Posted by Sylvia D |
- New rules....
Posted by ElaineNY on 9/4/2009, 10:11 am, in reply to "Concentrator"
205.188.117.20Mayabe this will help clear up some questions..
http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/pubs/pdf/11405.pdfLink: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/pubs/pdf/11405.pdf
Post a Response - Re: Concentrator
Posted by PennyPA on 9/3/2009, 11:54 pm, in reply to "Concentrator"
75.222.115.216I have the Invacare Homefill, too, and really enjoy the freedom from zillions of little tanks it gives me. If the noise bothers you, why not just put it in a room that you seldom use (a guest bedroom, perhaps?) Human voice is rated at about 57 decibels and the Invacare unit is about 58 or 59 decibels so it's not all that loud. Of course, if yours is excessively loud, it might be an older unit (I've had mine for 6 years or so) that needs a good going over. Apria can supply you with another concentrator because they can get one from another branch. But, changing to Lincare, as others have suggested, might be the best choice since they are much better in customer relations. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by nancy ma on 9/4/2009, 7:51 am, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
68.239.12.80MORNING
I QUESTION CHANGING TO LINCARE. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THEM FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. 4 NEW MANAGERS, AT LEAST A DOZEN NEW CUST. SERVICE PEOPLE WITH NO ONE KNOWING WHAT THEIR DOING.
THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN ME!!!! THEY COME WITH LESS TANKS. I HAVE HAD TO CALL CORPORATE TWICE. IN FLORIDA.
I WENT AWAY 1 MONTH AGO ORDERED MY OXYGEN 3 WEEKS AHEAD , GOT THERE AND NO OXYGEN. THIS WEEKEND MY GRANDAUGHTER IS GETTING MARRIED AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE OXYGEN DELIVERED TO 3 DIFFERENT PLACES.IT FINALLY GOT THERE YESTERDAY . I WILL BE THERE TODAY.
TOLD THEM ALL I COULD RUN THAT PLACE BETTER THAN THEY ARE. IF SOMETHING IS BROKE YOU FIX IT.THEY HAVE NO COMPETITION, IF THEY DID I WOULD BE LONG GONE.
HAVE A GOOD DAY EVERY ONE
NANCY-MA. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by PennyPA on 9/4/2009, 9:06 am, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
75.237.247.229Nancy, it seems you're the only one having trouble with Lincare. As far as the O2 being delivered yesterday for your granddaughter's wedding, you said you won't get there 'til today so that worked out just fine.
I guess all companies might have some bad branches but I also guess I'm one of the lucky ones in that I haven't met a bad branch yet and I've been in around 10 states. Again, each state has many different branches so kmy odds of meeting up with a bad branch are zero to none, probably. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Luke on 9/3/2009, 8:36 pm, in reply to "Concentrator"
63.131.224.150There have been many complaints on this board about Apria. Joe's advice is good. Start with Lincare and then just go down the phone book and ask what they will do to make your life better with your O2 situation. I found a company that provided me with a Sequal Eclipse for both home and portable use. It works well for me because I don't need it often during the day. Be the squeaky wheel. You are not required to go to any one company. Luck!! - Re: Concentrator
Posted by JoeO FL on 9/3/2009, 7:28 pm, in reply to "Concentrator"
65.8.166.26Is this your first experience with O2? If so, you can always inquire with some of the local O2 providers and see what they have available. There is only one other manufacturer that makes a unit similar to "Home Fill" and that is Devilblis (sp).
The other option is to do what many of us have, and that is just a concentrator and the provider furnishes us with the O2 tanks and periodically replaces the empties.
Joe in Fort Lauderdale
- Re: Concentrator
Posted by CarolCA on 9/3/2009, 9:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
98.248.53.53Is there some reason that you have to go with Apria? Insurance? If not, call Lincare. Knowing the area you live it I wouldn't expect much out of Apria. They are really bad in the Bay Area. Another company that is very good in your area is Pacific Pulmonary. Email me, Syl. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Sylvia D
on 9/5/2009, 12:12 am, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
69.236.70.201I use Apria for my diabetic & nebulizer supplies so it was the way of least resistance. Where is Pacific Pulmonary? I found Lincare in Sunnyvale and will call them Tuesday. Going to make appt w/pulmo and discuss this with him. He wants me on O2 when I'm up and around and sleeping. I don't think I need it that much. Want some portable unit when I'm up and around outside and golfing. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by John O. on 9/5/2009, 10:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
69.129.197.8See if Lincare has liquid and if so they'll likely also have a lightweight portable called the Helios. Here's a site with the various units, and more:
www.portableoxygen.org - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Martha on 9/5/2009, 9:59 am, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
68.12.160.104I used to be with Pacific Pulmonary when they bought out the local company I was using. They stopped providing liquid oxygen and they also did not provide Salter products. They offered tubing and cannulas from Cardinal, if I remember correctly. Whatever the name was, they were quite substandard and I had to buy my own on the internet. I quit them. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by CarolCA on 9/5/2009, 5:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
98.248.53.53They have a good reputation here, Martha, where Sylvia lives. They are giving out the Eclipse to new patients according to some of those that come to Better Breathers and just went on O2. I don't know anyone else doing that around here. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Martha on 9/5/2009, 6:13 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
68.12.160.104I'll never forget what they did when I asked for a cannula equivalent to the Salter 1616 micro-cannula. They brought me a pediatric cannula with prongs so short and close together they must have really been for an infant. Anyone would know it wouldn't work for an adult so I could only take it as being a huge notice that my needs were not important. They couldn't just say we don't have those but felt it necessary to give me a good swat. I could just hear what they said in the office. "give this to the [expletive] and see how she likes that!" I relieved them of the burden of having me for a customer and made sure everyone I knew on oxygen and in my doctor's office knew why I changed. It really was a shame because the people at the company were very nice to deal with before they were bought out. The driver told me they had lost a lot of customers.
They are headquartered in CA so they probably are more sensitive to customer relations in their home state. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by CarolCa on 9/5/2009, 10:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
98.248.53.53No,they are very bad here. They have absolutely no idea what they are doing according to my friends that must use them due to their insurance. They are always messing up deliveries and have changed management and employees so many times. My O2 company was started by disgruntled Apria employees years ago and they are great and have the same people working and delivering for many years. I don't think anyone would go willingly to Apria around here but unless you know better they are the most well known. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by E Mohr
on 9/3/2009, 8:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
12.64.24.20Speeking of concentrators. There do we stand with Medicare regarding who owens the consrntrator after five years. I have lost track on what they have decided. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Pat - NC on 9/4/2009, 5:50 am, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
72.150.138.111My Lincare manager told me just this week that their central office would be calling me later this month to replace my concentrator as I have had it almost 5 years. He had told me previously that I had a choice. I could keep the one I have after 5 years and it would belong to me and I would have to pay for service if any were necessary but if I got a new one after 5 years useage of the one I have, they have to perform service as the concentrator will still belong to them.
Pat - NC - Re: Concentrator
Posted by PennyPA on 9/4/2009, 9:08 am, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
75.237.247.229Your Lincare manager was incorrect in stating that you would own the machine and have to pay for service after the 5 year time limit. He most definitely would want you to get another one (not necessarily a "new" new one but new to you) so they could start billing Medicare again. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Pat - NC on 9/5/2009, 6:38 am, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
216.77.229.165Maybe I phrased that incorrectly. He DOES want me to get a new one - but I have the option of keeping the one I have. And the reason for getting a new one is so that Medicare would continue paying if they own it and not me - but if it is more than five years old I would definitely have to pay for any service to it. Medicare would not. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by PennyPA on 9/5/2009, 2:07 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
75.194.91.69Why would you want to keep the one you have, then? If yours is 5 years old, there are newer models that might be quieter, lighter, etc. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Pat - NC on 9/5/2009, 2:58 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
216.77.229.165I never said I wanted to keep the one I have now. I said that the manager told me I had that option. Of course, I'm going to get another one. I may be stupid but not that stupid.
Pat - NC - Re: Concentrator
Posted by Sylvia D
on 9/3/2009, 7:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
69.236.67.38Yes, this is 1st experience. I called Apria who is the supplier and that's the only concentrater they have. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by RickF
on 9/3/2009, 9:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
75.74.107.192In the two years that I've been on o2 I've used four or five different brands of oxy-cons. They are all noisy, some more then others. I'm presently using a Puritan Bennett that not to bad. Its right beside my bed. If for whatever reason I don't want to use the concentrator I'll use the Helios liquid o2. No noise at all. - Re: Concentrator
Posted by CarolCA on 9/3/2009, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Concentrator"
98.248.53.53Unfortunately Apria in this area, at least, is not giving out LOX to new customers unless there requirements cannot be met with compressed. You are fortunate to still have the LOX.