Kicked out Sleep Dr's Practice. Dme-Dr in with each other?..

[oncomingspork]

This thread makes me feel very fortunate in the doctor and DME supplier I got...

They did the polysomnography whatsit with a million wires and all that, a week later I got results, the next appointment open was over a month out But then one night they called me with an opening because of a cancellation so I got in that night, got my results a few days later.

The DME was great, I met with a respiratory therapist and they gave me their email address among lots of other info. They demanded an email in a week's time to see how I was feeling with the new CPAP.

If anyone on the forum is in Oregon and looking for sleep docs, pm me and I'll give you the info.

[MrGrumpy]

File a complain about this "sleep specialist" to the Delaware State Medical Board. The state medical boards license Medical Doctors and many times paraprofessionals like Physicians Assistants, Nurse Practioners, etc.

Filing a written complaint about this doctor WILL get their attention and doctors HATE IT when patients (or even former patients) file a complaint against them with the state medical board. Sometimes they hate it even more than being sued. Most of the time, the state medical board will find "nothing wrong." Or at least nothing significantly wrong. But behind the scenes, they often wrist slap doctors they just dont publicize it. And if a pattern develops, the medical boards will start taking a hard look at a doctor or clinic.

Sometimes, these doctors have drug/alcohol problems or depression/anxiety/stress problems that the boards already know about and the doctors are already under surveillance by the board. Or on probation you can say...not "criminal probation" in the traditional sense. But the board has given them formal warnings to "shape up or they will eventually be canned by the board."

Seriously, look into it. In my state, a doctor cannot sue a patient or former patient for filing a Medical Board complaint per North Carolina General Statute. I have immunity in my state, if a doctor treats me awful, omits treatment or is negligent, hostile, unethical, fill in the blank...Im immune from the doctor suing me. It might be that way in Delaware as well. You dont need an attorney to file a complaint, its free (except for the postage). I recommend complaints be sent in on premium laser printing paper using a laser printer, dont exaggerate, be objective, dont get too awful emotional about it...just state the facts as you see them.

This is my orig sleep dr that sent me 3 years ago for a in lab sleep study and got me started on cpap. This is also the sleep dr who three weeks ago put in for another attended sleep study when my insurance rejected my family dr's request for a sleep study. The one my wife did not like the first time she met him and well I should of listened to my wife lol she thought he arrogant and he did not listen.

A couple weeks ago I called the dr's office to ask them if they could send a prescription to Cpap.com for a mask, So I would have it on file so I could buy masks etc with cash as I wanted too. I was told by the lady on the phone that I would have to wait to have a sleep study done before he would prescribe a mask. I informed her nicley that for the last 3 years i've been receiving supplies on a regular basis from the DME they referned me too. She then gets nasty - to a point were I will admit had me in tears. That they would/could only send a prescription to XYZ company (the one they sent me too). I explained that is untrue etc and I wanted them to send a mask prescription to cpap.com. She would not listen to me at all just continued being nasty. She then asked if I wanted to talk with the office manager, I did. 5mins pass, I am still just tore up at this point. She gets on and asks how can I help you - I first tell her that the woman I just spoke with was so nasty to me and if she treated people like that were I work she would not last long......... I explain the whole thing, that I am simply asking for a prescription for a mask, she says they could do that but the dr's not in it would be tomm - fine. I tell her I can fax her the request from cpap.com so the dr knows whats needed - she then goes I've never heard of that place, we can only send it to xyz company.... At this point I tell them nevermind forget I even asked and hung up.

Fast forward to yesterday.

I get in the mail a letter certified from my dr's office saying they are discontinuing out physician-patient relationship and there are 5 things listed, 1 being circled

Failure to follow medical advice
repeated failure to keep appts
Prescription Drug Abuse
Hostile/Abusive Behavior to Staff
Other

Circled is - Hostile/Abusive Behavior to Staff!

Wow, this so reminds me of the Sinfield Episode were Ellane tries to get Jerry and Kramer to get her medical file from the Dr's office as she was red flagged lol.

Also sent was a letter from my insurance telling me two things were denied

1. An Attended Sleep Study
2. CPAP Trial in a sleep lab (not sure what that is)

Approved is a at home sleep study, your doctor may request a home sleep study.......

I still have this Appt for a new sleep dr that i've had for three months - its Dec 22nd.

Ugg..... Sorry so long

Eric D.