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Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
#11
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
(07-03-2019, 07:56 AM)John24 Wrote: The local company my doctor sent the prescription to is AeroCare.  They've got mixed reviews, some very negative, for the local branch.  I also see some good and bad experiences with them here.

I haven't even seen the actual prescription to know what's on it.  The doctor's office sent it directly to the DME.  

The masks are the main reason I want to try a local provider.  I sleep either on my stomach or nearly on my stomach because a pillow is underneath one side, with my arm under the pillow, my mouth open and half my face buried in the pillow.  I'm expecting masks to be a nightmare for me.  If anyone has any mask recommendations for that type of sleeping position please share.

I may also reach out to an independent local DME that seems to have legitimate glowing reviews.  

I find that DMEs can often have mixed reviews due to 1) what the person is going to them for (ie: wheelchair vs frequently resupplied things like CPAP supplies), and 2) how choosy they are (ie: some people are happy to take whatever vs I want to choose what I want to make myself the most successful I can be).

You are entitled to a copy of your Rx.  Ask the DME or your dr for it.

DreamWear is great for stomach sleeping because it vents out the top of the head rather than at the face.  Just make sure the vent isn't blocked by your pillow.

A DME with glowing reviews?!  Try them first!!!!!  You may have stumbled upon a unicorn.
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#12
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
Get a copy of your script and the sleep studies. Don't let them tell you it is stuff you'd not understand. It is your right to keep these on file.
PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




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#13
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
The company let us leave a couple hours early today, so I went by the DME with good reviews. The respiratory specialist was in and was happy to chat with me. They have a 30 day return policy for masks, which is reassuring. She immediately recommended the Airsense 10 Autoset with my insurance coverage, and she has them in stock (though not the for her model). They don't charge for the cellular monitoring, and can gather the data for my doctor and compliance information for insurance. Unsolicited she explained about the different insurance billing codes for the APAP and the humidifier, saying they're behind the times with newer models having it incorporated (though I'm sure they don't mind the extra profit). She even worked through the math with my insurance terms and deductibles versus buying outright. She also said the first visit supplies, mask etc, would probably be around $180, depending on the mask (the other DME said $500). I stopped by my doctor's office on the way home to get my prescription, sleep study and doctor's note sent to her. Overall I feel much more comfortable with this DME, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
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#14
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
.
Hi John24,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck with your DME appointment and with your CPAP therapy
trish6hundred
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#15
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
Sounds like you found a good DME supplier. Go with your gut and trust it.  Bigwink
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#16
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
Awesome!!!!

I agree with Paula. No matter how it all ends up, you will want your own copy of your full sleep study (not just the summary) as well as your diagnosis and Rx. You may/will need it down the road, and it'll be FAR easier on you if you have it in your possession.
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#17
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
John24, did that nice person from your new dme provider say they would not hit you with a separate charge for the humidifier? if so, would you pm me the name of the dme provider? not sure if okay to specify in main forum. I'm getting letters from a collection company and my credit score has been going steadily down as I have refused to pay this double charge. I could use an example of a provider that doesn't double dip this way to bolster my position.
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#18
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
(07-03-2019, 07:06 PM)sheepless Wrote: John24, did that nice person from your new dme provider say they would not hit you with a separate charge for the humidifier?  if so, would you pm me the name of the dme provider?  not sure if okay to specify in main forum.  I'm getting letters from a collection company and my credit score has been going steadily down as I have refused to pay this double charge.  I could use an example of a provider that doesn't double dip this way to bolster my position.

No.  Sorry if I implied that.  I'm getting the feeling that everyone charges it that way, because insurance allows it as a separate billing code.  Doesn't seem right to me either.
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#19
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
(07-03-2019, 07:06 PM)Hydrangea Wrote: Awesome!!!!

I agree with Paula.  No matter how it all ends up, you will want your own copy of your full sleep study (not just the summary) as well as your diagnosis and Rx.  You may/will need it down the road, and it'll be FAR easier on you if you have it in your possession.
I do have my full sleep study.  I had my doctor's office scan and mail it to me after my last visit.  

The last page of the sleep study actually was a prescription, I just don't know for sure if my doctor used it.  Looked like the sleep study company automatically generated it and it just needed my doctor's signature and some boxes checked if she wanted to use it instead of writing one out herself.

   
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#20
RE: Any tips or warnings around DME appointment?
Had my appointment with the DME today. It was a big relief after reading all the DME horror stories. I got an Airsense 10 Autoset with humidifier and a heated tube. Everything was sealed and the machine has zero hours on it. She let me try out several masks and types. For now I'm trying a Fisher & Paykel Eson 2 mask with a chin strap, as it was comfortable and seemed to hold the seal well while testing. I can return the mask any time within the first 30 days if it doesn't work out. I'm pretty sure we have stray SD cards in random drawers at home, so I look forward to trying out the OSCAR software.

One strange thing did come up at the end. According to the information their billing lady gave us, my insurance (Anthem BCBS) won't cover supplies like replacement masks, filters, tubes, etc. during the 10 month rental period. Has anyone ever encountered something like that? I'll be checking with my insurance company, but thought I'd ask here as well.
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