My c-pap is paid for

[Schnauzers 5]

I am doing fine with my AHIs and as well as can be possible. Why would I need a follow up visit? As I said, my machine is paid for I just got a new headgear from another supplier? Am I obligated due to Medicare to have a waste of time boring follow up visit? because my sleep doc no longer contracts with Resmed. I so hate to go there. Borrrrriiiinnnngggggg!

[zonk]

Why would I need a follow up visit?

I suppose you don,t if everything is satisfactory but I do see my sleep doctor at least once a year and more if needed

[PaulaO2]

I would never go to a sleep doc that also sells equipment.

It is a good idea to see the sleep doc once a year for the first several years. After that, you can monitor your data and how you feel. As soon as you feel wonky or the pressure or AHI start going up, then it is time to see a doc. Also watch your blood pressure if you do not already. Any climb in that [i]could]/i] mean your treatment is not as good.

Even if your doc doesn't "do" Resmed anymore, it shouldn't matter to him. His job is taking care of the patient, not the manufacturer. And if he won't see you because you have a Resmed, well, then you know his priorities.

[Schnauzers 5]

I do not buy from my sleep doc. My headgear etc is Resmed but machine is respironics and Medicare paid for most of it a few yrs ago. I had a sleep study a little over a yr ago and have seen this doc every 6 unnecessary boring months. My B/P depends on how much salt I consume. I have never found any sleep doc to be of much benefit. They say so little and tell you nothing. I have back up new never opened headgear and many pillows. I don't need anything right now.

[PaulaO2]

Then you just answered your own question.

[cbramsey]

If your machine is paid for and you are trending your data in ResScan and/or SleepyHead and you are satisfied with your results, I personally don't think you need to see the sleep doc again.

If you are not satisfied with your XPAP data trend, you might consider seeing the doc.

[Schnauzers 5]

Then you just answered your own question.

I don't do sleephead or read any datascan whatever you said. I feel ok, and can tell when I need a new set of supplies. I just wonder if I am obligated to keep seeing this doc because Medicare requires it.that is really what I meant to ask. Do I have to go because Medicare says I do? BTW the supplier I have now because they have a contract w/ResMed supplies me with more than I need and is generous with new pillows etc. My doc used to supply me and lost the contract and they were always very hard to get new supplies from. I did however get refused my Auto titrating machine from current supplier but the doctor did get me what I wanted at the time,and claimed they absorbed the loss of money. I think they got paid plenty and didn't loose any profit according to what I have read here before. Is that confusing? What I just said? YES, DMEs lie and don't want you to change anything, or know anything. The girl today said I might need a different pressure. I told her it is auto titrating. I did not tell her that I also know I could change it if I wanted to cuz I know how from this forum. Teeee Heeee.

[PaulaO2]

Okay, I don't think I fully understand what you are asking.

If Medicare says you have to see him, then you do. That's one group you do not want to make angry.

I have Medicare and Medicaid. They have never made me go see any doctor on a regular basis for any of my conditions. I saw my sleep doc twice in the three months after I got my first machine. I did not see him again for another four years. It's been 3 yrs since then. Neither insurances told me I had to go.

Unless you used sleep apnea as your diagnosis (or one of them) to get disability (and therefore Medicare), I don't see why they would tell you to go. If you did use it as part of a disability application, the only time they would require you to go to the sleep doc would be for reviews.

[Dawei]

Until late last year, I had not seen a sleep doc since I first got my machine 5 years earlier, and he had told me then there were no required return visits (I'm also Medicare). Whenever I decided it was time for a replacement mask, I contacted my DME and received one. Then, last year I wanted to try a different model mask. When I contacted the DME, I learned that there was now a new Medicare requirement in place about patients needing to see a sleep doc at least once each year to qualify for changes including a change in mask model. So, I concluded that it's a good idea for me to do so.
Sleeping Beauty, shifting subjects slightly to what you wrote about your DME refusing to give you an auto machine, my understanding is that a DME had no choice but to turn you down. What they apparently did not tell you when they said no is that a DME cannot change a patient's machine without having a script from a doc to do so. The DME's actions must be in response to doctor's orders.
Also, I am not aware of any requirement that would stop you from switching to a different sleep doc whenever you want to do so. So, why not make a change if your current one doesn't work well with you.

[mjbearit]

I would just do what they want. You may not need supplies now, but it would be nice to have them pay for them when you do. Boring? I always take a book with me to any doc appt, actually I take one of my electronic readers so I have several books!