Back among the sleepy

I had an almost one month wait after my titration study before I could see the sleep doctor to get a prescription for CPAP. I was very tired of being sleepy all the time, so I acquired an M-Series Pro and mask from Craigslist. I discovered the machine was not collecting efficacy data like it should, but at least I was getting therapy.

I finally got my prescription last Wednesday. I had already found a DME I thought I could work with. They had said they could supply the machine I wanted (a ResMed S9 Elite). I e-mailed them copies of my prescription and sleep study the same day I got them. I contacted them again Friday morning. They finally got back with me late Friday afternoon. They said they had received verification of coverage from my insurance but were waiting for "final approval" from the insurance company. I called the insurance company and was told they provided verification of coverage on Thursday and that no further approval or pre-certification was needed. I'm beginning to wonder if the DME is dragging its feet. My M-Series Pro has stopped working entirely, so now I am without therapy until the DME comes through. How long does it typically take to get a machine once you start the process with a DME? I'm trying to determine how patient I should be before looking for another DME.

This sounds like a case of "don't attribute to malice that which can adequately be explained by stupidity."

Actually, insurance is so screwy these days, it may be good that the DME is double checking. Heck, they may have even received a different answer from the insurance company.

Be sure it really says "Elite" next to the power button. Someone else got an Escape machine even though the DME swore up and down it was an Elite.

Why not an S9 Autoset instead of an Elite? Will you get an humidifier?

First delay from doc of a month seems longer than I had. Clinic was clear that scoring the tests was a really big deal. At least two experts would score each page of the test individually, then must add up each page. Takes hours of very intensive, focused effort to score one test.

Might be the DME does not have the right machine/mask in stock. DME must schedule to send out a competent RT to help you for the first time and the help you try several other masks and adjust whatever mask you choose.

Archangle said: "This sounds like a case of "don't attribute to malice that which can adequately be explained by stupidity." sounds like something that happens commonly as well.

Get on to them tomorrow and be direct in saying that you need something and push them to send a loaner for a few days until they can get their scheduling worked out. Might be your insurance will require more authorization to get a loaner, or maybe insurance company will not pay for a loaner at all.

I heard back from the DME. After I personally called the insurance company to verify they did not need any further approval as the DME was saying, the DME changed their story and told me the delay was because there was some problem with the doctor's prescription. This morning they said when that happens they have to send someone personally over to the doctor's office to get it corrected. It would take a day or two more. The changing stories on why getting my equipment was getting delayed caused me to switch to another DME. The first one didn't seem to be telling me the truth. The other DME told me they could get me set up tomorrow. When I contacted the first DME to tell them I was going with someone else, they suddenly said they had things resolved and could set me up this afternoon. I'm still not going to switch back to them. I just don't trust them to tell me the truth.

indyredsfan wrote:I heard back from the DME. After I personally called the insurance company to verify they did not need any further approval as the DME was saying, the DME changed their story and told me the delay was because there was some problem with the doctor's prescription. This morning they said when that happens they have to send someone personally over to the doctor's office to get it corrected. It would take a day or two more. The changing stories on why getting my equipment was getting delayed caused me to switch to another DME. The first one didn't seem to be telling me the truth. The other DME told me they could get me set up tomorrow. When I contacted the first DME to tell them I was going with someone else, they suddenly said they had things resolved and could set me up this afternoon. I'm still not going to switch back to them. I just don't trust them to tell me the truth.

ROFL. They have to send someone over to the doctors office? That's the biggest load a bull **** that I have heard yet. Call them back and inform them of the following inventions...

Telephone
Fax Machine
Computer
Internet
E-Mail
PDA
Text Messaging

What are they sending the message by? Pony Express?

I've read several posts on here that advise newbies to view the DME like a used car salesman. This one sure seems to be acting like one.

indyredsfan wrote:I heard back from the DME. After I personally called the insurance company to verify they did not need any further approval as the DME was saying, the DME changed their story and told me the delay was because there was some problem with the doctor's prescription. This morning they said when that happens they have to send someone personally over to the doctor's office to get it corrected. It would take a day or two more. The changing stories on why getting my equipment was getting delayed caused me to switch to another DME. The first one didn't seem to be telling me the truth. The other DME told me they could get me set up tomorrow. When I contacted the first DME to tell them I was going with someone else, they suddenly said they had things resolved and could set me up this afternoon. I'm still not going to switch back to them. I just don't trust them to tell me the truth.

My DME took a month after my PSG (titration) but that should not be used as a standard by any means. There are people who leave the PSG (titration) with a machine, use that as a standard.

I think you did the right thing by switching now BEFORE it's too late. They were feeding you BS no doubt.

Double check to be sure you are getting the machine you want or find yet another DME.

Good Luck

I think you made the right decision to switch DMEs.
In my case I had the titration study a few days after the original sleep study and had machine and mask set up within a week. The DME, however, never told me I had 30 days to return mask and try another if necessary. When I called to say I thought I needed an additional fitting I was told over the phone that my mask fit perfectly. I did not find this forum for a month or more after that and it's a case of "if I knew then what I know now...."
I had no idea how to get help etc and the doctor's appt was scheduled for a month after the DME gave me the mask so he could see how it was going. that's ok except he did not prove to be very helpful, despite being very nice! I say stick with this forum and you will be helped a lot to make the adjustments you need.