So many questions... where to begin?

[scoobiedu]

Hello everyone! I've been scouring the internet trying to get answers for my hubby. He's a busy man, and just doesn't take time to take care of himself. Anyway, he was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea in the early 90's. He had his first sleep study done at the Cleveland Clinic. He had another study done around 2001 and hasn't had any since.

The snag we ran into was when he tried to get his mask replaced and the DME that we had been using all these years had changed ownership. We were told by the new owners that they did not have any of our records and we would be unable to get any equipment without a prescription. The last doc we went to that did the sleep study, and also happens to be the only local doc for this kind of thing, ran every test imaginable and we felt he was padding his wallet when all we wanted was to see was if any changes had taken place from his first sleep study in Cleveland. We contacted said doc to see if we could get his records from his last sleep study, and were told that the records were too old and they no longer have them? So, now we are trying to decide what to do.

1. Should we try to find a new doc to do a sleep study in order to get prescription? If so, does anyone have any good recommendations for docs in the SE Ohio region?

2. Our GP doc would write a prescription for us, but he's not experienced with writing exactly what should be stated on the prescription for the exact equipment we need. Is there anything specific he would have to include on the prescription so we don't have problems with DME provider or insurance? Any examples of how prescriptions are written?

3. Would like to get a new machine, current one has 23,050 hours on it. Looks like the APAP are the nicer ones? Any favorites out there? Does doc have to be specific when writing script for APAP verses the old CPAP?

Sorry this is so lengthy, but I hope I make sense. Thanks!

[retired_guy]

Ask doc to write a nice prescription for a Resmed Airsense A10 Autoset, and for masks and supplies per patients request.

Other than that, if all you want to do right now is replace his mask you can do that without a prescription. The on-line suppliers have an option where you order the head gear separate from the cushion. You have to put it together, and it costs you a few dollars more for the privilege. But, it gets him a new mask with no muss or fuss.

A newer machine would be great for him to have as lots of changes/improvements have been made. Also it will allow him to take charge of his own therapy which simply means you can tell the DME's in your life to get someone else's life.

[trish6hundred]

Hi scoobiedu,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Yes, an APAP machine would be better. If you need to, you can set your APAP machine up as a straight CPAP machine if that's whatis needed.
Hang in there for more answers to your questions and much success to you and your hubbie with his CPAP therapy.

[trailrider]

R_G has great advice! Your situation is a reminder to all of us to keep copies of prescriptions and studies. Apnea is for life once you have it, so keep your prescriptions on you, not at the DME!

[Sleeprider]

Supplier #1 on the commercial supplier list above has a prescription template your G.P. can use to write his prescription, or you can simply order supplies and refer them to him for the authorization. It's very easy, and most online suppliers will do this. It's pretty pointless to get another expensive sleep study. If your husband gets good treatment from a CPAP, and does not require bilevel therapy, then the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset or Philips Respironics 60 series Auto CPAP are both good choices. Masks and supplies should be whatever he is comfortable with.

Insurance may require updated diagnostics for reimbursement, but most accept that sleep apnea is a lifetime condition and won't ask for updated studies. Medicare may be an exception. There have been a lot of advances in masks and equipment in recent years, and your husband should do himself a favor and research some of it. He lives with it for 8 hours a night after all.

[scoobiedu]

R_G, would the doc just putting exactly "Resmed Airsense A10 Autoset, and for masks and supplies per patients request" on prescription be all that is needed?

Sleeprider, would the form from #1 supplier be something that can be used anywhere or would it only be something that can be used with that company?

[OMyMyOHellYes]

R_G, would the doc just putting exactly "Resmed Airsense A10 Autoset, and for masks and supplies per patients request" on prescription be all that is needed?

Sleeprider, would the form from #1 supplier be something that can be used anywhere or would it only be something that can be used with that company?

I would ask him to wrtie Auto CPAP with full efficacy data reporting, st to pressure X cm to Y cm, integrated heated humidifier with heated tube, masks to pt comfort and related supplies including replacement tubes, masks, headgear, cushions and filters. If the script is written for a specific machine and model (same for mask) then you will need a new script if Resmed "improves" the machine and introduces the "Resmed Airsense A10 AutoSet II for Him" in three years and you need to replace yours for some reason and all the old ones are out of stock...

[retired_guy]

R_G, would the doc just putting exactly "Resmed Airsense A10 Autoset, and for masks and supplies per patients request" on prescription be all that is needed?

Sleeprider, would the form from #1 supplier be something that can be used anywhere or would it only be something that can be used with that company?

Well, there really isn't any need to say much more. OhMy has a point about not making it brand specific, but by specifying the Airsense 10 Autoset you rather insure all the other necessary stuff like it having a humidifier, etc. As to specifying the pressures? Well if the doc is good with your husband setting it up (with our help) then that shouldn't be necessary. It comes defaulted with pressures such as 4/20, which I don't like but lots of people live there without knowing any better.

The on-line suppliers try to make it as easy as possible for you which is why they have a sample script. That's fine, but it's not rocket science either. Simple can work fine.

[me50]

and be sure to have the doc say DISPENSE AS WRITTEN

[scoobiedu]

and be sure to have the doc say DISPENSE AS WRITTEN

What does this do to the script? Sorry for not knowing...