I Just dont get it...

Well,
I just got a call from my DME.....I don't understand something.... my RX from the Dr. list a cpap device with a heated humidifier , and also stated Respironics...from talking with my DME he had no intentsion of bringing a Respironic device at all but a few models from a different company (one for Ex. Resmed S7 )

Now I had mentioned to him that I would have liked to get A Remstar Auto w/ CFlex so I can be able to download my information etc etc.

He started to tell me that it would be very expensive to buy software , card reader and that it would cost me like $1200 for this software etc. Now I've seen on this site sotware / card reader for $99 / $199.

Am I experiencing the BS from this guy in trying to discourage me in getting this equipment or is he right about this $1200 crap.

I mean I had to listen from him how if it was up to him he would get eveyone a APAP device and how most of his patients usually don't get involved with all data and how they are just interested in stopping their apnea etc.( Who care's about his other patients). As well as how he also has to make something. I mean I can't believe I have wheel and deal. As well as I don't give a dam about his profits...

I told him that I called my insurance and how I needed a code for a particular device and he told me that there was only two codes one covering cpap and the other for bi level.It was amazing how he told me that how he would give me all the information about what his cost was , his profit and all kinds of codes on all if not any device I wanted.

I figure if my ins company ( which has already approved a cpap rental ) what is the problem finding out about a device I want...he started telling me how insurance company don't like to pay for APAP devices and that their would be a extra cost....so i told him well I'm not looking for something for nothing but wouldn't mind making this ordeal a win/win situation......and that obviously if it too much to pay that i would have to settle.

He told me that he was going to come over to set me up and that he would have several devices and that i could if I wanted choose one ( Like I going to !@#$% know all information about each one of these devices). I told him that somewhat bullshit and that i would have liked to talk with him and for him to give me either what I want ( of which I did research on and heard from this site ) or the others devices so I can do my research and just simply have him and myself completely on the same track knowing what equipment and that setting up would extremely simple.

What the hell am I missing here..????????????????????????????

You're not missing anything. Your DME is an idiot!!! And he's also very sleezy!!! The software and reader can be purchased for under $200. The guy is really scamming you. Can you work with a different DME? Check with your insurance company for other providers.

Good luck!
Amy

Try billmyinsurance.com instead.

Bill is right...

Call billmyinsurance.com. They will handle it all for you and file to your insurance.

The only thing they won't do is come out and sit their smelly DME butt down on the end of your bed and plug the machine in for you.

Now you know why so many of us talk about the evil DME. It seems many (of course, not all) are primarily interested in the amount of profit they can make from selling their equipment. They can make more money if they give you a cheap machine. They don't care what you want. They don't care that you want to know what's going on. In fact, they'd prefer that you didn't, because you'd be easier to screw if you were ignorant.

Look what a trouble-maker you are!!! You have researched this and are now demanding a specific machine!! You want to monitor your own results with software (more money out of their pockets because you aren't returning to them every time you want to get this data)!!! You want to be able to conduct your own self-titration experiments to determine your best treatment pressure (often different --and lower-- than the sleep-lab titrated pressure) which means you wont be returning to them for that either!!!!! You sir, are the DME's worst nightmare. Well, join the club.

I posted this elsewhere, and I'll now post it here:

RAMBLINMAN wrote:Well to be honest with you I have the RX from the Dr. and it is very invasive on what type of machine ...

I'm looking at my RX from the DR. and he has checked:

CPAP machine.... Respironics......... RAMP........Heated Humidifier

and pressure 7cm H20.

The more generic the prescription, the better. You can fax your prescription to cpap.com or use their prescription upload feature: Secure Prescription (Rx) Upload

and they can send you the machine of your choice. They can keep that prescription on file and you can buy a different machine down the road, if you so desire. (The insurance code E0601 NU is CPAP purchase. This includes CPAPs AND APAPs. There is no different code for an APAP!!!!!!!)

Have you taken a look at cpap.com's new offering: billmyinsurance.com?

You don't need to do any of this through a DME if you don't want to!!!

But wader is right. You'll be missing out on that once-in-a-lifetime, oh-so-special home visit where they:

come out and sit their smelly DME butt down on the end of your bed and plug the machine in for you.

Good one, wader!!!!!!!!

Touche!

Once again DME's are at the level of vermin that the NO looters are, well almost

Home visit!????????????????????
I can't even get my DME to answer their phone!

I have been attempting to get some really "exotic" equipment from my DME.

After waiting for WEEKS, and calling a number of times for status, they finally told me "do not call here anymore. WE will call YOU, when it comes in". I am still waiting for the call. And this IS the "other better" DME in the area....sigh....

2 weeks to get a 420E.
Activa was supposed to take a day or two and its been 3weeks and counting.
Silverlining sofware was "in the office" but turned out to be the wrong cable and now maybe the software is a "special order", and its also going on 3 weeks, and I am trying to figure out if the software is still "thrown in" with the $2000 420E with humidifier or if they are going to try to charge me some insane price, which I will NOT sign for and WILL turn down if they pull THAT bait and switch on me.

And their knowledge of the equipment is more than embarassing, even though they have Respiratory Therapists on staff.

These are "trained professionals"?

BTW, is there a shortage of Activa standard masks that I should know about?

Stunning, isn't it????

For $799.00 (and with delivery in less than a week) through cpap.com you can get:

GoodKnight 420E Auto CPAP, GoodKnight H2O Heated Humidifier, Silverlining Software, hose, bag, and manuals.

RAMBLINMAN wrote:

Now I had mentioned to him that I would have liked to get A Remstar Auto w/ CFlex so I can be able to download my information etc etc.

He started to tell me that it would be very expensive to buy software , card reader and that it would cost me like $1200 for this software etc. Now I've seen on this site sotware / card reader for $99 / $199.

Am I experiencing the BS from this guy in trying to discourage me in getting this equipment or is he right about this $1200 crap.

As ordered from cpap.com:

REMstar Auto with C-Flex CPAP, REMstar Heated Humidifier, hose, bag, and manuals = $760.00

The accompanying EncorePro Software and Smart Card Reader (USB port) = $199.00

So for everything (APAP machine, humidifier, hose, bag, manuals, software, cardreader) = $959.00

And your DME wants to charge you $1200.00 just for the software??????

and cpap.com actually carries inventory!

I am still trying to figure out why a DME with their insane markups and "customer service orientation" can't carry a single unit of ANYTHING in inventory and it takes weeks to get anything, but the low margin ( and REALLY more customer oriented) on-line suppliers that we are steered away from by the insurance companies and doctors, can manage to have a nice stock of a variety of machines and masks and accesories, and can deliver in a timely manner.

Its quite a mystery!

Because our wonderful insurance companies put up with it. It is up to all of us to comkplain to them and to educate as many as we can via the internet not to do business with them.

rock and roll wrote:Because our wonderful insurance companies put up with it. It is up to all of us to complain to them and to educate as many as we can via the internet not to do business with them.

R&R,

Thanks for your comments!

I've been chastised numerous times so far on the ASAA forum for doing just this kind of "complaining"

This just confirms my suspicions that the ASAA is in bed with the DME/Sleep lab industry.

Snork1, I don't think that there is a shortage of Activa's. My DME, Option Care in Everett, has them in stock. Although they maybe far, I haven't had much problems with Option Care. They allowed me to switch my Activa for a Ultra Mirage FF Mask within 30 days when I bought it. I just switched sizes of Ultra Mirage and they didn't give me any problems. Also, my prices through them which was negotiated by Premera is pretty reasonable. I think that they get their money from the machine sales. I am getting the 420E hopefully, when I get back from a trip.

To be honest I really don't care about a DME profit margin what I care about is getting the equipment I want since the !@#$% DR. cant have the balls to put exactly what model etc etc instead of being invasive and just put a manufacture's name.

I told the DME I'm not interested in his cost profit ....I just want the bottom line on what I want and let's make this a win/win deal.

Now people are saying try bill my insurance.com....hey if I can get what I want without having to break the bank mint......BUT......and to be honest how would I know how to set the equipment up....? yes I have the RX saying I need 7cm H20 heated humidifier and ramp.... but if I want the machine to vary my pressures so I don't feel like I cant exhale then what..???????????

Wader,

I don't know if the ASAA is in cahoots with the DME's, quite frankly I don't follow them, but noone should be criticized for complaining about DME's or the lack of service, high markup and the insurance companies supporting this. It is a real problem and needs to be fixed.


I support businesses like then one that backs this forum. I have boought from them, was very happy, got a good price etc. My DME can go to Hell as far as I'm concerned. I would have given up treatment if I had relied on just them. Forums saved my bacon and I will always rally arouond them and against the "system" in place as it stinks and does not work!