Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sharon Michalove on May 2, 2009 at 8:43am

After I saw my doctor I actually had an appointment with a specialist at Apria who went over the equipment and settings with me, explained everything, made me practice with the mask and taking the machine apart and putting it back together. When the first mask caused open sores on my nose, she switched me to the nasal pillow mask. Now that I am having trouble staying asleep, my doctor has recommended a different version of the machine (both have heat and humidity) and I expect that I will have the same type of consultation with the Apria person. I am just waiting for the insurance approval to come through for the change and they are just waiting for the doctor's notes to be sent over since they have the prescription and the information from the smart card from my current machine. I do feel that Apria has been very helpful and they are fortunately only 5 minutes from my house.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Barbara on May 2, 2009 at 12:29pm

When I woke up after 2nd night titration study all the electrodes, bells and wistles were removed. I was given about 1 hour to shower, dress, and get ready for the day. When I got out of the shower coffee and sausage biscuit were sitting on table next to bed waiting on me (I thought the coffee was a nice touch). During my hour of getting ready, watching morning news, and drinking coffee the sleep tech & sleep doc were apparently reviewing test & preparing orders. Doc came in and told me results. A little later a DME lady came in with a big black bag full of CPAP. Of course I was ready to go back to bed by the time she got there but basically she gave me the machine along with directions for use. I tape recorded her after telling her I was 1/2 asleep and wouldn't remember anything she was going to say to me.
Mike, my story seems like a vacation compared to yours. Do you know why you had no face to face with anyone. There were so many people in my face I was on the verge of being irritated (probably short tempered due to being so sleepy). It seems like in your situation they expect you to figure everything out for yourself.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Judy on May 2, 2009 at 1:55pm

I got a LOT better treatment than you did, Mike. BUT, I sure didn't get the service that you two gals did!!!! My first local DME supplier insisted I make an appointment to come in and see their RT. Three masks were shown to me and tried - sitting up w/no CPAP to turn on. I don't remember that I was shown how to set up or operate my Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR but fortunately the Resmeds are SIMPLE to attach the integrated heated humidifier and the water tank easy to remove, fill and replace.

My second local DME supplier was better, they sent someone out to the house w/my Resmed VPAP Auto who showed me how to operate it (by then, of course, I had a pretty good idea). When it came time for me to try a different mask they sent someone to the house w/a large selection of masks that I could try. He left two or three for me to try for a week at a time. They do now mail my preferred mask, hose, filters, etc. to me as I need them. A simple phone call is all it takes for next day delivery, two days at most, or if I am in the area (they aren't far from me) I can stop in and pick up what I need.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve Gardner on May 4, 2009 at 10:48am

In many cases, unfortunately, your experience is typical ... lots of DME companies suck when it comes to customer service. I was lucky ... my sleep lab has a full DME department and they fitted me for my mask and provided the machine. Then they called me several times to make sure everything was ok and to remind me that I could always contact them if I was having difficulty.

Steve

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rock Conner RRT on May 4, 2009 at 2:31pm

Sad but true, there is wide quality variation among CPAP delivery experiences. DMEs aren't all bad, though. Some insurers pay so poorly that the $75 it takes to put a licensed professional in the home for a CPAP setup just isn't there. Frankly, the money people at most health insurance payers neither know nor care about the quality of CPAP machines. Whether it's a Resmed S8 AutoSet II w/ EPR or a Cheapo Repo, it's all E0601 on the billing statement. Remember, if the insurance company is paying the DME dealer $375 for the CPAP w/ humidifier, you're not gonna get the high end combo that costs the DME dealer $425. You're gonna get the entry level that costs the DME dealer $250.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on May 4, 2009 at 7:02pm

I had the DME/Lincare come to my house over a lunch hour. (He wanted to bring the machine to my WORKPLACE!) I met him at my house over the lunch hour, he pulled everything out of the bag, threw it all together and said, "Here you go!". I received the same nose mask I used in the sleep study, I had a split study. He gave me a mask that was WAY too big,, but didn't have me try it on before he left. So the first night the mask covered the corners of my eyes..I called him back and 2 days later he dropped off the LT Swift for women nasal pillows. I put the pillows on backwards because I didn't know how it worked....

I have switched doctors for my sleep support to my ENT who is local. She is setting me up with a different DME. I hope I can get the Resmed S8 AutoSet II w/ EPR I requested.(Because of reading all the great advice on this forum!) I have a difficult time breathing out against the CPAP pressure which is set at 11. It is a panicy feeling and I wake up several times a night. I am hopeful that this new DME will be just the ticket and that I will finally get the machine that will work for me.

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion