I went to my DR on Wednesday.  I need the machine and all the "stuff" to go with it.  He is PUSHING me to go to the place that I had the sleep study done.  To the point that he told his receptionist to call them and set it up.  Well, the receptionist gave me their number and told me that I could make the call, which I appreciated.  

I call around to find someone who sells the equipment.   It is NOT as easy as you think it would be.   I finally find one place.  I need to fax them my RX and my sleep study.   It is in the car, so will do it on Thursday.

On Thursday, I fax them my RX and sleep study.   Also, I call the place that my DR is pushing me to go.  I get Voicemail, so I leave a message.  

Friday, I have not heard from EITHER of them.  At lunch, the Dr's place finally calls back and leaves a VOICEMAIL.  I call them back and oh, they take my insurance for the study, but NOT the equipment.  Refers me back to my insurance company!  AUGHHH!!!!!  I call the other place back.  Ask if they have received my fax.  After the guy going away and coming back to ask: my name, and what kind of equipment, he just dumps me in a voicemail.  I leave a message, that I have no idea why he dumped me here, but this is what I need to know.  By the end of the day, no answer.    I did find another place who sells the equipment.  I told the lady what I needed.  She said well, we have to have some paperwork.  I told her that I had the sleep study and the RX, she said, oh, we need more than that.   Do you want to call your Dr's office and get what we need, or would you like me to?  I told her to go ahead, as I had no idea what else they need.    That was about 2:30, on Friday, so I never heard back, which did not surprise me.

Is anyone else having trouble finding someplace to buy this equipment.  I have Tricare insurance with a supplement, so I do not think that $$ is going to be the issue.   How totally unreal this situation is.   I am glad that it is not a matter of LIFE and DEATH!!  I guess if I knew what kind of mask I wanted/needed, I would just order off the internet.   What a pain!!!

I have Tricare Prime, no I had no problem, just the opposite places where knocking down my door to give me the equipment.  They delivered it then ask if they could set it up in my bedroom.  The only problem is once the mask they give you touches your face it yours, they will not let you try on several models to see what you like.  So I ended up with the swift, which is a good nasal mask. It is too bad that there is not a standard operating procedure for these supply places.  Well it is standard that they get paid.


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mamamama-  I am about 1 hour south from you in Carthage.  If you don't mind a bit of travel to get better service, call Family Medical Supply in Pinehurst.  They have been wonderful with me.  I got my CPAP a week ahead of what I expected.  Their CPAP guy is a respiratory therapist who has been using a CPAP himself for 10 years.

I have heard that there is a sleep center in the Raleigh area that is more business oriented than concerned about helping patients.  I have been incredibly fortuneate with my experience here.

I have a friend from another group who is in Raleigh and on a CPAP.  I will ask her who she uses if you like.

Well, I finally got a call back today from the company that I called on Friday.  They set me up to come in tomorrow and I they appear to be very interested in getting this taken care of.  I was worried that I was going to have to go somewhere else to get what I needed.  About two hours later, the lady that I left VM with on WED called and sounded stupid.  i "think" I have your information, and I "think " I got your paperwork.  There are some other things that I need.  I said, well, no you do not, because I found another company who icould get it in a timely manner.  

I am sure that my Dr was not really happy about this, because I am sure that he was getting a little kickback from the sleep center.  If I ever have to have another sleep study, I will not have it there.  I really felt like they were ALL about the equipment.    The tech that did it had already decided that I would need the equipment before I even came in.  

I just want a decent nights sleep!!!

Amyma, thank you so much for your offers.  You are so kind.

I have been using my machine for just 2.5 weeks, and I am getting sleep.  I had real dreams last night.  I hope you start to feel better right away as I have.

Amyma, I hope so too.  I realized this morning that I have not had a lot of dreams of late.  Probably because I do not sleep deep enough.   I have gotten so use to not getting the sleep that I need.  I am really looking forward to this.  I want to get my energy back.  I have just not have any energy for so long!!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. !

Hey...relax...if all else fails, you can fax your prescription to cpap.com and they will gladly sell you what ever equipment your physician ordered...you need not submit your sleep study results to anyone...if your insurance company needs anything, your physician will forward it...if you are paying cash, I highly recommend cpap.com as their prices are unbelievably within the resources available to most...I found that the DME where I got my equipment charged my insurance company more that 4 times the amount that cpap.com was asking...anyway, relax...it will all work out...


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Joe Camel

OSA Feb '04
S-7 EliteCPAP Feb '04
AutoSet Spirit July '04
VPAPIII August '05 (CHF & MCTD)
Heated Humification
Mirage Activa Nasal Mask(previous Mirage Ultra Nasal Mask, Breese Nasal Pillows, Breese Nasal Mask)