DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

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VikingGnome
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DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by VikingGnome » Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:01 am

Has there been some rule change in Medicare? My DME is now requiring proof of visit to sleep doc within the past twelve months in order to receive supplies. Anyone else running into this or this just a DME rule?

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LSAT
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by LSAT » Tue Sep 16, 2014 6:03 am

VikingGnome wrote:Has there been some rule change in Medicare? My DME is now requiring proof of visit to sleep doc within the past twelve months in order to receive supplies. Anyone else running into this or this just a DME rule?
I've never run into this

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Pugsy
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by Pugsy » Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:04 am

I haven't seen my sleep doc in over 5 years and I still get my mask supplies from my DME and I have Medicare.
I have heard rumors (from people who say their DME told them) that Medicare now requires an annual visit but I have yet to see it in writing from a Medicare documented source.
So....so far all I have seen is people being told by DMEs that Medicare requires it but I haven't seen anything from Medicare itself to support it.
It might be another one of those "in house" rules that DMEs like to make.

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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by Guest » Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:42 am

Sounds like the DME is in bed with the doc.

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englandsf
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by englandsf » Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:06 am

My prescription actually states 99 months (lifetime) as the length of need. I am not on Medicare though.

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Catnapper
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by Catnapper » Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:18 am

I have had that experience. My doctor said it is true, but he will OK renewals if I have an appointment on the calendar sometime in the future.

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webbie73
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by webbie73 » Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:07 am

DME told me it was my insurance not the doctor who required the yearly visit.

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RogerSC
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by RogerSC » Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:11 am

My DME tells me the same thing for my supplies to be covered by Medicare. Not an issue at the moment, though, I like my sleep doctor. We usually have stuff to talk about, every 8 months is the schedule he asks for. Fine by me, especially since I only have had to bring in my SD card for the last couple of visits.

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Denial Dave
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by Denial Dave » Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:16 am

Same here.... my insurance requires the annual visit. The visit counts whether I see my GP or the sleep doctor.

I see both of them on an annual basis for general purpose check-ups / physicals anways.

I also see my eye doctor once a year & the dentist twice a year. BCBS calls it preventive care and the visits are covered.

No big deal for me.

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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Sep 16, 2014 10:27 am

It doesn't matter to me whose idea this foolishness is.
I jump through the hoops without complaint.
As long as I get what I need, it's good enough.

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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by kristiepowell77 » Tue Sep 16, 2014 7:59 pm

New to all this. So I just got my cpap but it smells so plastic. Is there anything I can put in with it like lavender or jasmine to give it both calming smell but better smell too

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Sleep2Die4
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Re: DME requiring proof of annual sleep doc visit

Post by Sleep2Die4 » Tue Sep 16, 2014 8:14 pm

VikingGnome wrote:Has there been some rule change in Medicare? My DME is now requiring proof of visit to sleep doc within the past twelve months in order to receive supplies. Anyone else running into this or this just a DME rule?
My sleep doc says every 12 months to satisfy Medicare requirements. He also said there are rumors that Medicare will go to six months and if they do he will hire a P.A. to see patients who are doing well and document their compliance.

I don't know if any of that is true. Doctors do sometimes get things wrong and sometimes they lie.

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