"One Stop" Sleep Clinics-- how to deal with?

I haven't seen this question addressed but it seems that I am dealing with a sort of one stop type sleep clinic (not the name), the name is omni sleep so... Anyway, everything is there, so you go to the doctor, consult with RT, sleep studies (although that's at a hotel), and get equipment from the same place. I would gather the equipment part is the most complicated. I expect I will be a very bad boy and give the DME trouble asking for an auto pap top of the line. BTW, I think I have met the DME person. If I am correct they definitely selected well. He only seems approachable, and I gathered he was not at all. He just appears to be a nice reasonable fellow.

Anyway, any advise for dealing with these kinds of places. I have had no complaints so far actually. Everybody is very nice, helpful, not at all pushy, etc. (although as I said I have my suspicions on the DME).

My sleep study was last month and I have my titration study next week.

Thanks ahead of time.

Just my opinion.......I always tried to avoid this type of clinic when the doctor owns or is a partner. He then has a vested interest is selling you equipment and recommending additional tests. Since it is his money...he may avoid prescribing the best machine for you since most insurance pays the same amount regardless of what machine you get....Just something to think about if you have a choice.

Be very careful what you sign. Don't sign anything that commits you to buying equipment from them.
Get a copy of your complete sleep report and a copy of your prescription. It is the law they have to give it to you.

Is this the only in-network provider for your insurance plan? If not, you can use any in-network DME for your equipment and supplies. Be sure to get copies of everything, sleep study, titration, and prescriptions.

Well I already have started, so I don't see I can exactly get out of it at this point. I don't actually think I realized it was sort of one stop like this.

Yes, my insurance is paying. I don't think this is the only provider, actually the insurance company hospital has a clinic. I haven't heard great things about the DME.

I found what I signed, doesn't look too bad unless I am missing something: "Our RT will demonstrate how to use CPAP and follow up you regularly. Alternatively, the prescription for the CPAP machine, mask, and all associated equipment will be sent to the DME of your choice. (phone no etc follows). "

I have a copy of the report, but it doesn't seem exactly complete. There are no graphs. There is a medical hx, diagnosis and observations, comments re respiration, heart, EEG, behavior, etc.etc. (approximately 2 1/2 pages). I haven't had the titration, so...

You need to get and keep a copy of your prescription for yourself. (It should say "good for 99 months" which means lifetime)
That way, if you ever have to buy something on line, or are out of town and something breaks, etc, you have the right paperwork to get parts.

Cardsfan wrote:You need to get and keep a copy of your prescription for yourself. (It should say "good for 99 months" which means lifetime)
That way, if you ever have to buy something on line, or are out of town and something breaks, etc, you have the right paperwork to get parts.

I think it's 99 years instead of months.

jonny515 wrote:I found what I signed, doesn't look too bad unless I am missing something: "Our RT will demonstrate how to use CPAP and follow up you regularly. Alternatively, the prescription for the CPAP machine, mask, and all associated equipment will be sent to the DME of your choice. (phone no etc follows). "

You are not missing anything. There are many regulars on here who are, for a variety of reasons, suspicious of the medical profession. Even paranoid.

The best word of caution is to be very sure of what model CPAP machine you are being offered before you take delivery of it. Be ready to read the model number off the bottom, write it down, walk out and come here and post the model number for opinions. This is said because it is easier to get the right machine to start with, than try to exchange the wrong machine later.

I am lucky. My sleep doctor only prescribes data-capable APAPs and up. No bricks. No straight CPAPs. Usually the latest ResMed model.

OkyDoky wrote:

Cardsfan wrote:You need to get and keep a copy of your prescription for yourself. (It should say "good for 99 months" which means lifetime)
That way, if you ever have to buy something on line, or are out of town and something breaks, etc, you have the right paperwork to get parts.

I think it's 99 years instead of months.

Not if you live long enough to use Medicare. You need a recertification and a new prescription every 12 months.

Mine says "Good for 99 months, 99 months =lifetime". I guess Medicare makes you update it every yr.

Cardsfan wrote:Mine says "Good for 99 months, 99 months =lifetime". I guess Medicare makes you update it every yr.

Actually mine just says 99=Lifetime. Not months or years, so I just read years into it. I assumed years would be closer than months for lifetime.

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan....I used an old prescription for 4 years until I wanted a new CPAP. Then I needed a new one and I have been using that for almost 2 years now. I didn't even need to see the doctor when I wanted the new CPAP...he just mailed me a new prescription. The DME had told me that I needed to see the doctor to get the CPAP prescription....I told her that it's obvious that I saw him since I had the prescription.

I just looked at my RX on file at cpap.com.
Written in 2010, it says 99 MONTHS.
But that was over five years ago.
No idea what a new Rx would say.

Thanks, of course just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
Yes, I want them to hand over the prescription and no one gets hurt. BTW, I am not at all macho, just practicing up. I have Medicare Advantage, seems to be a good policy as they are covering both sleep studies 100% with no deductible.

Will bring the model no. and all over here and copy it. Whatever I need to do. I'm not sure if they will try to give me a brick, but I come prepared.

BTW, I found out how I'll deal with them, just mention Maimondes Sleep Clinic. Apparently there are people from out of town that go there and it has the reputation as one of the best sleep clinic in the country. No wonder where I go puts you up in the Drury Inn (VERY nice accommodation).