on me by the DME.

Well, I called them back and although I do feel guilty about keeping a machine that goes unused, I will consider it a good backup. Good advice everyone! And I get to have new masks without any hassle.

For anyone interested, this is the very first time any healthcare provider has contacted me in regards to my sleep apnea treatment since I was last diagnosed - six months back. The DME asked if I was still using the machine and I said yes - at least 7 hours each night every night. That satisfied her - about a two minute conversation. No qualitative questions on how I felt or anything. Figures.

keep it as a back up for sure! There's no pleasin you guys lol. She called to get you out new stuff and she intiated a question that you could have answered with any issues that you might be having, but you didn't you said yes I use it 7hrs a night every night. That would tell me your not having any problems. Especially if you sounded confident when answering. If a pt hum ha's before they answer I usually dig a little deeper. But I'm glad they called and are atleast trying. Ironic that its the same day I show up lol.