Doctor has written my prescription for both 99 months and 1 year?

[juliep]

Hi, below is a screenshot of part of my prescription:



It says it is for 99 months, but also says it lasts only one year. The problem is I want to keep it with me when I travel, in case I need to buy an emergency CPAP or supplies at a DME supplier.What do I do?

[LSAT]

Often it's the interpretation by the DME. You know for sure that it's good for 12 months.

[chunkyfrog]

Ask for a new one at the end of each year.
Then your butt is covered in spite of the stupidity of others.

[juliep]

Thanks guys! I will ask for each year then, but I hope my doctor doesn't get annoyed (although he will probably change every few years, as they have me see residents).

[chunkyfrog]

Thanks guys! I will ask for each year then, but I hope my doctor doesn't get annoyed (although he will probably change every few years, as they have me see residents).

They have no right to be annoyed--they work for YOU.
Just try not to be rude to them--they have been under some stress lately.

[D.H.]

I suspect you won't be traveling in the immediate future, so your away from home options are not an immediate concern. Also, it's clearly good for one year.

While I think you should use the CPAP everytime you sleep (including naps) putting eight hours on the prescription could cause a problem. Suppose you're only averaging 7½ hours of sleep each night?

Furthermore, most insurance considers four hours enough for compliance; not really adequate, but it does satisfy "compliance" according to their rules.

My suggestion is that when your year is up, ask for a new prescription for at least 99 months (8¼ years) and no more than four hours per night.

[Chitlom]

My doc made it for 99 years, maybe I smell bad!

[zonker]

My doc made it for 99 years, maybe I smell bad!

"get outa my office and don't come back!!"

[chunkyfrog]

Insist the prescription NOT specify the DME--especially Crapria.

[BlueDragon]

"99 years" is a "magic" number for insurance purposes that indicates you will need a CPAP machine indefinitely.

Here in AZ, any prescription can be written for only one year. What happens with my DME is that when the Rx expires, they contact the doctor and get it renewed -- just like an Rx for medications. I normally don't have to get involved unless I haven't seen the doctor in a year.

[ChicagoGranny]

While I think you should use the CPAP everytime you sleep (including naps) putting eight hours on the prescription could cause a problem. Suppose you're only averaging 7½ hours of sleep each night?

I interpret this to mean the doctor only wants him to use it for 8 hours over 99 months. One second per night will easily cover it.