Aggravated by dme

[cariaad]

When I placed this month's order my regular person wasn't there and I had to talk to a new RN who is "reviewing and touching base" with all patients. I gave her my list and then i asked if i could order a box of 10cc slip-tip syringes. First, she asked why, and i told her for measuring and administering meds thru g tube directly. She said, well, we cant give you those because we wont get reimbursed by medicaid, you should be using medicine cups and the 60cc syringes with an extension kit. I told her I find this more accurate and convenient but I was OK with her not ordering them as I can get them from the pharmacy. It's less convenient but I can deal with that. Then she asked why I wasnt ordering 60 cc syringes this month, and I told her I got 4 last month, I dont use them that often and I dont need more at this time. She came back with "well, we prefer you change them out every month." Duh, change out something Im not even using? Then I only received 4 MICkey extension sets instead of the 5 I usually get. Im just wondering if it sounds fishy to anyone else? I cant wait for Monday when my normal contact will be there and I can ask her what's up. Deb
PS Ive always gotten the 10cc syringes when I asked for them before. Usually once a year.

[Kara Beth's Mommy]

Deb,
I have a whole box of 100 you can have of the 10CC syringes.
I have 2 boxes and we are not going thru many at all anymore. Just let me know
Rachel

[hcs_mom]

Deb,

There is one gal at our DME company that does the same thing. I think it's fishy indeed. Sometimes, I thinks she's trying to be helpful by "reminding me" but when for the 3rd month straight I tell her that we don't use ABC anymore...let it go.

I know that it's a business and they ultimately need to make a profit, but sometimes I just want to scream, "Back OFF!"

Jennie

[Jessica's Mom]

About 3 months ago, I realized that my equipment company was still billing my insurance company for a second pulse ox machine that I had returned in Sept of 2004. Also, once we got rid of the vent, they continued to bill my insurance company for about 3 months. I told my insurance company about it and everything was straighten out, but what I really would like is a break down of exactly what they bill my insurance company, but they won't send it to me. I think they are a little confused as to why I care so much if my insurance company is overbilled, what they don't understand is that first I am an HONEST person, and second, Jessica now has a million dollar cap on her insurance and EVERY PENNY counts!
________
Glass bongs

[cariaad]

You ought to be able to ask the insurance company for copies of billing. I did that when we had Aetna and Apria (2 very...umm...hard to deal with companies. ) I found a lot of repeat billing and billing for things I never got. It took almost a year to sludge thru the invoices, but we were working against a cap as well so I did it. Deb

Rachel: Ill try to call this weekend! Thanks

[twintotwin]

Ewe Deb! Did you ask the RN why THEY preferred you change out the 60 cc's? I don't know who you'd go to at Medicaid to complain about this DME, but someone should know about this abuse.
She should've just said to you "medicaid doesn't pay for the slip-tip syringes, but you are welcome to purchase them from us yourself". That would have been good business.

I keep every packing slip I get from our DME. I am curious to see what our insurance is paying for. We have a $2.5M cap EACH child. I know we are already at $2M for each of the twins! I am surely counting every penny too.

~Kerry

[cariaad]

Louise, Im sure your brain is NOT pea sized...the system can be confusing even to those of us who deal with it daily.

Yes, changing out means throwing out.

When you reach your cap you are responsible for all charges afterwards I believe. We have Alli on medicaid now so it's no longer a worry.

I get aggravated when someone who's never met me or Alli, doesnt know our history or anything, tries to tell me how to take care of her "the best way" I believe Im Mom and my way is the best way until I decide otherwise!!

Deb

[madelyn and rynns mom]

It's horrible how they think they know what you need and what is best!!!We get a TOTAL of 4 syringes each month. You have to choose between 10cc for meds. or 60cc for feedings, and Maddy is about 90% g-tube dependent!!!! We also only get 1 extension for her button each month, and no matter how you clean them they get nasty fast!!!! Maybe they shoul eat through the same extension for a month when there's no real way to actually scrub the inside!!!!

Kris

[cariaad]

We've been getting 5 extension sets per month for quite some time, until this month we got 4. You can buy a package of pipe stem at the hobby store and use dishsoap, plenty of hot water and a pipe stem to clean the inside really well. Since we use the pump for Alli's feedings, the 10 ml would benefit us so much more. Rules are so bizarre. Deb