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How to get a prescription - live in rural area
#1
How to get a prescription - live in rural area
I had a sleep study done about 10 years ago and had mild sleep apnea. The machine I've been using quit yesterday and I'm trying to figure out how to get another one. I live 3 hours from the nearest sleep center and they require at least 3 trips and I can't miss that much work. 

Is there a way to get a prescription from a home sleep study? The doctor I called said there was no way to do this. If I can't get a prescription my only other option is to try to buy one illegally, which I will do if it's my only option but it seems ridiculous to have to do that.
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#2
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
Are you trying to get the machine paid for by insurance?

If not, I have heard that some mail-order DMEs will accept a very old prescription, if you had one originally. Supplier #2 also sells gently used machines. If you are paying for it yourself, I recommend talking to several suppliers about your situation and see how they can help.

If an insurance company is involved, I don't know what their requirements might be. I should think the most important requirement is that your doctor be willing to write you a prescription. If you've been using a machine for 10 years, I would hope your doctor would be willing to accept that as evidence you need treatment and write a prescription. There's no need for a prescription renewal to through the complete testing someone recently diagnosed with OSA might need to do.
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#3
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
Ask whoever first prescribed a pap machine for you to send you your complete sleep study.  In the US your doctor must send you your study if you request it. Then ask any sort of doctor, nurse practitioner, dentist, etc. to write you a prescription for a new machine.  That should be all you need to make your insurance company happy.
Machine:  ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto
Mask:  Bleep DreamPort Sleep Solution
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#4
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
I bought 2 from Supplier #2 without a RX
Apnea (80-100%) 10 seconds, Hypopnea (50-80%) 10 seconds, Flow Limits (0-50%) not timed  Cervical Collar - Dealing w DME - Chart Organizing
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#5
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
(02-12-2022, 12:27 AM)staceyburke Wrote: I bought 2 from Supplier #2 without a RX

The last time I bought anything online from one of the suppliers listed here it was from a supplier I'd never bought from before. The sales droid asked for my prescription so I just lied and said 'oh, you already have it from the last time I bought from you.' He replied 'oh, OK, we'll ship right away.' I'm sure he never checked. Online suppliers are super-eager to make a sale. And they know that machines and other equipment are benign; I've never heard of anyone being hurt, even if they crank it to the max. The whole prescription requirement is mostly nonsense.

I should add that it is also possible to buy online from private parties. I got my first machine from a DME prescribed by my doc, but then I returned it and bought the same machine from a local seller on Craigslist. I handed the seller two $100 bills and he handed me the machine.
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#6
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
Maybe different in the US but here in Canada a GP can give the prescription. I would assume your GP is aware you have been using CPAP for 10 years and as such they should be willing to write a prescription for a new machine.
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#7
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
Any record of your original recommendation for CPAP would suffice for a new prescription at most online suppliers. We have a small list of home sleep test providers here http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...#pid404296 These services often include a prescription for CPAP where indicated. My first recommendation is that you do not use a specialist, but instead call your regular doctor and let him know your CPAP has failed and request that he provide a prescription to refill that need. Your doctor can prescribe a CPAP and equipment without conducting any tests based on your medical history. Insurance may require a sleep study to reimburse for equipment, but the prescription will be valid for any out-of-pocket purchases from any online supplier. You will also find used equipment on Facebook marketplace, Craigslist and similar places.

Please consider getting a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for a better therapy result and data.
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#8
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
Thanks for all the responses. I don't have a regular doctor and when I called the sleep center where I had had my sleep study they had no record of me. I'm assuming my insurance won't pay but that's ok, I'm willing to buy a machine. 

It took me many years before I was able to sleep with a mask. I gave up until the dreamwear mask came out. I use that on the lowest setting, I think it's a 6. Anything higher and I can't sleep. But since my apnea is mild it seems to work.

So my next question is what's a good basic cpap machine? I don't need anything auto, no software, the only thing I need is a humidifier. I was using a fisker and paykel and it seemed to work ok.

Thanks!
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#9
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
For your knowledge:
    The prescription can be written by any of the following care providers:
  • Medical Doctor
  • Doctor of Osteopathy
  • Psychiatrist
  • Physicians Assistant
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Dentist
  • Naturopathic Physician
    The following practitioners, unless the practitioner is also an MD or DO, can not write a prescription:
  • Chiropractor
  • Podiatrist
  • Optometrist
  • Psychologist
Crimson Nape
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#10
RE: How to get a prescription - live in rural area
Not sure if posting this is violating any rules, if yes please remove. I just got a BiPAP prescription from this place:

https://www.sleepcareonline.com/product/...n-renewal/

My doctor is not willing to give me a prescription so I went this route. Their service is not available in all states (assuming you are in the US) so check that first.

If you still have the old prescription, you might want to find that. Basically they will give you the prescription. You do need a computer with camera for the appointment.
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