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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
        
(Message started by: DennisM1045 on Oct 5^th, 2007, 1:19pm)

Title: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 5^th, 2007, 1:19pm

Does anyone else deal with Apria?

I changed jobs in July and, because the new place has CIGNA insurance I have to change O2 suppliers. I’ve been on the phone with Apria four times over the last 10 days trying to work through what I need. 10 days! I’m glad my existing supplier, HCS, gave me a delivery last Monday even though they knew they wouldn’t get paid for it. BTW: I loved dealing with HCS and will miss them terribly. I think I’m beginning to understand just how much. This is what we agreed to.

1 m-tank
3 e-tanks
1 50’ tubing kit
2 adult non-rebreather masks

Last night I cleared out the place I wanted the m-tank and put all the equipment from HCS out on the porch. Finally the delivery guy shows up at my house this morning. I couldn’t be there so my wife took the delivery.

He dropped off the m-tank with a 15lpm regulator but only and one e-tank, no 50’ tubing and only one mask. WTF? Says I should have some tubing left over from HCS and why don’t I just use that. He also wants me to keep using the e-tank regulator from HCS till he can “find one”. Doesn’t tubing have to be change every few months? This stuff has been in the bedroom since June.

Next the delivery guy starts telling her that at 15lpm I’m going to go through O2 way to fast. WTF? I read that as “making his job harder”. Like I care! Doesn’t he get paid by the hour? Since when does a delivery guy do more than deliver? My script is only for 10lpm but regulators that go over 8lpm typically go to 15lpm. If this bastard fishes up a 10lpm regulator I’m gonna flip the f#$k out.

I’m just pissed and venting. It’s just I’m having a hell of a cycle this time around and I simply don’t need this s#$t pilled on top of everything else. Sorry but that’s just the way it is. Just give me what we agree to and go the f^&k away!

Next I want to know how many weeks in advance I need to schedule deliveries.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed
Post by Ray on Oct 5^th, 2007, 1:37pm

Dennis:

My condolences to the death of a working relationship with an oxygen supplier and moving on to another supplier who is acting this way.

I'm still working out my arrangements with mine. I had to cobble together some of my old equipment with the new demand valve (myself) and go pick it up myself. I am hoping against hope that they will redeem themselves -- but maybe not....

Sigh,

Ray

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed
Post by billyjoe on Oct 5^th, 2007, 1:53pm

I've had a good experience with Apria. I just get the m-tank and 15lpm regulator. I can get as much as I want. You basically are just renting the equipment and the O2 is free. It is best to get as much as you will need on the day they deliver into your area. They do not like to do special trips, but will if you insist.

My only problem is UnitedHealthCare sent me letter saying they will do this for the next few months only. Fortunately, I really don't need it much anymore.

Good luck.

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed
Post by Guiseppi on Oct 5^th, 2007, 2:09pm

You have a tough group to deal with is all I can figure, unlucky for you. :-[ I agree it's none of the drivers business how the heck much oxygen you do or don't use, I'd have asked for his license to practice medicine and told him to go pound sand!

I've had awesome luck with Apria, I make a phone call and they swap empties for fulls the same day. I'm allowed 4 e-tanks but currently have 6 full and 2 partially full tanks. Hoping it settles down for you, CH'ers certainly don't need any additional stress. ;;D

Guiseppi

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed
Post by Linda_Howell on Oct 5^th, 2007, 7:09pm

I have recently switched from Lincare which is nationwide to Apria and have no problems with Apria at all. I think you just got one bad apple in a bunch of other-wise caring & professional people.

If you want, I can send you non-rebreathers, bubblers and as much tubing as you need. Let me know Dennis & PM me your address and it will be in the mail.

Linda

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 5^th, 2007, 11:52pm

Thanks for the perspective guys. The delivery guy made a return trip tonight. I was home this time. Turns out he is pretty knowledgable and was only trying to help. He didn't know anything about clusters. I fixed that for him ;;D

He brought the two missing e-tanks and a 15lpm regulator for them plus 50' of tubing . (I can't wait for Ben to start selling clustermasx again.) He promised to bring the 2nd one by on Monday or Wednesday. Those are the regular delivery days for my town. Looks like this is going to work after all 8)

Maybe I was just expecting the worst after all the difficulty I had getting things set up in the first place. Sorry for the noise.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not im
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 6^th, 2007, 12:26am

I've used Apria for years, Getting started at first with them was looking problematic until I got a local guy on the phone that happened to be an RN, I still have his name, Bill, and phone number to reach him because he seemed so important to me at the time when I needed him but I don't think he's accessable anymore.
He knew about clusters and solved my problems with ordering a 15Lpm regulator and non-rebreather when my script read 8Lpm. They first delivered canola tubes with a lesser regulator, even some other apparatus that I forget now, and basically told me that's the set-up, and what I wanted was not in regular stock, or whatever. Lucked out with a certain customer service guy.

A delivery missed at first here and there but special trips made after hours once or twice. I just leave the empties on the porch and come home now to full tanks waiting whenever I need to order. Their day in my area is Monday but have made special trips for me on other days.

BUT... got a call yesterday from a Jim at a different number concerning my delivery and something very differerent has changed in logistics.
Now they come out only once a month and I have a regular day. For me its Oct 22, then Nov. 19th and so on. If I need more, less or none, three day advance notice, I'd imagine a special trip if necessary.
Unusual for me to digest since sometimes I use little and sometimes an "E" tank a day "as needed". So, this is what I have to work with now and will figure out how to adjust. Figuring a month's supply seems intangible, I used to just order when low, figuring advance of no more than a few days. This seems more rigid but will try to work with the change they've instituted.

Don't know if this will eventually change in all areas they deliver but it's presently the new way for me to manage with them. They were a preferred provider with Aetna so became the mainline.
Insurance could change in the future and if starting over with a different company comes to be, hope it can be a smooth transition. DON'T like problems when it comes to that.

on 10/05/07 at 13:19:15, DennisM1045 wrote:

I have to change O2 suppliers.

BTW: I loved dealing with HCS and will miss them terribly.

Know how you feel, bro. Best of luck.

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by Ctech on Oct 6^th, 2007, 2:38am

I have Lincare... [smiley=huh.gif]

It took me a couple of weeks to get a 15 LMP and the guy that brings the 02 says (said) he will (would) bring me an "H" tank??? I'm glad I had some M tanks left (I never saw the "h" tank) Also my cycle ended about a week after the last M tank delivery arrived.

Lincare will not be getting the M tanks back until next cycle (then I will find someone else ;)) I have 8 &1/2 left 8)

02 RULES!!!

-Chris

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 6^th, 2007, 8:54am

Hey Chris, You have 8 1/2 M sized tanks? They're like 4' tall and weigh 80lbs. Where do you keep them?

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by GaWd on Oct 6^th, 2007, 1:38pm

Apria just delivered O2 to my house on Thursday. I'd say overall the visit was nice, BUT:

They delivered 3 22# tanks with the tubing kit and only a nasal cannula. I asked him for a mask, and he told me the Rx said tubing kit w/intranasal, and he suggested I call them.

I called and asked and I can't believe it, but they really want me to call Kaiser and have them put through another "prescription" for a stupid mask. It would probably cost me another copay for it, too.

I need to hit the med supply place for a $2 non-rebreather mask...

Sam

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by BMoneeTheMoneeMan on Oct 6^th, 2007, 2:18pm

on 10/06/07 at 13:38:39, GaWd wrote:

I called and asked and I can't believe it, but they really want me to call Kaiser and have them put through another "prescription" for a stupid mask. It would probably cost me another copay for it, too.

I need to hit the med supply place for a $2 non-rebreather mask...

Sam

If you hit the med supply place, make sure to bring your prescription with you.

Also, you should be able to call your doc's nurse at kaiser and get a message through to your doc that you need a non-rebreather mask. Have him or her update your record to show that you need 10 to 15 lpm with a non-rebreather.

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not im
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 6^th, 2007, 2:33pm

on 10/06/07 at 00:26:58, Kevin_M wrote:

They first delivered canola tubes with a lesser regulator, even some other apparatus that I forget now, and basically told me that's the set-up, and what I wanted was not in regular stock, or whatever.

never forgot, but didn't include here, jonny was the first to help me with this situation until it took quite a time to resolve when it first happened and I was so pissed off. ;)

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by E-Double on Oct 6^th, 2007, 2:56pm

I have nothing but good things to say about them.
They're as good as the local guy I had and they even try to push more on me lol.
They call to make sure that I have enough and if they do not hear from me in a while they call to see if still in need.
When my insurance wanted to stop THEY let them know the nature of the condition and that there will be times that I need more and times that I need less but it is necessary for me to have it on hand regardless.

On a non-CH note...When my daughter was on Elecare which is a special formula which costs $200+ for a case of 6 it was Apria who took the lead and got it covered 100% when my insurance gave me the runaround and said that it would not because it was food. This was despite the fact that it was a medical necessity.

They're gold in my book and you probably just got a p.o.s. of a worker.

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by Brewcrew on Oct 6^th, 2007, 3:07pm

Apria has been outstanding for me. One of their guys even stopped by - off the clock, on his way home - to change out a faulty M-tank regulator for me.

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not im
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 6^th, 2007, 3:26pm

on 10/06/07 at 15:07:42, Brewcrew wrote:

Apria has been outstanding for me.

Yes, what didn't seem to generally reflect from my earlier posts after beginning with them, I've had years of excellent service and such accomondating for clusters should be well regarded and acknowledged.

:)

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by DennisM1045 on Oct 6^th, 2007, 3:30pm

Thanks for the reassurence guys. It's good to know that others are getting good service.

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Apria – So far, I’m not impressed: Updated
Post by billyjoe on Oct 8^th, 2007, 10:01am

Only bad part is I'm starting to get promotional material for powered wheelchairs! Apparently, they presume if you need O2, your old and disabled. :)