Slow Dr how to get CPAP fast?

[Loveartist]

Hello,

Recently got diagnosed with sleep apnea. Took two weeks to be told I had it. Two weeks to get a second study with a cpap. And my appointment to get my prescription will be another two weeks. However, I am determined not to wait that long. Both because I now know I feel alot better after sleeping with a CPAP and I think its wrong to make people wait two weeks for a prescription. So I need your help.

1. Fastest cheapest way to get a prescription?

2. What machine etc?

3. What pressure setting?


So far my two options for the prescription are to take my first sleep study to my primary care dr and see if he will write the script. The other is ask my dad who is a MD but specializes in surgery to write one but I am not sure how that will work with my insurance.

I have passport insurance and was looking at http://www.thecpappeople.com/billmyhealthinsurance.aspx but not sure if this is a good way to go.

I was thinking about the resmed airsense line just looking around on google. I know I need a mask that covers both mouth and nose because my nose gets blocked sometimes. I dont know what pressure setting they used last night during the second study but she said it was not too high. I guess I just need an estimate thats safe to start with. I do plan on seeing my doctor in two weeks to hear his thoughts. Here is some info from my first sleep study

Sleep latency: prolonged 30.5min
Sleep efficiency : decreased 67%
Overall AHI : 8.6
Overall RDI : 8.6
REM AHI : 26.1
Not significantly worse in supine
No cheyne strokes respiration present
Basal SaO2 : 95%
Lowest SaO2 : 89%

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[ChicagoGranny]

And my appointment to get my prescription will be another two weeks.

Call them, ask them to have him write a prescription for you to pick up immediately. They probably will refuse, so ask them to put you on a cancellation list for an appointment. Call them back every day. They might work you in to "get rid" of you.

[Loveartist]

Dr wont even be in till monday. I guess ill start annoying them then if I havent found a quicker solution. Thanks for the reply

[Cardsfan]

craigslist

[Chevie]

Dr wont even be in till monday. I guess ill start annoying them then if I havent found a quicker solution. Thanks for the reply

Start now. More time to wear them down. If they say they have already told you, just play dumb.

[Mogy]

I had a similar situation and I went to see my family Dr and he wrote CPAP on his pad, signed it and gave it to me.
It was good enough for ordering online. Had my machine in 2 days.

[JimW159]

Why do you think your dad's script won't be honored? Also, surely he knows someone who will accommodate you. Failing all that, you know that a dentist can write the script, too. Just write the script you want that will give you exactly the machine you want with exactly the characteristics you want and ask him/her to write as you have requested. Many dentists nowadays are quite familiar with sleep apnea and PAP (make sure you write for an AUTO machine with full data). Just don't get talked into getting a dental appliance instead of APAP - it will only delay the process. Both scripts I got - the initial one and one for auto - were written by friends who are cardiologists who knew virtually nothing about sleep medicine other than my sleep study diagnosed OSA. I dictated the second script to match the suggested script found at this forum's host, cpap.com. He simply copied it word for word and gave me a copy. Just use the basics of the script and nothing that limits you to a specific supplier (supplier does not mean brand of machine, just who is selling).

See: https://8126b715a818de131995-29fdba798a ... 32f722.pdf

[Loveartist]

Thanks for the replies you all. I had not thought of the dentist. The concern I had with my dad writing the script was with my insurance. I have good insurance and I think they will pay for most if not all of the cost. Ill have to ask him about it, would he have to have a contract with passport, my insurance? Or does it make no difference?

[ChicagoGranny]

Thanks for the replies you all. I had not thought of the dentist. The concern I had with my dad writing the script was with my insurance. I have good insurance and I think they will pay for most if not all of the cost. Ill have to ask him about it, would he have to have a contract with passport, my insurance? Or does it make no difference?

Your insurance company will require a sleep study and a statement from the doctor that you require CPAP.

[Loveartist]

dang. Alright captain annoying here i come thx again

[SBarrett]

For what it's worth, my CPAP path also went slowly. Simply a fact. Appointment for home sleep study, sleep specialist MD., overnight titration study in hospital. Analysis of findings. Long waits between each plus approvals by primary and secondary insurances.

My first CPAP use was last night, many thanks to the people who have generously shared their experiences on CPAPTALK. :-}

[remstarcpap]

Have any doc write a prescription, that gets you the right to order online, and you are set.

Get an auto machine, and set it to a range based on your sleep test. The machine will autorange to the right pressure.

Or buy one on Craigslist, they are cheap and often unused. I'd recommend an Resmed S9 autoset or a Respironics PR One Auto. You don't need a scrip for CL.

[Pugsy]

Your dad could write the RX and it wouldn't be a problem with insurance but for insurance to pay there's more involved than just the RX.
They will usually want a copy of the sleep study results too and your dad probably doesn't have the necessary documents to go along with that RX.
I don't know if your document from your sleep study would have enough of the necessary information on it to satisfy the insurance requirements.
It might depending on how complete what you have is.

Now if money permits you can buy privately...craigslist, Amazon, whatever and then that machine could be delegated to travel or back up machine status once you finally get past the hurdles using your insurance.

If you like the ResMed (great machine BTW) look at the AirSense 10 AutoSet or the AirSense 10 AutoSet for Her models.
Avoid anything with AirStart...the "Start" part in the ResMed model line. No data at all and not even heated hose capable...they are cheap though.

[Loveartist]

Thx guys

[AMESS]

Sleep therapy and tests is a process. It takes a while to see the doc and get approved. Then you probably have to wait for an apt at the sleep lab. By now two or three weeks may have passed. Then go back to the doc so he can tell you what they found. Then go back to the sleep lab and try out the masks and find out what pressure the machine needs to be at. By now its at least 6-8 weeks since you started. Now its time to get an apt at a medical supply place. Another week shot.

So bad you almost want to throw in the towel before you even start. Not to mention the numerous masks you will be changing over to because you dont like what you have.P.S. I am on my 12th mask now in 3 months since I started. The entire process for me started back in June.

Joy to the world!