CPAP supplier

[Idahoterry]

I have a diagnosis of severe apnea and was given a prescription for a machine by my sleep specialist. She said that I could have it filled anywhere in our area. The prescription includes the settings (auto adjust), the range, the recommended mask and that I should have a heated humidifier. I told my doc that I was going to CPAP now. She responded, "Oh they are good". I will explain why I include that in just a moment.
I called CPAP now and had to leave a message. This was Friday morning. A woman called me back and was pretty snarky. She said that she had no referral from my doctor (wouldn't my doc have said she would send a referral there when I mentioned where I was going to go?) and a copy of my sleep study and my doctors notes. I told her that I had my prescription with all the settings but she said that was not enough. She also said that she needed authorization from my insurance. I have Tri Care for retirees and don't need a referral but she wouldn't listen to that. My brother went to them with his prescription and was given a machine and mask right away. Why does someone who is not a nurse, but a technician need to see my medical records? Is this the norm? This is my second attempt at CPAP therapy and I don't want to get off on the wrong foot. Any advice/recommendations? I really want this to work.

[cbramsey]

Welcome to the forum!!! We are glad you joined us!!!

You might want to also consider one of the suppliers on the Supplier List.

Best of luck to you.

[Paptillian]

Everyone has different circumstances. Personally, I'm very glad I found this site when I did because otherwise I would have ended up at a local DME that my doctor's office would have referred me to and would have been at their mercy.

Instead, after talking to a couple DMEs and my insurance company, I ran the numbers and realized that based on my coverage it was not cheaper to use a DME. I opted to source my own machine from one of the suppliers on the list that cbramsey posted. Glad I did! I skipped the bureaucracy and saved a couple dollars. The kind folks here are quick to answer questions, and there's information available for managing your own machine settings and sleep data. Really this forum is more helpful than a DME, so I don't feel like I missed out on anything they would have done for me.

Apnea Board team & members!

[PaulaO2]

Let us know how the process goes, what machine you got, etc.

So glad you got the help you needed here!

[trish6hundred]

Hi Idahoterry,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
I echo what has already been said.
Hopefully, you have better success on your second round of CPAP therapy.