How long is a CPAP prescription good for?

[Mosquitobait]

I am new to this site and my first post, so hello to all I will try to keep this as brief as possible.

How long is a CPAP Rx good for? The reason for my question is this; My CPAP machine stopped working recently so I am looking to have it replaced.

If I go through my insurance companies in-network supplier it will cost me $1,300.00 for a new CPAP machine, I have to pay the first $750.00 out of pocket and then the insurance will pay 80% of the balance.

I can get the same CPAP machine on-line for $375.00. However they need an Rx before they will ship it and here in lies the problem. My doctor wants me to go through another sleep study before he will give me a Rx. I have been using CPAP at 14 CM/H2O for the past 5 years and have had no issues at that pressure setting. I sleep through the night and feel great in the morning. I don't feel it necessary to have another sleep study done.

Can I ask for a copy of the Rx I got when I had my original sleep study done or does it have an expiration date?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks to all.

Your insurance company isn't going to pay for it either without a doctor's RX. If you don't want to pay for another sleep study, contact Supplier #2 in the supplier list or buy one on Craigslist. Other suppliers may accept your previous sleep study AND prescription if you have a copy of it.

BTW, if you get a new auto machine, even if you don't use auto, you can use Sleepyhead to produce a report of your apnea condition at your present setting to bring to your doctor. That would certainly tell him if your needs are being addressed. However, if you have COPD or a heart problem, you are going to be eventually stuck with another sleep study because Sleepyhead does not reveal everything when certain conditions are present.

[Sleeprider]

Since my PCP was reluctant to give me a new Rx I decided to go back to the office of the pulmonary doctor that wrote the original Rx. I explained to the receptionist that my old CPAP machine no longer worked and I needed to purchase a new one ASAP since I did not have a back-up unit. I then asked the receptionist for a copy of my original CPAP Rx she asked me to wait while she spoke to the doctor. She then returned and said that the doctor would not give me a Rx for a new machine unless I had another sleep study done. I told the receptionist that I wasn't looking for a new Rx just a copy of my original Rx. She then rather rudely proceeded to tell me that she could not do that. I then explained to the receptionist that I had a right to have a copy of my file which would have included the original Rx and that I was prepared to wait until hell froze over but I wasn't leaving until I got that file. She then called the doctor and after a few minutes on the phone went a made copies of my file and gave it to me.

While I can understand to some degree the doctor not wanting to write a new script for a CPAP machine without another sleep study. I do not understand the reluctance in giving me a copy of my old script without having to get so insistent? Hmm could it be revenue driven? That was a rhetorical question...lol

In any case I have ordered a new PR DS560BT which should be arriving in a few days. My thanks to all who responded and special thanks to Ghost1958 for the 560 recommendation it was a much better choice then the 460 I was going to purchase. Total for the package was $469.00 through Supplier #1

Glad you got a good machine, and what a story! That is what it takes sometimes. Anyway, you're good to go from now on with that supplier, and your Rx should work anywhere else. As I recommended before, go to your regular, non-specialist doctor and recruit him as your sleep doctor. Your sleep doctor's behavior is shameful. Your Dx of sleep apnea is going nowhere, and a Rx for an auto machine is all you need.

Your new auto machine is the Bluetooth model. The BT module will let you use Sleepmapper on a mobile device, but that data is pretty minimal. Be sure a SD card is in the data slot and use that to port your efficacy data into Sleepyhead on a computer. Also, you can eventually add a heated hose retrofit kit ($75 at Supplier #1), which gives you the larger power supply, powered humidifier lid and heated hose. I added that to my machine and really enjoy the smaller (15mm) hose and no condensation.

Good luck and congrats on the win.

[Terry]

Can I ask for a copy of the Rx I got when I had my original sleep study done or does it have an expiration date?

Sure. It's part of your medical records. They can't legally withold it.

[Sleepster]

Some DME's require that your prescription be renewed annually. It's a racket.