Needing Updated Prescription

[dracus]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in 2017, given a apap, etc. I've been using it consistently ever since with no isssue. AHI is less than 1.0. I only pull up oscar if I have an odd night and my ahi is odd.

I haven't had insurance in 3 years so I've been buying supplies out of pocket and to be honest I haven't even remotely replaced things as they should be. I just realized that I haven't replaced the hose, water tank or my mask in a year. Even my must replace every two weeks nasal cushions have been replaced poorly.

I have insurance now which will pay for things and I've already met my deductible for the year an I figured I might want to "stock up". 

I called a local in network DME and found out that prescriptions are only good for a year. 

Long story short, old cpap doctor is out of network, not seeing patients, etc.

The current in network sleep doctors want a referral from my primary care before they will see me, etc. All those wheels are in motion. 

So my questions are:

1. Is there an easier way to get someone to write me a prescription for supplies? 
2. Anyone been through a situation like this, and want to let me know what I am in for as far as new doctor is concerned. Are they going to require a new sleep study, etc.
3. It's been 3 years, when should a cpap machine be replaced? Mine is working fine currently and all my numbers seem fine.

[Melman]

Your primary care doctor or your dentist can write a prescription for CPAP supplies. Machines will last 5 years or longer.

[Sleeprider]

Don’t fall for the BS. Ask your regular doctor to write a CPAP script renewal. Get a copy of your 2017 sleep study and keep it in a safe place and you may never need a test again. You have your CPAP and the response from the DME is just for them to cover their requirements to have a current prescription on file. You could buy these supplies anywhere with your old script. You do not need a sleep specialist or a new study for resupply of mask tube filter humidity chamber etc.

[Canuck 2]

I just replaced my Resmed airsense 10/auto set after approx 5 years. I believe insurance uses a rule of thumb every 5 years unless health issues arise and doctors need to treat your breathing issues differently with a higher level machine.
I had 13,500 flawless hrs on my unit and now has become my back up for what reason comes along. Excellent Cpap machine as you already know because your using one I see.