Is my DME right?

Janknitz wrote:I think Crapria in particular drop ships everything, so the local Crapria stores don't keep much if any stock. OP's mask was probably not really a special order. I get my office supplies the same way, from a company that has an extensive catalog, but no brick and mortar store. I call one day, it's waiting in my office the next morning. Amazon does this sort of thing too, with some regional warehouses, though not overnight.

You must be right since my mask was just delivered and they just ordered it yesterday.

I tried it on and the mask seems a little big -too close to the eyes- from the reviews I read I'm a little worried because I saw that there is a standard and a small. I got the standard. The DME told me there was only one size and I was wrong that there was 2. Maybe after adjusting when I go to bed tonight it might fit better.

Print out the page for the mask that shows it somes in more sizes than they say; and take it to them.
Tell them they made a mistake; and correcting it is on them.
The salesperson may just be ignorant.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Resmed ... dgear.html
Note the price; if you are out of pocket, this can be a godsend! The insurance for the same mask (for her) is only $3.74--YES!

Perhaps a lot of the DME's just don't stock a nice variety and the special orders are necessary. I know that my DME stocks mostly ResMed and will get in a sample mask from a different supplier occasionally. MY DME says that the reason they stock ResMed is that they are the most reliable for the patients at her clinic.

melindy wrote:*pugsy not pigsty. Stupid phone.

Thank you for a good chuckle. All the time I see examples of auto correct bloopers, but to watch it happen in real time was fun. Sorry about laughing, no harm intended.

Hope the mask you have coming works for you. Question for those in the know while this is being discussed, I am now wondering about the whole DME mask return situation for the companies who do allow returns within the 30 day window. Do the manufacturers require the actual mask to be returned? Who absorbs whatever losses? Does the patient's insurance get reimbursed for the returned mask then charged for the next one? Otherwise, how would they handle price discrepancies? And, if insurance does get reimbursed then recharged, does the eligibility period start at the time of the first or the last purchase? Lastly, if there is a refund to the insurance, isn't it then in their eyes as if it never happened and one gets restored to eligible status? Not trying to be dense, just trying to get a fuller picture of how this works. Getting ready to get a new mask thru Medicare - first one in a couple years.

kteague wrote:Question for those in the know while this is being discussed, I am now wondering about the whole DME mask return situation for the companies who do allow returns within the 30 day window.Not trying to be dense, just trying to get a fuller picture of how this works. Getting ready to get a new mask thru Medicare - first one in a couple years.

Do the manufacturers require the actual mask to be returned?

No

Who absorbs whatever losses?

The manufacturer will credit the DME for whatever they paid for that mask (assuming the DME does the proper paperwork).
The DME then gets charged for the price of the new mask.

Does the patient's insurance get reimbursed for the returned mask then charged for the next one? Otherwise, how would they handle price discrepancies? And, if insurance does get reimbursed then recharged, does the eligibility period start at the time of the first or the last purchase?

The insurance or Medicare is NOT involved in the transaction at all.
They do NOT even know this is occurring.
The eligibility period begins at the date of the 1st purchase.

Lastly, if there is a refund to the insurance, isn't it then in their eyes as if it never happened and one gets restored to eligible status?

NO refund to the insurance company.
Would be more of a hassle than it is worth.
Even if it could be done, I can not see any DME wanting to take that on.

Ugh! The mask is a bit too big with the corners a little into my eyes and the bottom hanging over my lips like I was worried about. Will sleep with it tonight and see if I can make it work at all.

Does the patient's insurance get reimbursed for the returned mask then charged for the next one? Otherwise, how would they handle price discrepancies? And, if insurance does get reimbursed then recharged, does the eligibility period start at the time of the first or the last purchase?

Nope, remember, most insurers follow Medicare's lead. ONE amount allowed no matter which mask you get. So they don't care what mask you get, they pay no more, no less.

Kind of curious that there can be a $30 or $40 range in the price difference in masks, but DME's don't seem too bothered, even though this amount could be lost every 3 months. But they will fight tooth and nail not to provide a data capable APAP which has about the same price range difference.

This discussion has cause me to relook at my paperwork for the recent mask exchange. She did write that the DeVilbiss mask that I was returning (less than 30 days after receipt of it) had leaks around corners of mouth and eyes. Usually she gives me my yellow copy of the paperwork without comment. This time, as I recall, she said 'you don't need this do you'? I asked for it anyway. Now I'm suspicious, but prepared to be neutral about it.

Spoke to DME today, and they're actually sending me the smaller size for no charge. Since the RT didn't measure or check the mask sizes before she ordered it they said it was fine. Hoping this size works because the flexibility of the mask and the small size of the forehead piece is perfect for me.