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Prescription rights - Printable Version

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Prescription rights - xdocgx - 08-01-2016

What are the rights of patients when it comes to their prescription, especially for purchasing any XPAP machine in the future?

Can a patient request/demand a prescription that has no expiration date, or does this simply vary from doctor to doctor, by insurance plan, or even location.

Am I required to participate in another polysomnogram in another five years or so in order to establish my continuing eligibility, or is sleep apnea considered a chronic disorder?

BTW, I have Kaiser insurance, and live in So Cal. My previous prescription didn't have an expiration date. When I tried to purchase a Res Med P10 headset online, I was told that my prescription needed an expiration date.

Any assistance is appreciated.

Thanks ...


RE: Prescription rights - DariaVader - 08-01-2016

My prescription says explicitly that it is good for life


RE: Prescription rights - PoolQ - 08-01-2016

Some things to consider:
1. CPAP is not a cure, so you should not have a problem getting new masks. This should not require a new sleep study, ask your doctor to refresh the prescription.
2. After 5 years you should be able to get a new machine, there have been improvements. If you do this, your Doctor may want either another study or at least to look at your data to make sure you get the best machine for your current needs. If your Doctor wants to change your machine, they may need to do another study. If you are needing a different machine, you should get it.
3. Sleep Apnea is not "static" and you may have physically changed in 5 years.
4. A Doctor should be able to look at your existing data and decide if you need a new study and different machine.

Of course internal Kaiser rules may require a retest every 5 years, your Doctor or the front desk staff should know what the rules are and they should tell you because in your case the Doctors and insurance company are on the same side.



RE: Prescription rights - OMyMyOHellYes - 08-01-2016

(08-01-2016, 08:23 PM)PoolQ Wrote: Of course internal Kaiser rules may require a retest every 5 years, your Doctor or the front desk staff should know what the rules are and they should tell you because in your case the Doctors and insurance company are on the same side.

We require you to have a $3,000 sleep study in order to pay $600 for a new CPAP machine." Bright folks, them insurance companies employ to make rules.

OMMOHY


RE: Prescription rights - Mosquitobait - 08-01-2016

You are entitled to a copy of your sleep study (get the RAW DATA, not just the summary). You are entitled to a copy of your prescription. Beyond that, you have to negotiate with your doctor.

The prescription I just received from the Sleep doctor says right on it that it is good only for one year and that a yearly prescription renewal is required. So, potentially, I'm SOL with an online retailer after a year unless they choose to ignore that section (which many do, apparently) OR if I instead choose to buy mask parts (which don't require a prescription).

You don't know where you will be in 5 years. But assuming you are with Kaiser, when you want a new machine in 5 years, download the data from your machine and have him/her review that. There should be a medical reason to do another study - you already diagnosed and can titrate from your auto machine. But if Kaiser is paying for it, they call the shots. You can refuse.

I have never had Kaiser, but sometimes it's beneficial to just tell the doc that you are buying out-of-pocket and what your needs are.


RE: Prescription rights - icyura10 - 08-02-2016

Gezzzz...

I had a CPAP that was given to me from insurance co. "A". I had it for several years, it was really nice, auto start, no SD CARD in it, nothing.

Then I changed insurance companies and went with Kaiser. Kasiser didn't support my machine, wanted me to get a new study. I obtained my sleep data, titration presecriptions and other information and took it into Kasiser. They setup my new CPAP without a new study and sent me on my way. No big deal and it was easy as pie.

Now I'm with Blue Cross, and of all things, they "rent" the machine for 13 months. If for almost any reason, you fail to demonstrate compliance, they take the damn thing away from you.

About 2 weeks ago I saw my sleep dr. He was not thrilled with the progress on using the machine I had (I'd had it since April) so he prescribed me a bi-level machine. So, now I'm on a new 13 month rental, for the freakin' cpap and all the monies I put forward towards the initial machine gets flushed down the toilet and I get to start over.

I hate BLUE CROSS and if I had almost any other option I'd take it. BTW, w/BC I can get new tubing every 6 months, new head gear every 6 months and there seems to be a raging fight about how often the pillows can be replaced.

I won't go into all the other nonsense going on...

But as it pertains to masks and prescriptions, it seems to be dependent on the state you live in as well as the individual Dr. It seems most states have limits about how long a prescription can be in effect and valid (usually 1 year). In states where there's no limits on the length of time, Dr,s seem to be reluctant to create a prescription with an extended period of time as it's not consistent with most of the existing states laws.

And then there's a mixmaster of confusion if you are covered by an insurance company and you are in / on medicare or SSDI.

This is messed up!

So much for reduced medical costs that were supposed to accompany the "Affffffffffffffordable Health Care".... and the legislation that had to be passed so we could find out what was in it! Oh-jeezHuhHuhsignCrazyDodgyOopsOhwellThumbs-down-1Crying-into-tissueeeewcrygreen

It's nonsense like this that really makes people wonder about gun control and what causes it to be necessary! Not that I'm to that point.. just say'n


RE: Prescription rights - FrankNichols - 08-02-2016

(08-02-2016, 12:48 AM)icyura10 Wrote: Gezzzz...

It's nonsense like this that really makes people wonder about gun control and what causes it to be necessary! Not that I'm to that point.. just say'n

Sadly, the root cause of the problem is the "for profit" healthcare system and health insurance companies. But, they are not limited to for profit healthcare. Consider that in the past couple decades a lot of people (millions?) have been diagnosed with OSD of some form and given CPAP machines by insurance companies creating a multi-billion dollar industry. The good news is a lot of people are getting good treatment, the bad news is a lot of those machines are sitting in closets because the people that got them do't like the treatment and find it inconvenient. Many of those machines cost upwards of $5,000 to $6,000 each - sitting in a closet because of non-compliance.

Non-compliance is a major contributor to medical costs, and not just in the OSD field, I read somewhere that as much as 50% of prescription medication is not taken as prescribed. Not only is that a waste of money, in the case of antibiotics it is a seriously dangerous non-compliance since it can result in the creation of "super bug" strains of bacteria when people do not finish the prescribed treatment. The industry has been trying to find a way to minimize the waste. It is not a simple problem, in fact it is a extremely complex problem with medical, moral, and economic considerations.

You may intend to comply with your therapy and receive the benefits, but you may not (generic you, not you personally) and how does the insurance company know? How can they reduce the loss from paying for a sleep study and CPAP machine and office visits and all the other associated costs around people that spend the money then don't use the machine?

And don't kid yourself, those economic losses from non-compliance end up coming out of your and my wallets in the form of higher taxes and higher insurance premiums and deductibles.

I feel for your issues, and understand how and why you feel what you do...


RE: Prescription rights - icyura10 - 08-02-2016

(08-02-2016, 04:03 AM)FrankNichols Wrote: You may intend to comply with your therapy and receive the benefits, but you may not (generic you, not you personally) and how does the insurance company know? How can they reduce the loss from paying for a sleep study and CPAP machine and office visits and all the other associated costs around people that spend the money then don't use the machine?

And the correct spelling of the above highlighted section is: ewe

Bahh... Bahhh...Bahhh... Don't get sheepish on us now and for goodness sake, don't let em' pull the wool over ewer eyes or ewe may be in need of a good shearing! Dielaughing

I just couldn't help it.. honest!




RE: Prescription rights - KSMatthew - 08-02-2016

I *think* my insurance covers CPAP - but with a high deductible, I don't even bother since I'd have to pay out of pocket anyway. I buy my own and leave the ins. co. out of it. From what I've seen/heard/read about the experience others have had with insurance companies, I think I'm happier this way. My doc and I get together on an annual basis, if he thinks I need or could use another sleep study then I'll work something out, but until then, I think I'll stay away from insurance.


RE: Prescription rights - 0rangebear - 08-02-2016

My insurance company will not pay for any prescription older than 18 months. I have submitted a few that had long dates on them and they were rejected for payment.

I can still fill them if I want to pay out of pocket