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Permalink Reply by Judy on April 24, 2009 at 7:26pm

Have you called to ask them what the hold up is? Have you called your insurance company and asked what your DME CPAP benefits are and what local DME suppliers they are contracted with? Hopefully you will have the option of more than just one.

You know, you can just sit back and wait to get proper therapy. OR - you can take an active part in your health care and CPAP therapy. Its going to be up to you to contact your local DME supplier's RT or your sleep doctor when you are having problems. They can't help w/a problem they don't know about. And it may well be that you are going to have to keep on them to provide the service and assistance you need and they get paid inflated prices for your equipment to provide.

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Permalink Reply by David Davis on April 24, 2009 at 7:48pm

Thank you for the information. I have made several calls to the company so maybe you're correct about calling the insurance company I hadnt thought of that one.

Judy said:

Have you called to ask them what the hold up is? Have you called your insurance company and asked what your DME CPAP benefits are and what local DME suppliers they are contracted with? Hopefully you will have the option of more than just one.

You know, you can just sit back and wait to get proper therapy. OR - you can take an active part in your health care and CPAP therapy. Its going to be up to you to contact your local DME supplier's RT or your sleep doctor when you are having problems. They can't help w/a problem they don't know about. And it may well be that you are going to have to keep on them to provide the service and assistance you need and they get paid inflated prices for your equipment to provide.

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Permalink Reply by PD Laire on April 26, 2009 at 5:22am

yeah, I'd dump that equipment provider. if they can't even go out of their way to make a sale, then how will they be when they have no money to gain from getting back in touch with you, say to answer a question or troubleshoot a problem. do you have alternatives in your area?

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on April 26, 2009 at 9:47am

Your doctor sent the order for your equipment? I see a big red flag!

Immediately I have questions. Did the doctor provide you with a script of any type? Did he give you a copy of your sleep study? If he didn't - GET THEM !!!!!!!!

I wonder if the physician is receiving a kick back from the supply?

To me it sounds as if this physician is locking in his re-occurring revenue source and that is you and other patients he sees. That is not good for you and a very poor ethical practice on his/her part.

You immediately need to get a script from this doctor for your *PAP treatment and the script needs to be non-descript of a manufacturer and type of mask. These are decisions to which you can make, based on what you find to be the most comfortable. It he locks you into a certain mask and it agitates the wearer, the wearer will become disgruntled and discontinue using the devices.

You need to be able to shop around, as the pricing for the equipment varies widely. You may have insurance, but if you have a co-pay it makes a big difference in the out of pocket expense you have to come up with. 20% of $3000.00 compared to 20% of $500.00 ($600 compared to $100).

You also need to get a script for the distilled water you need for the humidifier. That may allow you to deduct its cost from your taxes as a medical expense.

Get the script(s) and get a copy of the sleep study. They are yours and you WILL NEED them later. Your general practitioner will need to know the information also. Once you secure these items, MAKE COPIES and retain them for your records. You will need them again. These items are key to your continued *PAP success.

Most of all - question everything he/she says and educate yourself.

If the physician bulks at your request, you need to locate a reputable and ethical physician. Notify your insurance carrier as to his failure to provide the legitimate script(s) and study results, the state medical board, and most of all anyone and everyone you know to prevent them from falling prey to a bad "doctor".

Good Luck.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on April 26, 2009 at 10:27am

My pcp gave me my script. I immediately went to a local DME had it filled.

Several weeks later another DME called and said they had my equipment ready and wanted to make an appoint to come out and set it up. I had forgotten that I had told the sleep center that I had wanted that particular company for my provider. I bet it was well around a month before they contacted me. In my mind I thought that was crazy -- why did it take a month for them to contact me. I told them I didn't need their services as I had already had my script filled.

I suggest if you have a script in hand -- do the same. Go elsewhere if you haven't signed for anything yet.

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