[Equipment] Prescriptions For CPAP Supplies

[Airstream]

I haven't seen the pulmonologist who had my sleep study done and prescribed CPAP in 2010. There was a change in ownership at the hospital and he is not longer there. I have no reason to see another.
That does leave a problem though. My health insurance (U.S.) requires a prescription for supplies or they will not pay for them (cushions, filters, hoses, etc). You must have a script to get a mask (U.S. again) however.
Tomorrow, I see one of my other doctors who I asked to write me one last time (they are good for one year), and I am going to ask him to write me another. The script simple says "CPAP Supplies" on it.
Just wondering, how do you get your prescriptions written?

[zonk]

Tomorrow, I see one of my other doctors who I asked to write me one last time (they are good for one year), and I am going to ask him to write me another. The script simple says "CPAP Supplies" on it.
Just wondering, how do you get your prescriptions written?

I think the script is good for at least 5 years or maybe more
CPAP and related supplies

Supplier #1 list a script sample "Prescription / Letter of Medical Necessity", gives you an idea

[Airstream]

I think the script is good for at least 5 years or maybe more
CPAP and related supplies

Supplier #1 list a script sample "Prescription / Letter of Medical Necessity", gives you an idea

Although it may be ok for authorizing the purchase for five years, my insurance company (a major U.S. company) requires one every year or they will not cover the expense.

[PaulaO2]

Any doctor can write it. My GP wrote my last one. It was also for the machine and supplies. I think the supplies part said "CPAP mask and CPAP supplies".

Make a copy of this one so you know how to get it written each year. I didn't and all I have is the medical necessity fax form. But Supplier #2 accepted it at least.

[justMongo]

I think the script is good for at least 5 years or maybe more
CPAP and related supplies

Supplier #1 list a script sample "Prescription / Letter of Medical Necessity", gives you an idea

I think the longest an Rx is valid in the US is 1 year.
Less for certain DEA scheduled controlled substances.

[SuperSleeper]

Insurance companies have their own requirements, which sometimes can be more strict than FDA requirements.

I purchased my S9 AutoSet from Supplier #1 on the Supplier List about 2-3 years ago (without insurance) and they had my initial prescription from 2004 on file and used that - it was probably close to 7 years old at the time. May not be the case with other DMEs but I think most online DMEs will accept any prescription for CPAP, no matter how old it is. Getting insurance companies to accept old CPAP prescriptions might be a bit more of a challenge, however, as they are shelling out insurance monies to pay for the machine and want to make sure that CPAP is still a medical necessity for the patient.

CPAP prescriptions aren't like prescription for controlled substances, where drug abuse can occur with an open-ended prescription. So far, I've not heard of people checking into a rehab clinic for CPAP abuse.

[bwexler]

My insurance has a chain of command. My PCP must write the prescription and submit it to the medical group he belongs to. the Group must approve it and forward it to the only DME covered (Apria). Then Aprea screws it up, I complain they correct it incorectly, I complain, I eventually complain enough to get what I originaly asked for. Doesn't mater if I see a sleep doctor, pulmanololgist, cardiaologist, or ornithologist, my PCP still writes the prescription.

[justMongo]

My insurance has a chain of command. My PCP must write the prescription and submit it to the medical group he belongs to. the Group must approve it and forward it to the only DME covered (Apria). Then Aprea screws it up, I complain they correct it incorectly, I complain, I eventually complain enough to get what I originaly asked for. Doesn't mater if I see a sleep doctor, pulmanololgist, cardiaologist, or ornithologist, my PCP still writes the prescription.

There's an acronym for that: FUBAR

[bwexler]

Yes. I am aware that a catch 22 can generate FUBAR and an occaisonal SNAFU.

[retired_guy]

Yes. I am aware that a catch 22 can generate FUBAR and an occaisonal SNAFU.

??? I don't speak French.