[Diagnosis] ISO Second Diagnosis Advice

[headpeace]

I've got a pulmonologist who will supervise treatment for my apnea. I had a cardiopulmonary sleep study taken about 5 years ago.

Do you think that he will order another test?

[trish6hundred]

Hi headpeace,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for answers to your question and I wish you good luck with your CPAP therapy.

[justMongo]

I've got a pulmonologist who will supervise treatment for my apnea. I had a cardiopulmonary sleep study taken about 5 years ago.

Do you think that he will order another test?

Most likely since it has been 5 years.

[headpeace]

Most likely since it has been 5 years.

Here is my dilemma - and I'm not sure if anyone can help - but I absolutely, positively do not want to go back to the same group who did the first sleep study. There is something about getting a prescription from an M.D. who I never met that I find disagreeable.

Any suggestions on how to work that though my cardiologist, medical insuror and durable supply provider?

[Sleeprider]

If you have a copy of your first sleep study, that is probably sufficient to issue a prescription and get insurance coverage. You will have to meet with the doctor and explain your aversion to the sleep clinic. He may or may not need sleep study data, and it's especially unlikely if you have a history of simple obstructive sleep apnea that can be treated with CPAP. In that case and Auto CPAP will produce the data and titration needed to optimize your treatment. Any physician can work with you on prescribing and using CPAP, so while it's nice to have a specialist, it's not necessary.

Make your concerns known. Avoiding a sleep study can save a lot of money, and insurance is no problem as long as you have at least a summary of your previous study. If you don't, your doctor may be able to help you obtain a copy. The sleep clinic is required to provide you with a copy of your records and diagnosis under HIPAA, and you need to make an effort to get those records if they still exist. They may be archived, but should still be available if you can recall approximately when you had a sleep study. It appears you are using a S9 machine. What model? If it is an Elite or Autoset, it should produce data you can review with your doctor. Current use of a CPAP is probably adequate to justify a prescription renewal.

[headpeace]

If you have a copy of your first sleep study, that is probably sufficient to issue a prescription and get insurance coverage.

Yes, I have that - my pulmonologist has a copy, too.

It appears you are using a S9 machine. What model? If it is an Elite or Autoset, it should produce data you can review with your doctor. Current use of a CPAP is probably adequate to justify a prescription renewal.

...but it doesn't: even though I got the unit in 2011, it reports a window of time from 2007-2008 with no usage of the unit ever!