+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Prescription required to purchase mask? (/Thread-Prescription-required-to-purchase-mask)
Prescription required to purchase mask? - bilgerat57 - 12-27-2014
I broke the pivot on my mask last night. Digging into my stockpile of repaired parts I have a useable mask now. However I had to order a new plenum piece (the part that holds the nasal pillows) but since it was only $10.00 more for the entire mask assembly I ordered it on line. My wife checked several DME stores in the Tyler area and the only one who claimed to carry the Breeze, told her that we needed a prescription to purchase a mask. Mind you, this was paying cash not using insurance....... Did I miss something in the last 15 years I've been using a CPAP? I've never heard of needing a prescription for a mask before. A CPAP, yes but not a mask. I'm just wanting to figure out if these guys are trying to scam me (much like the software and setting data or if it's a company requirement or is there a new law I'm unaware of? Any info gratefully accepted! Thanks!
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - SuperSleeper - 12-27-2014
The regulations changed a few years ago here in the U.S. The DME is correct- a prescription for CPAP on file is now required for them to sell you a CPAP mask, as it's now considered an "integral part" of the CPAP system (a Class II Medical Device, and therefore "prescription-required" by FDA regs).
Stupid regulation, but it is the law here now. Wasn't that way when I started off with CPAP in 2004.
This is why it's important to ask for a copy of your CPAP prescription. Most DMEs don't care how old the prescription is, but they do need you to send them a copy before they can dispense a mask to you. I digitally scanned mine, so I can simply upload or email it to a DME when needed. I still use my original prescription from 2004 and DMEs readily accept that with no problem whatsoever.
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - Ghost1958 - 12-27-2014
You can buy mask kits and parts online and wind up with an entire mask without a script. But the entire thing as a single unit?? Not supposed to be able too anyway.
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - bilgerat57 - 12-27-2014
Wow! It certainly doesn't make sense to use a prescription for a mask. Given the variety of types and the different properties they each have, it's a bit like giving someone a prescription that just says "antibiotics". All that aside, I found a number of web sites offering entire masks and noting "no prescription needed!" I ordered my mask this morning from my regular supplier so it wasn't until this evening that I did a search and noticed this. I'm not sure how this works, but I'm going to get a copy of my prescription first thing Monday morning.
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - Moriarty - 12-27-2014
I guess the total lack of official Australian government interest in OSA as real medicine leads to a slacker process here.
The script I have from my Specialist for my machine was written to be particularly vague purposely to allow me the widest choice in the selection of a machine and mask. The bit about the mask said 'mask as selected by patient at time of fitting.'
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - archangle - 12-27-2014
The medical mafia likes unnecessary prescriptions so they can extort you for yearly office vi$its and maybe even unnecessary $leep te$st$.
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - DeepBreathing - 12-27-2014
(12-27-2014, 06:13 AM)Moriarty Wrote: I guess the total lack of official Australian government interest in OSA as real medicine leads to a slacker process here.
The script I have from my Specialist for my machine was written to be particularly vague purposely to allow me the widest choice in the selection of a machine and mask. The bit about the mask said 'mask as selected by patient at time of fitting.'
We don't actually need a script to purchase the machine, mask or supplies - it's only for insurance purposes. My sleep doc didn't write a script - he signed a letter to Medibank Private stating that the machine was necessary to treat sleep apnea and thereby help prevent more significant illnesses. That was enough to secure a (very modest) rebate.
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - justMongo - 12-27-2014
My Rx reads: Mask of choice.
RE: Prescription required to purchase mask? - GeoffD - 12-27-2014
I bought a ResMed AirFit P10 nasal pillow mask from that huge internet retailer where I have a Prime membership. Somehow, I don't think the FDA is tracking mask sales the way they track Oxycodone. I also bought a new/open box ResMed S9 Auto from Supplier #2 a week ago where I don't think they ever found the Rx FAX from my sleep center that I'm not sure ever got transmitted. I need to go ask them for another hard-copy Rx after losing the last one.
I'm not in the business but it's entirely possible that DMEs get audited occasionally since they do so much Medicare/Medicaid business. That would certainly sensitize you to following the letter of the law at all times.