Recommended DMEs?

Can I get a recommendation for a good DME in the Albany NY area?

I don't see specific mention of any companies in particular and wonder if it's not allowed on this forum.

I'm supposed to meet with my DME tomorrow but I'm not impressed with them so far.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Heather

Check with your insurance company first to see who they will cover in network for you.

you didn't say who your dme is. one person can have a good experience with a tech and love a dme. the next person can have a bad billing experience with a billing and hate the same dme. i may love the local branch of my dme and you may hate the local branch of yours. i may love the local branch of my dme, move to a new city and hate that local branch. its 100% about people and interacting with people. i suggest you do some legwork. albany probably has many dme's. you need to hit the street and walk in the front door and meet with some of them. first impressions will generally tell you if you are going to like and be able to work with them. remember, it's not about the equipment they provide. they all provide the same equipment. they all are saddled with the same insurance rules.

Do your homework first. Read! Be knowledgeable.
Contact the sleep clinic and get copies of your full reports and condensed graphs from both studies and your prescription.
Then you will have the knowledge and power to DME shop.

You will not see any DMEs listed on this Forum because our host is a cpap supply company. Go to: https://www.cpap.com

amos

You need to do a little research on your local suppliers (DME's)
The quality of service varies from place to place, even with the same chain--so our recommendations may not apply.
Some folks recommend local mom & pop businesses--but it varies--a lot.
First, you need to find which ones are 'in network'--your insurance covers more of the cost.
Next, you need to find out which ones carry the brand/model of the machine you want to get.
Finally, you want to find someone who will let you try on masks in the office, either in a recliner or on a cot,
and will honor the 30 day mask guarantee paid for by the mask makers.
Remember, you can change DME's at any point unless your machine is a rental.
Even then, you can buy masks from a different DME if their terms are better.

Thank you -

What a dummy I am....of course no DME recommendations because our host is a "DME" provider ! =) Sleep deprivation has turned me into a zombie.....

I have found a couple options for a local DME; both are in my network of participating providers.

I checked with my NP at the sleep center about getting an APAP and a data capable one. She said I would have to meet with the Director of the sleep center to talk about my concerns, and his first available appt is the end of April. I don't see my requests as so difficult; it's a good think I have two backup doctors to call on.....

Even after reading as much as I can on this website and subsequent links, I'm still getting frustrated with how difficult this is. But I know it will be worth it.

Thank you all for your help.

Now, what machine do you recommend? (I have that figured out thank goodness!)

Spinory wrote:Now, what machine do you recommend? (I have that figured out thank goodness!)

So which machine have you chosen?

Hmmm....my crystal ball says.....
ResMed S9 Autoset
or
PR System One Auto CPAP with AFlex

Seems like ResMed S9 Autoset grabs newbies eyes first if they have done any reading at all.
I recently had a chance to try both brands in the bilevel models of each...both excellent machines. Minor pros and cons to either. Both excellent machines.
My first machine was in the Respironics APAP machine model line. So I am a long time Respironics machine user. To be honest, I like both brands pretty much equally.
I think you would probably do well with either.

I do think you should make every effort to get whichever machine you have decided you want.
If you don't....you will be forever "what iffing"....."what if I had got what I wanted".

Spinory wrote:Thank you -

What a dummy I am....of course no DME recommendations because our host is a "DME" provider ! =) Sleep deprivation has turned me into a zombie.....

I have found a couple options for a local DME; both are in my network of participating providers.

I checked with my NP at the sleep center about getting an APAP and a data capable one. She said I would have to meet with the Director of the sleep center to talk about my concerns, and his first available appt is the end of April. I don't see my requests as so difficult; it's a good think I have two backup doctors to call on.....

Even after reading as much as I can on this website and subsequent links, I'm still getting frustrated with how difficult this is. But I know it will be worth it.

Thank you all for your help.

Now, what machine do you recommend? (I have that figured out thank goodness!)

you won't know what frustration is til you start trying masks. LOL...... the rest is easy.

No kidding.
Getting the right mask can be a challenge.