DME Anti-Defamation League

In response to a posteriorly displaced poster’s recent posts on this board attacking the character of our league members, we would like to provide the following rebuttal:

DMEs are human too, we are no different than other regular folks like car salesmen, siding providers, telemarketers and carnie hucksters. We have worked hard to build our reputations much like the people in those time honored professions. Nothing fills us with more joy than when we have outfitted a new CPAP patient with their much needed equipment. Often you can hear the peals of laughter expressing that joy as you are heading out the door.

Many often complain about the expense of the equipment we provide, but few realize what is involved in providing our services. Watch the Antique Road Show you will see that vintage well preserved items often are worth much more than their contemporary counterparts. Scouring the supply stocks of bankrupt hospitals and medical practices demands the investment a lot of man hours. As a result of our effort you might just be the lucky recipient of a highly prized leather headgears, or that ultimate collectable the hand cranked CPAP. Sure we could provide the latest innovations. But do you really want your health being treated by bleeding edge technology?

Another thing people don’t consider is we are trying to keep up with the current design trends sweeping America. Yellowing silicone and stretched out head gear is our equivalent to pre-washed jeans. You the consumer do not have to worry about additional aging or any further stretching, we have done it for you. That dust we blow off the equipment in front of you is your guarantee that our products have been well aged for your benefit.

We are often accused of not listening, but this is truly the result of a language barrier and tolerance needs to be exercised by all of us. You must understand that we spend the majority of our day talking with Doctors and Insurance companies. They have a unique language that we have had to master in our culture. We do apologize for any miscommunication, as talking clearly and succinctly is our second language.

All we ask from you is that you take a moment before taking our names in vain. Think of our hard working members who literally spend minutes keeping up to date on which products to dissuade you from. Remember their families and how they benefit from helping you get better. Those private schools, Mercedes, European vacations are just a small repayment for how they improve your life and health.

I understand where you're coming from, but I guess there are too many people out there who don't do a good job as DMEs. I'm certain there are also really good DME's/companies.

Specifically I 've dealt with two equipment providers. I switched to the second provider because I felt that I shouldn't be questioned on whether or not I should try two or more CPAP machines, or needing another mask, etc. The first provider often didn't return phone calls or was totally unknowledgeable of equipment they were offering ( I sometimes felt I knew more about equipment than the DME). And that's not the way it should be for a company that's offering us a service and/or products!!

Anyway, the second company I dealt with, unfortunately, was no better than the first. They lost 11 pages of records faxed to them from my doctor to start out. I had to call them to find out what was happening, not the other way around. Most recently, I was given an appointment to pick up a new APAP machine. When I got there, I noticed the machine, stili in the box, sitting on the floor. It wasn't til I signed in that they realized that they needed to set up the machine and contact my doctor to get the "range" for the auto CPAP!! So I waited around, as they promised a quick response. Over an hour later, I was told that they would need to reschedule...my doctor was not familiar with an auto machine and didn't really understand what the range should be.

Two days later, I had to call the company, not the other way around, to find out that my doctor wanted me to go to a specialist as he did not understand what was needed to establish the "range". So now I sit without my machine, waiting for an appointment with a specialist. Of course, I know that the range will probably +_ 3 levels, but the DME refuses to make that decision on their own!

To go to another company would inconvenience (read piss off) my primary physician, take considerable more time and effort and there's no guarantee they will be any better, based upon my experience. How many "shot" should I give these unresponsive companies??

Sorry to ramble on, but it irks me when people don't do a good, even minimally good, job. So now you know why my confidence in DME's and supply companies is so low

mike, nicely put !
(subtle but deadly)



ROFL !!!

Hi, I read your posting and ALMOST thought you were being satirical. The roadshow is great for showcasing old furniture, etc., in which you keep your clothes, but CPAP is life and death to some people, and cutting edge science is what we're looking for to treat it, not something used and abused by someone years ago and ready to crack or disintegrate at the first sign of stress. I'm sure you (or whoever) all do a great job at refurbishing the old machines, masks, etc., but I don't even like to buy a 2nd hand sweater, let alone something covering half my face that I breathe into all night (regardless of 'sterilization'), nor do I want to have to worry about it's breaking down anytime soon, let alone not being replaced by new equipment because of the value placed on it. Certainly if one is looking for a quick fix to take to the cottage for wknds and doesn't want to drag their usual stuff back and forth, or they're going o-seas for a short time, or they absolutely have no way of paying for new, they may decide to chance the re-con. equipment, but other than that, I just can't see a lot of us getting excited about it. Sorry!

In response to a posteriorly displaced poster’s recent posts

This is a far a I got before I started howling!

Mike, you're really something.

O.

Selena,

I can't believe you thought he was serious!! Get a grip.

On the original post.

I truly believe that service and money grubbing exists to a great extent in other areas of people's lives, and I am constantly amazed by the people I meet every day that don't know they are being taken, and don't bother to find out or fight -- in lots of areas not just CPAP.

One recent experience I had was with a local pharmacy. Went there with my daughter's prescription for an antibiotic. She has trouble with pills so we got liquid. I stupidly didn't do the math until I got home (number of ml per dose times the number of doses times the number of days...) Found out we didn't have near enough. Went back. meds came in 3 size bottles 22.5ml, 30 ml and 15 ml. We needed the small bottle to complete the prescription. They wanted to charge me twice the coppay for the 15 ml bottle as I had paid for the 30ml. I said "no you made the mistake, fix it" Argue..... Argue.... I said lets call the insurance co.

They called, wrong extension for pharmacies, the insurance co wouldn't talk to me since they called the line for pharm's. Amazing. Of course I had no idea what they were talking about and wasn't going to give in based on the suspect pharmacy asking their own questions to the insurance co. The correct questions were not asked so far as I could tell.

I called my (patient insurance) line and, after 10 minutes of tough questioning (like "no, I want to know...."), assertained that IF they had done it right I would have had 2 bottles of 22.5 oz. I don't remember all the specifics on price, but I finally agreed to pay what I should have paid for the correct prescription but take the 15 ml and keep the 30 ml bottles. They could figure our how to balance their books when I left. They wanted me to stand there for another hour while they figured what to put in the cash register. No way. Not my fault that they messed it up and couldn't add. (Funny thing is when I first got there at the very start to contest the prescription a second person added it in front of me with a calcualtor and got the wrong number of total ml again). I had to show them on paper how to figure it out before they went OHHHHH!)

Bottom line is I will NEVER go in that place again. As it should be, just as it should be with a bad DME. And in my circle of local friends I will continue to tell the story complete with the name and location of the pharmacy.

I Vote.... MIKE MORAN for President !!!!

Before I start with my abbreviations, I'll let you know F/U = Follow Up.

So please do not misconstrue my meaning.


Dear "bad" DME Provider, ( And. NO.. they are not ALL bad.)


I just wanna say to the bad DME Providers out there.... F/U !

Yes... you heard me.... F/U !

That would be one of the keys to helping you find success with all of us down-trodden, poor CPAP machine users.

Whenever we call and you can't answer my question.... F/U with your answer !

Whenever we call and you say you'll quote me a price later... F/U with your price !

Whenever you say you will call me to tell me when my machine ships out ... F/U with your shipping date !

Whenever we call and you tell us you think you have the mask we want... F/U with your recommendation!

Whenever you tell us the Resp.Therapist is coming out on such and such a date.... F/U when you "confirm" the alleged date and time !

YUP ! That's mostly what we hoseheads want.. just F/U !

I apologize if I assumed that this what most of us hoseheads want to say to the DME providers who try to take advantage of us who have a serious medical condition and NEED the equipment they sell.

To all of the "Good" DME Providers... I say "THANK YOU !"

that ultimate collectable the hand cranked CPAP

Now that really beats them all! What every loving husband/wife/significant other should do for the other all night long!

MIKE, YOU'RE MARVELOUS! I had a lot of fun with my "Breaking News" stories.
Your response was priceless! I love subtety.l

I CANNOT believe ANYONE would think you were serious!
Even if you were, it was hilariously funny.
Oh, I got a load of oxygen laughing over it.

Thanks!

Mike, Mike, He's our Man
Make him Prez as fast as we can

Give him the power
to decide
which DME lives,
and which one dies.

I could go on, but I'm all f/u myself.
...now, what turn do I make to get to Bellevue?

DME = Dependable Moola Engine
DME = Dissemble, Misrepresent, Embellish

What I plan to do: DME = Direct Money Elsewhere

What I plan to do: DME = Direct Money Elsewhere

That's what I did today! It felt GREAT!

I cannot wait to call the local DME She-devil and TELL her she can PICK UP (for a change) the outdated equipment (and I bet the card will probably fall out of it first, Hey, she held my card 'ransom' for 2 days, why not reciprocate? She can pick one up at the swap meet while she's getting more equipment.

Hmmm - remember those discussions on 'things' that you shouldn't put into your humidifier????

Well, a gal can dream, can't she? Actually, we call it "planning ahead",

DME machines...."pricy"

Mike Moran's posts... "priceless"!!

Your quirky humor had me laughing out loud, as always, Mike!

RestedGal,

Would you PLEASE change your AVATAR?

You're just too damn cute!

...your secret Pal

Serious or not, I needed to vent! Frustration levels rising....

Let's invite Mike to be our special guest.........!

Telling the DME's .....errrrr Follow-UP
was almost as good as Mike's orginal post.

Definitel raised my spirits tonight.