How Much Do You Trust Your DME?

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 8:11 pm

Hmm . . ., not looking good for DME's, but we don't have all the votes in yet either.

Regards,
Bill

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 6:23 am

My DME knew right up front he wasn't going to make a lot of money off of me. I got a free loaner BiPap through a provincial plan, so he wasn't going to get the big bucks there. He did get me on rental while I was waiting for my real machine, and for two masks in two months. In other words, he got the money he could get from me and didn't care much about anything else.

Fredman · Post by **Fredman** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:58 am

My DME is solely dedicated seller of CPAP equipment and accessories. Except for card readers and software. My RT is part owner of the DME.

I am free to choose the DME of my choice. These folks I do like and for the most part are knowledgeable....HOWEVER, went in for a year checkup on the ol CPAP unit and to get a reading from my card. This is where I am dissapointed. They took an average or a summary and reviewed that with me. I realize that 365 days of data would be hard to isolate issues, but you think the software would be sophisticated enough that they could?

Lately I have had a few strange things happen. Sometimes I will wake almost startled feeling and my heart pumping hard and feeling like I am out of breath almost like I did prior to CPAP. My AHI apparently was good..I can't find my sheet to tell you I think it was around 5 or 7???

So I am a bit concerned. Today bought the card reader and Encore Viewer software bundle from our favourite CPAP.COM I hope to be able to learn all that I can. I have seen that the collective wisdom has a lot of good info.

glh · Post by **glh** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:18 am

I've had 2 DMEs. The first was terrible (trust less than used car salesman), the second has been good (trust more than most businesses). The second is a small local and we happen to know (though not well) the owners so that might make a difference in the way I have been treated.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:03 pm

I'm w/you, GLH. My first local DME could be "trusted" considerably less than a "Used Car Salesman" (about on a par w/a "politician" or other government official).

My current local DME I trust about like any other business. My vote is based on the first local DME. The Sheister.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 3:20 pm

NOT AT ALL, their crooks and out to rob most poor people, oh and some sell their used machines as new and charge your insurance for things you don't even get

BTW, i'm not logged in but I trust them LESS than a used car salesman

SNM

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:52 pm

As far as I can put them. (as in shot put them......) They make such a satisfying 'thud' when they hit the ground. .

roster · Post by **roster** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 5:27 pm

Greetings All
I haven't posted in quite awhile but I have followed the postings occasionally. I was at my DME's recently and I have to admit that 99 out of 100 of his comments are usually useless but I would like your opinion on this one. He suggested I use the same product divers use to coat the insides of their masks to prevent them from fogging up on the inside of my comfortlite cushions to prevent rainout.

From another thread. Guess how I voted!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 6:07 pm

The thread rooster mentioned is here:

viewtopic/t30375/Would-this-be-a-viable ... -cure.html

jsmythe · Post by **jsmythe** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:36 pm

My answer would be similar to Kroussea's about the questions and answers. The tech I dealt with had no answers for me at all. In fact, at one time, she told me that they looked forward to me coming in, because I knew more about CPAP than they did.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 8:36 pm

jsmythe wrote:The tech I dealt with had no answers for me at all. In fact, at one time, she told me that they looked forward to me coming in, because I knew more about CPAP than they did.

LOL!! Well, at least the tech was honest and apparently doesn't have a "we're the gods" ego problem. Some of them resent cpap users who happen to know more than they do about "cpap" and hate to see those cpap users come in.

One like your tech, even though she probably doesn't know a lot that she should know about "cpap", sounds like she's open to learning.

Hose_Head · Post by **Hose_Head** » Sun Apr 20, 2008 9:22 pm

I had trouble voting with the given choices. I've had two DME's and in the end , voted on the basis of my experience with my first DME. I rated it a less than a used car saleman type. My second DME is typical of any other business - SO FAR (I've only been there once; my opinion may change with time).

My experience with my first DME lasted about a month and several visits. I knew it was time for a change when the RT responded to my question by telling me that she couldn't answer and wouldn't look it up. Instead, she gave me her boss's telephone number to call.

I resisted the obvious opening to complain to her boss. Instead, I returned the loaner equipment that I had had from them for over a month and walked.

Bookbear · Post by **Bookbear** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:06 pm

"As far as I could shot put the building they work out of."

Now there's a choice!

crossfit · Post by **crossfit** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:43 pm

Well, I am one of the votes for better than most businesses. I went in, they had a machine out - it was one of the two I wanted but the second choice. I asked for my first choice and they just went and got it. Same thing with the masks

BUT, my sleep doctor has sells them and tries to send everyone with one of these two machines. He only sends those whose insurance don't give choice to the local DME's.

So I am probably spoiled.

JayC · Post by **JayC** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:04 pm

Given those choices--- used car salesman.

In 16 days, experiences to be cautious:

Didn't set mask type on APAP (although brought Swift LT on own initiative (that's what I picked.) Didn;t show me how/where to do it... even though it is a patient changable selection.

Coded filter wrong on slip, so I was sent wrong type when I ordered my allowed extras. I'm still waiting for delivery of right ones.... and had to call again for status even though I was told "I'll check on it, and call you back later today." Sounded surprised/annoyed that I called for update the next day as I didn't hear back!!

Told me smart card download erases data in machine . (Not unless someone tells it to!!)

Same DME and RT is servicing a friend, and is being extremely condescending and unhelpful to her. I asked informed questions (thanks to you all!!) before we scheduled his home visit, so perhaps that is why he's not condescending to me.

I do wonder if doc's specific Rx (I think named machine(?)) was why I got APAP (see below). Guess that's not a complaint, just skepticism.

Specifically DISCOURAGED me from getting battery power items (from wherever) ?!?!?!? Has he not ever heard of a power outage?!?! He is himself a longtime CPAP user....

No one has called with any type of follow-up. Wouldn't that help increase early compliance? (although I am 100% motivated on getting life back after decades, so I need no external motivation.....prospect of ANY improvement is all I need!!!

In fairness, I got 3 phone calls within a day of my Rx baing faxed: customer svc, Billing, and RT. Had machine in 7 business days.....would have been earlier if I had been available.... RT also gave me his call phone number.

So, grade as of now is a C- Let's see if they can do better next marking period!!

J

How Much Do You Trust Your DME?

How Much Do You Trust Your DME?

Like any other business

Used car salesman

Mask

Additional Comments: Also use Swift Nasal mask

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Avg. AHI .4