+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one (/Thread-Puzzled-new-machine-exchanged-for-used-one)
Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - Caniss - 08-03-2021
Greetings!
I'm brand new to CPAP and was hoping someone might be able to give me some advice regarding a situation that I find a bit odd...
My doctor placed my CPAP order in mid April with her choice of local DME supplier. After much prodding I finally received my machine on July 12th. (Roughly three months delivery time seems a bit excessive, no?) There was no discussion of options or really much else, just a very brief mini-lesson and that was it. I managed to read up on specifics and all was well. I had very little trouble and absolutely LOVED how much better I felt. The machine was AirSense 10 by ResMed, and I was using the MyAir app. Everything was going splendidly.
Then out of the blue, about two weeks in, the supplier called me to inform me that a driver would be out to switch out the machine. When I asked why they told me they "didn't know". I specifically asked if it had anything to do with the recall and was told no, absolutely not. I thought this was weird, but complied. The driver gave me a "new" machine in a clear plastic bag. It didn't look new, but what do I know..? I asked him as well why it was being switched and he had no idea.
Anyway, immediately when I started it that night it had a weird smell, reminiscent of incense. I'm super sensitive to smoke so that annoyed me right away. I got up and changed the filter which made no difference. I had trouble going to sleep due to the throat and airway irritation it was causing but managed to go to sleep a little after midnight I believe.
About 3 am I was awakened by the mask flapping and refusing to stay in place. I tried to adjust it thinking maybe I had moved and messed it up. Nope. Couldn't keep it in place. I checked the machine and the pressure said 13.2. I'm supposed to be at max 7. At that point I was angry because my lungs were burning. My heart was pounding and I felt very bloated. From swallowing air I suppose..?
I couldn't go back to sleep so spent some time finding out that my "new" machine had 667 runtime hours on it. This I presume is perfectly fine and allowable, but for the life of me I cannot understand why they would have taken my machine, which was working perfectly for me, and swap it for one that was not even properly set up. The clinician has been unreachable by the way, so I returned this machine yesterday.
I'm on Medicare and according to them I'm well within my rights to switch suppliers. Trouble is that my primary doctor seems set on not giving my prescription to anyone but this local DME. She says SHE likes them and they'll work it out. They had just changed the unit due to a recall... She tells me that X from this supplier will call me today, but this person is the exact same person who handled my return yesterday and at that time said there were no notes or comments whatsoever and he couldn't explain why the unit was switched. It was not recalled.
I just don't want anything else to do with them now. The whole thing feels deceptive. Am I really in the wrong here? Thoughts, anyone...?
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - staceyburke - 08-03-2021
Having 600+ hours means it was a used machine. Is it also a resmed S10 Autoset? If not my guess is they had a Rx for another patient for a ResMed and did not have the machine - but you did. So they took yours gave it to the person that had a Rx for the specific machine and gave you the one they had. BTW the Autoset is the best machine and if you got a different brand I would raise he--...
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - Caniss - 08-03-2021
I THINK it was the same kind of machine, just used. Not 100% sure though. Already out of my hands. I just made sure I took photos of the ID numbers on the back, and downloaded my stats from MyAir. Either way, I'm kind of angry still. I have never seen my prescription, so I have no clue what it specifies.
Seems like this will now be in limbo for who knows how long. Is the doctor allowed to force me into using a particular supplier...?
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - factor - 08-03-2021
Sounds like Medicare fraud to me.
Bill Medicare for a new machine for you.
Then take it back and give you a used one.
I would report them and switch DMEs.
A used machine with smells ummm NO!!
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - factor - 08-03-2021
Get a copy of your prescription and your full sleep study. It is you personal data. They have to give it to you.
I don’t have Medicare but Medicare shouldn’t care who the DME is.
I am sure others will reply.
This may help to
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Insurance_and_Medicare
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - staceyburke - 08-03-2021
No you can use any supplier you want. I would contact insurance and ask for BBB a list of suppliers in your area.
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - Caniss - 08-03-2021
Thank you for confirming my suspicions! I have already notified Medicare and found a new DME. What's holding it up now is doc's insistence on her own choice...
That's what Medicare told me. I had already found one but everything on hold now if doc won't write a new prescription apparently. Thank you for replying!
But I'm told doc has to write a new prescription. Is that true?
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - factor - 08-03-2021
Maybe you need a new doctor to.
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - OpalRose - 08-03-2021
It is NOT your doctors choice who you use for a DME! It is your choice. Call your insurance back, ask to speak with someone higher up and ask for a list of DME's that they have a contact with in your area.
Then start calling around to see who you want to work with.
Also... call that doctor back and demand that they release your medical records to you. That includes any sleep study you may have had and a copy of your prescription. This is a HIPPA law. She/he can't withhold that from you.
Ask someone from your insurance to intervene for you.
RE: Puzzled - new machine exchanged for used one - Caniss - 08-03-2021
(08-03-2021, 03:24 PM)factor Wrote: Maybe you need a new doctor to.
I sure hope not... Just transferred to this one after my original one moved out of the area. She is my primary though. Guessing I might be able to get my pulmonologist involved if this drags on. Thank you so much for your input! Sure helps to know I'm not just being whiny and unreasonable.
