Using Apria Healthcare for your o2.

[b.g.]

I haven't been posting much .... and I apologize for that, but I have seen more and more people talking about losing their insurance coverage for o2 for whatever reason (loss of insurance or insurance not covering o2 anymore), and the extremely high costs for using your local welder's supply store.

I have been using Apria Healthcare for my o2 for a little over 2 years now and I will NEVER use another company.  When I started on o2 my insurance covered it, and there was an Apria just a couple miles away from me.  I rented all the equipment I could ever want from them for $2.80 a month and they refilled all my tanks as often as I needed for free.  Just a flat $2.80/mo for everything.  I have 8 "E" tanks, an "M" tank, 3 regulators, and a fistful of plastic handles and rubber o-rings .... still just $2.80/mo.

I got divorced, moved out of state, and as of the first of the year I lost my medical insurance.

I was scared to say the least. 

Anyways, to make a long story short, I now live in the northwest corner of Ohio.  The closest Apria facility is an hour away and across the state line in Indiana.  I just made my weekly drive over there this afternoon to have my 8 "E" tanks filled and while I was there I cornered the warehouse manager and threw a few questions by him. 

Come to find out, when I call to have my "M" tank exchanged, it doesn't come from that particular facility.  Due to the laws and regulations, their drivers cannot cross state lines with tanks (I didn't ask why).  SOOOOO..... when I have my "M" tank refilled it comes from an Apria facility in Dayton, OH.  That's nearly a 3 hour drive from my house.

Apria has 550 locations across the United States and will make EVERY EFFORT POSSIBLE to get your o2 to you no matter where you live.  Even without insurance, my bill is a flat $18.80 per month.  I still have 8"E"'s, 1 "M", 3 regulators, and a fistful of free parts whenever I need them ..... I still get all my air free.  I can either drive for it, or have it delivered to me at no extra charge.

I have been nothing but thrilled with the service I have received from Apria, and today I found out that they will deliver to you no matter where you live ..... even if you live 3 hours away (or more) from their nearest facility.

Just wanted to share that little tidbit of information with those of you that have been having o2 woes lately for whatever reason.

Just visit "Apria.com".

In the upper right corner you can use the branch locator to find your nearest facility.  Give them a call and see what they can do for you!!

Wow .... after re-reading I sure sound like a paid spokesman   I assure you I am not.

[Bejeeber]

Man that's fantastic that Apria has been so good to you b.g.!

Unfortunately they weren't bending over backwards for me so much here in Nashville - I guess the service and value can vary according to local management.

It was a few hundred dollars for O2 from them over the course of 2-3 months or so, and I had one of their gals calling me and threatening to cut me off because she calculated that I was using more than my low flow prescription called for (I was of course going for the 'ol high flow action).

I found myself reflexively LYING and saying the doc approved high flow to which she responded she would call the doc and confirm that, so the whole deal was getting mighty creepy very quickly.

Technically she was justified, but I guess you can see why I wasn't as thrilled with Apria as you.

Also, at the outset a rep said they'd deliver O2 7 days a week. Imagine my delight when I called late on a Friday when in the middle of a whole lotta high cycle CH aborts and they said "Whaaaa? No we don't deliver on weekends and our last delivery has gone out today! Now you go have fun with your CH attacks and empty tanks - have a nice weekend". 

[b.g.]

WOW, holy crap Bejeeber.  Maybe it does have something to do with the local reps then?  That's some odd stuff right there?

My Dr. purposely wrote my script for 7-17lpm because he already knows about the hassles that can go on "out in the real world" when it comes to o2.  Bonus for me.... I know.  That way if a regular 15lpm reg doesn't do it for me .... I have a script that allows for more..... which means the 25lpm model.

Also, my script doesn't have any times/amounts on it at all? I have never been contacted by a person from my local store for anything ... ever? Sooo strange.

Seems odd too ... being a larger city like Nashville I'm sure they have more than just a couple CH patients that they deal with and should know better?

I definitely do not have the 7 day delivery system though.  That's why I choose to drive the one hour to get my "E"'s filled myself.  I can get them 7 days a week from 8am-6pm .... if I drive to get them myself.  My "M" tank delivery day is on Thursdays and Thursdays only .... I have to call them before noon on Wednesday if I want my "M" swapped out that week - or wait until the following week.

Have you considered asking your Dr. for a more detailed script? .... or actually I guess a LESS detailed script would be better

I just pulled my script out and for "Associated Diagnosis" it says:

Cluster Headache

Horner's Syndrome

Unspecified Asthma

I don't have any kind of asthma ... specified or otherwise.  I wonder if good ole Dr. Tepper just threw that on there to justify not having specific times/amounts per day or something?

Regardless, I'm sorry to hear you had such a bad time with them.  That's bad news right there.

The ONLY thing I do not like about them is they use an overseas company to handle their billing ... so if you ever have a problem with receiving/paying a bill you have about a 1 in 10 chance at talking to someone who speaks good english   but I do have a couple phone numbers for "higher ups" here in the states.  If you want those numbers just let me know.... maybe talking to someone in the company besides the rude chick at your local facility can get something done for you?

Best regards,

steve

[weatherman]

Hi Guys,

I too have been a very satisfied Apria customer, ever since being diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago.  I have Kaiser Insurance and Apria was just part of the deal.  I have never paid one cent because it's all included in the Health Insurance, and it's delivered to my door, any time except Sunday.  They will set up regular delivery, or I can will-call O2 whenever needed.

Their Travel Dept is wonderful.  They can have O2 ready and waiting at any hotel or residence that I have stayed.  That includes Florida and Nevada so far.  Pick up the tank at the desk when arriving, then drop it off at the desk when checking out, couldn't be easier.  I own my own regulators and Optimask and live in San Jose (near San Francisco) California.  My script just says "high flow 0@" and they don't carry regulators that go above 6 lpm output. 

They will deliver any size tank needed, I keep 6 "E" tanks on hand, and that lasts about 3 months now.  They even leave tanks on the doorstep if I'm not home (that happened only once when I went to the hospital).  Tank stands, valve wrenches and all the tubing are also free.

My script just says "high flow O2".

Amazing how much the quality of service can vary with different geography.  I've NEVER received a bill, just a letter every other month confirming that the need for O2 or my primary care doctor hasn't changed.

It completely sucks that you have to hassle with companies that "Offer a complete range of home respiratory therapy".  I guess the bottom line is it's still just a business and employees can still be asshats...

Pain-Free days to all

weatherman

[Bejeeber]

I do have a couple phone numbers for "higher ups" here in the states.  If you want those numbers just let me know.... 

That's right neighborly of ya b.g., thanks!  I hope to not be needing those numbers for awhile though as I am in the LHZ (Lucky Headbanger Zone) with vit M currently keeping the 'ol McBeasty down for the count.

I bet the positive experiences b.g. and weatherman have had with Apria are much more typical indeed, and my persnickety local rep was just an anomaly.

[b.g.]

Their Travel Dept is wonderful.  They can have O2 ready and waiting at any hotel or residence that I have stayed.  That includes Florida and Nevada so far. 

WOW, 2 years and I haven't heard a word about this wonderful service!  Ya' learn something new every day I guess.  I'll be calling them on the travel thing .... that could really come in handy.   8-)

[ThatHurtsMyHead]

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