How do I find a better DME?

On another thread, several people suggested changing DME's if you don't like the one your doc sent you to. I'm not overjoyed with mine, but it could be worse. FWIW, I'm in Sacramento, CA.

Thanks,

Mac

You check with your insurance company and get a list of their in network DMEs. Then you go and talk to them and see if they know what they are talking about.

I should have mentioned that I'm new to all this and don't know enough yet to ask intelligent questions of DME personnel. I'm only just finding out bit by bit that some of the things they have told me aren't true.

McLiam wrote:I should have mentioned that I'm new to all this and don't know enough yet to ask intelligent questions of DME personnel. I'm only just finding out bit by bit that some of the things they have told me aren't true.

What makes you unhappy with your current DME? You ended up with an excellent, data capable machine, which is where people get screwed the worst my most DMEs.

McLiam,
I agree with Archangle, don't change without reason. If it's personality issues...try and get along with them and give them a chance to do their job. One reason I dropped my DME was that they locked me in to only one brand of machine and mask...Respironics. They claimed I could get other brands but that I needed an MD Rx, but when I tried that...it still didn't work. This was the parent company policy so they couldn't change it. So those sort of things that stand in the way of getting what you need.
Jamis

By the way, the CPAP machine is usually a rental for 3-15 months instead of a purchase. It can be a hassle getting the billing and insurance straightened out if you change DMEs. You may also have to fight a new DME to get a good machine.

Don't get me wrong. Do change DMEs if you need to.

BTW, if you want the software, get the free, open source SleepyHead program developed by one of our members here. It's still in development, but works very well. http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyhead/

Send Mark a donation if you like it.

My quick answer would be that you should change only for two reasons...
(1) You cannot get along with the local reps
(2) The DME bureaucracy really did you a disservice

In my case, I have an outstanding local rep Thomas, for my DME provider, preferred care, was super helpful when I was most sleep deprived. I tried to return the favor by helping them upgrade their office PC's. I realized they needed more memory and when their IT people provided it for them, I installed it for them. Later when I ran afoul of the the DME billing bureaucracy, the representative said words to the effect of, 'I would not be trying to resolve this in your favor, except your the local people really like you and asked me to try and work this out.'

So, find a rep where you really like the people and that should work out pretty well. Failing that, find a bureaucracy you know how to navigate and never mind the personal relationships. Those are the two ends of the spectrum of choices.