My Present DME Cannot Provide TapPap

I suspect the answer is on the board but I cannot seem to couch the question properly in a search.

I am quite happy with TapPap which I bought out-of-pocket. My DME (I am a new CPAP patient since August 2013) says they cannot source TapPap. What are my options? Obviously I can continue out-of-pocket. Can I switch to a company that sells the mask and then submit an insurance claim after the fact? Is it a new ball game after the 12-13 month "lease" period? Can I simply source masks one place and let the machine process run with the existing DME? I suspect Medicare (my insurer) does not care, but I don't know that.

Thanks for any thoughts. If this is an old question a simple link would be wonderful.

Yes...you can purchase your supplies from a separate DME from the one that is supplying your machine. However, if you are on Medicare, you are limited to the DMEs authorized by the Competative Bidding Program.
http://www.medicare.gov/supplierdirectory/search.html

According to Medicare, a contracted DME is not required to provide a particular mask, but they must direct
you to a Medicare provider who will provide the mask you need. Alternatively, you may contact the manufacturer
to request a list of DME's in your area who have the TapPap. You can then check which ones are listed in the Medicare providers.
(Click on my link below, and insert your zip code.) Medicare providers who are not contracted may require additional charges,
but those are limited by Medicare. --I am not sure how this is handled if you are in a competitive bid area.
You may need a letter of medical necessity from your doctor to get a provider to order it if they are uncooperative.
Do not expect this to happen quickly. Good luck!

Thanks for the links.

I chased down the suppliers in my competitive area and I can determine if they can supply TapPap. That is merely tedious telephoning. Is it considered "bad form" to get masks from one and the basic machine from another? Once the thirteen months have passed and I "own" the machine is there any obligation to continue to deal with the initially providing DME supplier or does it convert into a relationship between me and Phillips?

---About the mask sales: Heck no! It's your health. Many of us use more than one pharmacy for various reasons.
If anyone even mentions "loyalty", they do NOT deserve yours!
Machine rental stays with the selling DME, you may be able to have extended service elsewhere, but do ask Medicare.

Chilibit wrote:I suspect the answer is on the board but I cannot seem to couch the question properly in a search.

I am quite happy with TapPap which I bought out-of-pocket. My DME (I am a new CPAP patient since August 2013) says they cannot source TapPap. What are my options? Obviously I can continue out-of-pocket. Can I switch to a company that sells the mask and then submit an insurance claim after the fact? Is it a new ball game after the 12-13 month "lease" period? Can I simply source masks one place and let the machine process run with the existing DME? I suspect Medicare (my insurer) does not care, but I don't know that.

Thanks for any thoughts. If this is an old question a simple link would be wonderful.

Hi,

I am from the manufacturer and are open to supplying any DME, and are competitively priced. Many will supply the TAP PAP, but it does depend on our location. The best thing I can offer you is to find your local Lincare, they are a national chain and have locations all over the country. They are also authorised to order the TAP PAP in to each branch, even if they do not hold stock. So find a Lincare branch, and change to them.

Regards
Mask Guy

Any DME can get any mask.
All you have to do is convince them it's less trouble to get you the mask you want, than to put up with your constant nagging all day, every day.
Talk to the manager, the VP, the owner and everyone else you can track down.
It also helps to get your doctor to write the prescription for exactly what you want including the manufacturers part number, and state dispense as written on the prescription.

I do appreciate the thoughtful responses. You have helped my understanding. I appreciate it.

I wish it were that easy. It's all about profit. If they cant make a profit, you're "sorry outta luck". I have found the Tap Pap good enough to pay for myself, which takes away my DMEs "profit". If everyone did this they would learn quickly, but I'm afraid its going to take time because a lot of people want them, but refuse to pay for them.

I intend to keep using the TapPap for the foreseeable future. I may be able to follow the Lincare path. But I also want to neuter any attempt by the existing DME company to send replacement parts for the mask I DON'T use. If out-of-pocket is the only alternative, so be it.

Chilibit wrote:I intend to keep using the TapPap for the foreseeable future. I may be able to follow the Lincare path. But I also want to neuter any attempt by the existing DME company to send replacement parts for the mask I DON'T use. If out-of-pocket is the only alternative, so be it.

Your DME should not be sending any supplies you don't specifically ask for. Tell them to stop any automatic shipments.

Tell the current DME if they cannot provide parts for the mask you use, then you will have to get them somewhere else.
Remind them that you are likely to need new pillows periodically for a long time, since you USE your machine.