I hope it is kosher to ask if anyone has good experiences with Durable Medical Equipemtn suppliers in the DC area.  If it isn't kosher to post - then PM me please.  Then I can verify that they are on the list of my insurance company.  (There are a lot of suppliers on the list)

Thanks

hmm - well as I call the medical suppliers that are listed by the insurance company (blue cross) I am down to only two options within 10 miles of my house which is in a major city!  One option does not do data capable machines, one does.  I will keep looking around - but the choice is getting simple.

What type of machine are you looking for? I can't believe they wouldn't have data capable machines for regular cpap/apap in that area. wow...not real helpful, sorry.
-me

Well - the one place that has data capable machines that my insurance will cover (there is a question about another place - they have them but insurance might not cover them) the one place so far that has data machines carries only Resmed - but can get other brands.

They recommend the resmed S8 -

I live in the city so I searched for providers within 10 miles and came up with 2 that I can reach by phone that sell cpaps.  There may be more farther outside of the city.

I have a resmed s8 elite. Fortunately or unfortunately my dr has prescribed an apap because my numbers were up even with the cpap. A resmed s8 Elite II has a newer motor and is 75% quieter. I am going for a ResMed Autoset II for the new quieter motor. All 3 of these are fully data capable. If your doctor writes the prescription for a particular machine the DME could order it I would think.

good luck
-me

There are generally the chain DMEs, such as Lincare and Apria.  I believe there's a DME called Roberts something, with two or three in the area; I believed my brother used that one.  And check the yellow pages for medical equipment providers.  I've not used any of them personally, but at least you can call around and ask your questions.

You might consider contacting some of the AWAKE support groups in the Washington, D.C. metro area, even if outside of the city.  They might give you some local pointers.  You can find a list of the AWAKE support groups in the ASAA's main website www.sleepapnea.org.


Linda


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Linda wrote:

There are generally the chain DMEs, such as Lincare and Apria.  I believe there's a DME called Roberts something, with two or three in the area; I believed my brother used that one.  And check the yellow pages for medical equipment providers.  I've not used any of them personally, but at least you can call around and ask your questions.

You might consider contacting some of the AWAKE support groups in the Washington, D.C. metro area, even if outside of the city.  They might give you some local pointers.  You can find a list of the AWAKE support groups in the ASAA's main website www.sleepapnea.org.


Linda

Thanks - I didn't see Lincare, Apria or Roberts Home Medical on the insurance list - though one of the DME suppliers in DC said he likes Roberts and didn't like the "bigger companies."  I will call my insurance company about Roberts in the morning.

I called the AWAKE contact person for DC.  The other groups are probably too far away to be helpful with info.

So, thanks for at least two good leads - maybe more.

http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?p=22951&highlight=roberts#22951

Another thread with info on DC and Maryland area DME providers

I got my stuff from Bay State Medical.  (They are on Carefirst BC/BS, don't know about other insurance cos.)  My parents have used them for a few years, and they've been very helpful.  They came to the house to do a fitting and orientation about the masks and machine and were extremely helpful.  

I believe they cover MD-DC-VA.

Thanks