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[CPAP] Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
#1
Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma

Greetings, and thanks from a Beginner to all of you who have developed and contributed to this Forum – it’s a wonderful resource! I think that I now have a reasonably good handle on selecting a device and initial mask. My concern – one that seems to be quite common from looking at posts in this Forum and others – is about the challenge of finding a good local DME supplier (or at least one that is passably honest, informative and efficient).  
 
After 10 days of diligent online research, I’ve concluded that:
(1) the prospect of reliably identifying a good local provider is a needle-in-haystack task – especially if you have limited time to call/visit and methodically compare a number of them;
(2) though it’s possible that some insurance plans will provide some reimbursement for online purchase of devices/masks, this is not a great idea for a beginner (unless you know an experienced respiratory therapist who can walk you through their appropriate use); and
 (3) best way forward is to avoid “making the perfect be the enemy of the good” (i.e., avoid long delay in getting started) -  by selecting a DME in your insurance network with a minimum of terrible reviews (e.g., Yelp and BBB) and who does not send up too many red flags in your initial contacts with them.

My impression is that once you have engaged a provider and gotten off the ground, it is possible to make changes later, understanding that this will entail some additional expense and hassle. Am I on-track with this approach? I would appreciate any thoughts from those of you who have negotiated this process!  

My particulars: I’m a guy in his mid-60s living in Metro Atlanta and recently diagnosed with uncomplicated moderate-severe OSA.  I was prescribed PAP following a home sleep study (Rx: Autopap one device/ sig: use at bedtime autopap w/heated humidifier, supplies, mask patient choice. 4-20cm/h2o. length 99 months. dx g47.33).
My specialist’s practice is not affiliated with a lab or supplier and the Rx was faxed to a DME in my area. The staff told me to expect that I should hear from the DME in 1-2 weeks, after they had run through insurance information, etc… . When I determined that the DME initially chosen by the medical practice was “out of network” I asked the office for the names of any others who they thought might be reasonable. The one that they named (without great enthusiasm) is in my preferred network, and the Rx was sent to them as well (I am currently waiting to hear from them).    
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#2
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
Sounds like you've done everything you can. Welcome to Apnea Board!
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Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.



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#3
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
Hi BostonPH, Welcome to Apnea Board!

It sounds like you have done your homework.  Here is a great Wiki resource that may help.

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...with_a_DME
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#4
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
Welcome to Apnea Board.

I agree with the others, you have a good handle on this. I'll just add one thing that I did. Correct me if I've got it wrong, but I think you said there was a 1-2 week timeframe of waiting to hear from the selected DME about the CPAP pickup appointment.

I would wait that 1 week only, then call them. Check on the progress. I had to do this myself to keep them actively moving the process along.

This likely was in you post as well, but I'm just being certain: have you made choices on which mask and machine you are requesting? If yes, great. If not, decide and tell the DME your choices. These are your choices to make, within the parameters that are specified by the doctor. Check up on the script info and request a full hard copy of that and the sleep study too. Yes you have a legal right to these by the way.

Best wishes on your soon to start therapy.

PS: If you've not read the wiki article for beginners, you may review that for lots of great pointers. See the bottom of my post for a link.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#5
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
If you haven't already 
read the Dealing with a DME Wiki article and go in with knowledge.  
Read the New with Apnea and 
the Mask Primer also.  

And questions, Ask them here.

Welcome aboard

Fred
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#6
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
We like assigning homework, but the info bonjour pointed you to will really help make this process as easy as possible. After homework is done, help yourself to free coffee and donuts.

Coffee
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#7
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
Hi BostonPH,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck as you start CPAP therapy.
trish6hundred
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#8
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
As a beginner, use the DME until you get things settled down. They'll make whatever adjustments you need, they'll swap out masks for you until you find one that works best for you.

After that, you know what you use and how to use it, so get replacements online. You can turn in receipts to your ins. co. to apply toward your deductible.
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#9
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
Thanks Dave, Fred and others for guidance - I had not seen the Wiki pages, which were quite helpful. Also appreciate the recommendation to call DME  early and often after knowing that  MD office  has sent out the Rx.
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#10
RE: Choosing and working with a DME: A Beginner’s Dilemma
A few further Beginner's questions about strategies to select a local DME:

1. I notice that there seem to be few very user reviews of local DME suppliers. Is this a  forum policy or is it more a matter of the very large numbers of these businesses across the country and the likelihood that they change practices over time, etc... . . If there is a site on this forum that I've missed, please do let me know.

2. Are there sites other than YELP and BBB (not a whole lot of reviews at either, for Atlanta anyway) that are worth trying to find for reviews of user experiences?

3.  Is there any way to find out whether a local supplier carries particular machines (other than by visiting or calling each of them)?

Thanks!
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