Northern, Illinois DME suggestions

I have just completed my 2nd sleep study (slept in cpap) I was given a sheet of paper that had home healthcare providers and I was to pick one. I picked Freeport Home Medical Equipment since it is in Belvidere and close to my home in Poplar Grove. Has anybody had experience with this company? Any other suggestions before I commit to these people? I feel great after that sleep study using the mask all night.

I don't have any experience with the company you mentioned, but have used Health Technology Services in Northbrook. If you're in their service area, they come to your home to set you up with the equipment, and after that, they send your supplies by mail without mailing fees. I was very happy with them. I only changed providers because Medicare in Illinois now wants recipients to use a limited set of providers, and they aren't on the list. Yet they were very helpful when I had to switch and referred me to a mail order company very similar to them which also has given me good service, the CPAP Care Club.

I hope everything goes well for you! There's an online article which I don't have a link to right now called "What you need to know before you meet your DME" which has some excellent advice. I'll try to get the link and post it.

Here's the link

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

thanks for the reply. I was contacted by the Pulmonologist office today. I was told the doctor was going to be watching my therapy and I would need to bring the card from the machine in to be read. Now Apria calls me a few hours later to tell me that they have my prescription. They say the doctor wants me to have respironics but not sure what model. they claim to only have a pressure number. Then I was told that my insurance covers 80% and I am responsible for the other 20%. They will call me back with how much I am going to owe. I don't like them so far, not exactly sure why.

if you picked Freeport Home Medical why did Apria get your prescription? I would call the doctors office and tell them to fax your prescription to Freeport Home Medical, not Apria. Follow your gut.

oak wrote:if you picked Freeport Home Medical why did Apria get your prescription? I would call the doctors office and tell them to fax your prescription to Freeport Home Medical, not Apria. Follow your gut.

The papers I was given to bring home had the paper I circled at the hospital so I am guessing that is how they choice Apria. Anyway after writing the Freeport Medical I never received a response. They claim to answer within 24 hours. never heard anything. I have appointment set with Apria on Monday at 9:00am. My CPAP is supposed to be a respironics System One

You may want to read this before meeting with them if you haven't already read it:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

oak wrote:You may want to read this before meeting with them if you haven't already read it:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

I just finished reading this. My 20% copay is $147 so I say whatever machine they have in store for me is $735. If I don't like what is going on can I just leave and not sign any papers?

mabzmuzik wrote:

oak wrote:You may want to read this before meeting with them if you haven't already read it:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

I just finished reading this. My 20% copay is $147 so I say whatever machine they have in store for me is $735. If I don't like what is going on can I just leave and not sign any papers?

Yes, you can just leave and not sign any papers. If the DME tries to make you sign something about refusing treatment, just tell them you plan on shopping for your equipment elsewhere and walk out the door.

robysue wrote:

mabzmuzik wrote:

oak wrote:You may want to read this before meeting with them if you haven't already read it:

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

I just finished reading this. My 20% copay is $147 so I say whatever machine they have in store for me is $735. If I don't like what is going on can I just leave and not sign any papers?

Yes, you can just leave and not sign any papers. If the DME tries to make you sign something about refusing treatment, just tell them you plan on shopping for your equipment elsewhere and walk out the door.

Thank you very much. I am ready for Monday

I use Lehan Drugs in DeKalb. I HIGHLY recommend them.

If your Doctor is going to want you to have a Respironics machine, I suggest you read this post I found from Pugsy which describes which machines to get--very important!!

"Confirm exactly which model number they are planning to give you.
Not all models will give you the data you want on that SD card.
You need model 450 or higher.

That "you can't get your own data" thing is a bunch of BS. SleepyHead software works with the PR System One machines but the DMEs aren't going to be familiar with that software at all. They are thinking Encore software from Respironics and even that is available to the patient. Encore Viewer 2.1 is available for purchase by the patient and there are other Encore software products for free if you know who to ask.
Don't tell them you know about Encore though...it will just muddy the waters and they might play hardball just because they can.

The latest models in the PR System One line are the 60 series machines which have the heated hose option...it's an option that is worth having especially this winter. You may not need it now or ever but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

In the 60 series models...full efficacy data
The 460 is the PR System One Pro CPAP....fixed cpap with limited apap trial days....
The 560 is the PR System One Auto CPAP...has both fixed cpap mode and unlimited apap mode available...

So with the PR S1 machines....model number is very important and is easily seen on a sticker on the bottom of the blow unit."

oak wrote:If your Doctor is going to want you to have a Respironics machine, I suggest you read this post I found from Pugsy which describes which machines to get--very important!!

"Confirm exactly which model number they are planning to give you.
Not all models will give you the data you want on that SD card.
You need model 450 or higher.

That "you can't get your own data" thing is a bunch of BS. SleepyHead software works with the PR System One machines but the DMEs aren't going to be familiar with that software at all. They are thinking Encore software from Respironics and even that is available to the patient. Encore Viewer 2.1 is available for purchase by the patient and there are other Encore software products for free if you know who to ask.
Don't tell them you know about Encore though...it will just muddy the waters and they might play hardball just because they can.

The latest models in the PR System One line are the 60 series machines which have the heated hose option...it's an option that is worth having especially this winter. You may not need it now or ever but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

In the 60 series models...full efficacy data
The 460 is the PR System One Pro CPAP....fixed cpap with limited apap trial days....
The 560 is the PR System One Auto CPAP...has both fixed cpap mode and unlimited apap mode available...

So with the PR S1 machines....model number is very important and is easily seen on a sticker on the bottom of the blow unit."

I will tell them I want the DS560TS (REMstar Auto 560 with Heated Humidifier and SystemOne Heated Tubing). If they refuse I will just try somewhere else. I am anxious but I will not take anything less then what my fellow Sleep Apnea friends here at the forum help me with. I really appreciate the guidance here. I have been eyeing that S9 Resmed. Just because I like the color screen, lol. I will make sure I don't give them my copay until I actually see what I am getting. I know my doctor's office always ask for copay when you check in. I am not sure how APRIA does it.

make sure you get their policy on trying masks. some will allow as many masks as you want to try within 30 days (within reason of course) and others will only allow one switch. some allow you to return ANY mask as long as it is returned within 30 days. (they get a credit from the manufacturer). mine only allowed one switch but I found my "joy" mask on the second try. try to find a place at Apria to put the mask on while reclining. they fit differently when lying down. they should give you ALL THREE nose cushions when selling you the mask. mine didn't--and I didnt know any better. they resell the other cushions and make more money that way, i think, or else its a "control" issue.

oak wrote:make sure you get their policy on trying masks. some will allow as many masks as you want to try within 30 days (within reason of course) and others will only allow one switch. some allow you to return ANY mask as long as it is returned within 30 days. (they get a credit from the manufacturer). mine only allowed one switch but I found my "joy" mask on the second try. try to find a place at Apria to put the mask on while reclining. they fit differently when lying down. they should give you ALL THREE nose cushions when selling you the mask. mine didn't--and I didnt know any better. they resell the other cushions and make more money that way, i think, or else its a "control" issue.

What all should be included when I go? I was told just for the machine my copay was $147 anything else would increase my copay. For some stupid reason I thought I would get everything