I have some experience with Synapticure and would be happy to share it. Your mileage may vary.
It was recommended enthusiastically by a PALS I met through I Am ALS. I had difficulty figuring out online (but eventually succeeded) that I Am ALS is non-profit but Syn. is for-profit. I think there should be an About page that makes this super-clear.
From my initial contact it took about a month to learn they offer fin. assistance. In fairness most of that time was over the Dec. break. Once I found out, I got approved in less than 24 hrs, after an interview that took about 30-45 min. I did not have to fill out forms, I just answered the questions and signed something to verify. They asked about 401K but it didn't enter into the eligibility decision (NY Medicaid didn't even ask, btw). My spouse was the major earner but got a slow start with 401K because of Bach., Master's with thesis, PhD, 3 postdocs, 1 5-yr glorified postdoc, and changing countries multiple times. I don't want to wipe out his 401K with my illness. We were both laid off right before COVID, and then age discrimination was brutal. All his relatives were very long-lived.
One thing that appealed to meat Syn. is that it is easier to get a quick appt with my neuro than at the centers.
I love my Syn. neuro. She's great about answering questions and I never feel stupid. In fact my Syn. social worker said the same thing.
I've had a terrible time getting an ins. prior auth to purchase a rollator (I'm waaay overdue to return the loaner). Syn. worked with me to get it authorized (after one quasi-denial - ins. wanted me to rent a two-wheeled walker). In fact I ordered it yesterday and it will be delivered tomorrow by 10 pm. I chose the Lumex Junior. My family will add holes to raise the height (got the idea from the online reviews). It is by far the narrowest rollator known to man and this will help me get into my tiny bathroom safely. I am 5'2". I will be reimbursed by ins. for most or all (~$157) within 3 months (in theory! Stay tuned!).
Syn. stuck with me through the iterative process. When I requested a copy of the forms they had submitted, they promptly sent them to me, and they were invaluable when I was contacting my ins. co.
Unfortunately, they've decided not to help me with a similar process to buy a fully elec. bed with reverse Trellendenberg (sp?). My new plan is to try to work with my new ALS Center (3.25 hrs vs. 2 hrs for old one). My primary is not good with paperwork!
Before their bed decision I had decided Syn. would be MY neuro -- but now I feel unsure again. However, neither Syn. nor new Center has objected to me working with both.
A bit more detail:
- There is no insurance in my state that Syn. works with yet, but they are apparently working on adding more ins. companies thick and fast.
- My impression is that they may not actually be turning a profit yet but so far, the bed issue is the only negative I've experienced. In general, they seem to prioritize good care over profit. (The bed problem is actually more basic, in my county, DME vendors of big ticket items require out of pocket payments - that is, their policy is not to submit anything to Medicare.)
- I was able to be honest with the neuro about the problems I had at my old Center and she helped me interpret some weirdnesses, and help me get helpful perspective. (She knows some of the cast of characters.)
- When I was having problems with my new feeding tube, she was the only person willing to look at the photos I sent her and my other providers, and she contacted me on the weekend with helpful guidance.
- She has ordered any meds I need, promptly, no problem.
- Before each appt., they have me fill out a pretty simple questionnaire. I send them my updated med spreadsheet and write down what questions and topics I'd like to address in the appt. The neuro allows the conversation to flow freely but discreetly makes sure we hit all my topics.
- She sometimes takes the initiative to ask if I would like this or that, e.g. Nystatin powder for my brand-new little belly rolls which were getting itchy.
- I can request an extra appt. with her whenever I need it.
- The person who interviewed me for fin. assistance told me her specialty is getting ins. denials resolved.
- The social worker is my main point of contact. She is very responsive to email and phone msgs, and when she was going to be away for a week, she gave me two cover colleagues, one of whom did indeed step up to the plate during her absence.
- For me, telemed is a boon. I get bad back pain from long car rides, and I find it exhausting to go to a Center.
- I hate their portal. Before I knew they had one, I sent them records with a free browser extension encrypter. Now, I could use their portal, but to be honest I'm currently sending attachments through regular email (when needed), because I want to concentrate on getting ready for further progression and enjoying life. (Note, one of the two competing medical institutions in my county has an even worse portal.)
Please feel free to ask me about anything I might have left out and I'll do my best to answer.