Does anyone here use a CPAP machine? Need good DME supplier (home, live)

[milkit]

Hi, I am looking for a DME supplier in the Bay Area that has CPAP machines and supplies. Are there any recommendations here from you guys? If it matters, I have Medicare and Medi-cal as I am disabled.

My doctor sent the prescription to a place called Nationwide Medical for a ResMed machine, but they have bad online reviews and they have not called me at all in 2 weeks to arrange a meeting. I am going to tell him to send the prescription elsewhere, based on your recommendations.

[JJonesIII]

Originally Posted by milkit

Hi, I am looking for a DME supplier in the Bay Area that has CPAP machines and supplies. Are there any recommendations here from you guys? If it matters, I have Medicare and Medi-cal as I am disabled.

My doctor sent the prescription to a place called Nationwide Medical for a ResMed machine, but they have bad online reviews and they have not called me at all in 2 weeks to arrange a meeting. I am going to tell him to send the prescription elsewhere, based on your recommendations.

I have no idea on what places are covered by Medicare or Medi-cal. I use SleepQuest.

[milkit]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. Do you like them? Do they try to sell you unneeded supplies?

[Johann510]

I've had OK experience with Nationwide. Have you had your initial consultation at home ?
In my case, my initial home consultation was conducted by a local company that is contracted
by Nationwide. My contact with Nationwide only began after that first step. My phone
communication with Nationwide through the phone number on their website went OK after that.

[JJonesIII]

Originally Posted by milkit

Hi, sorry for the late reply. Do you like them? Do they try to sell you unneeded supplies?

Yes. They have certain guidelines that they follow to recommend replacement hoses and cushions, but there was never any hard selling. A couple of times I told them I wanted to hold off or reduce the number and that was it.

On the initial mask, they give you an option to switch to a different one at no charge (i.e. nasal mask to full face).

[milkit]

Originally Posted by Johann510

I've had OK experience with Nationwide. Have you had your initial consultation at home ?
In my case, my initial home consultation was conducted by a local company that is contracted
by Nationwide. My contact with Nationwide only began after that first step. My phone
communication with Nationwide through the phone number on their website went OK after that.

Thanks Johann! I don't feel comfortable letting them in my home for various reasons, so that is why they have to be close by, so I can go to their office the first time at least. But it is good to know they are reputable.

Originally Posted by JJonesIII

Yes. They have certain guidelines that they follow to recommend replacement hoses and cushions, but there was never any hard selling. A couple of times I told them I wanted to hold off or reduce the number and that was it.

On the initial mask, they give you an option to switch to a different one at no charge (i.e. nasal mask to full face).

Ok, so you gave them a good recommendation then. That makes me feel better! Thank you.

[Johann510]

I've found that the representative "assigned" to calling you for the refresh supplies is more knowledgeable about the rules of when you can order another mask type or return it than the generic representative in California HQ that you get when you call the website phone number. So it helps to get the contact info for your assigned representative who must be in a different department. Mine was based in some office back east (NY?).

Many people, including myself, go through several masks before they find one they can live with. Try to hang in there.

I had to go to a nasal pillow mask before my central apnea events went down.

[milkit]

Originally Posted by Johann510

I've found that the representative "assigned" to calling you for the refresh supplies is more knowledgeable about the rules of when you can order another mask type or return it than the generic representative in California HQ that you get when you call the website phone number. So it helps to get the contact info for your assigned representative who must be in a different department. Mine was based in some office back east (NY?).

Many people, including myself, go through several masks before they find one they can live with. Try to hang in there.

I had to go to a nasal pillow mask before my central apnea events went down.

Thanks Johann for that advice!

I used a nasal pilow in my sleep study, and it turned out great. I am glad it worked for you too. All the masks I tried leaked at the higher pressures.

[CaliforniaPlaya]

I do believe Apria is an approved DME supplier for Medicare. Good luck!
https://www.apria.com/medicare/