Overwhelmed. But breathing

The problem is not only in ordering supplies, but also in difficulty contacting many persons.  Recently I was trying to order Supplies for my CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) breathing machine.  After two weeks and my order did not arrive, I tried to check my order which should have arrived in less than 10 days.  About three days before, I had received a letter stating that my new supplier was Mucha. My first thought was "if my recent supplier would only hire one person to service my account, I would be SO happy."  

    I began by checking my original order (by calling that number and that person).  After a long menu to chose from, I did get Susie, who told me that she could not find my order.

    Cheerfully she gave me another number of their supplier called Central Supplier.  I got this person on the line after a menu of five choices.  She too paused and asked for a moment while she checked.  No, she had no record of my order.  She offered to place another order and I agreed. 

     She got my insurance numbers recorded, my name and my birthdate, my address, my e-mail address, and two phone numbers.  Since I am 88 years old and have difficulty walking, I told her that I would need a longer time than usual to gather the information from my wallet nearby.  Then I she requested the items I needed to order--a cushion to place over my nose, (name and size); filters, a new hose, and straps. Did I remember when I had ordered these last? No, I had not written down that date.  Medicare might not approve it if my request was not the right date. I asked her if the previous company who had sold out to Mucha had sent any records.  Apparently Not.  Medicare had these records, but they could not reveal them.  They just asked Mucha for them. She said Mucha would notify me by e-mail when my supplies shipped. I thanked her, thinking I had ordered my supplies.  Shortly I received a return voicemail.  She said she had forgotten to ask when I received my current CPAP machine. By this time (three hours later ...all on the phone), the Mucha Company had closed and I had to call the following day.

    She left me a voicemail saying she could not find my doctor in the system. I told her that my doctor when I moved to Williamsburg had retired and I had a new pulmonologist. I had also given her the name of my Internist (PCP) Primary Care Physician.  None of these doctors were in the system, but she could add one.

    Each time I place an order (after choosing a number from the phone menu), I must give every number and address again.  In 2000, the general public was notified that each person's medical history could be entered into our medical history online.  This procedure would reduce paperwork and save time.  Now I am still having to fill out my forms before and after each doctor's visit or to place an order.

    I am still hoping that I can get my CPAP supplies. I am fortunate that I can still breathe without my supplies. Today, I got a call saying Medicare was fine, but my secondary insurance number was wrong.  I found a newer card and she said it worked.  SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!