Changes To CPAP.com Prescription Policy

[johnnygoodman]

Howdy CPAPtalkers,

Effective at 5 PM CST today, CPAP.com will begin requiring prescriptions be on file before shipping machines, masks or humidifiers by policy.

Please see our Prescription FAQs for phrasing guidelines:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescript ... l#FGID-130

This matter is ongoing and I will speak further to it when the goal lines are stable and well established.

This means I can not speak to the inevitable flood of questions and complaints this policy will generate.

I would greatly appreciate your trust, patience and continued business.

Johnny

[sleepypp]

I guess I could understand that for the machine itself, but for a mask? Seem like most folks would just go elsewhere...

Stacy

[Babette]

So I suppose my inevitable question will go begging.

My prescription only states a machine. Nothing about a mask. So now I can't buy a mask without a script that specifically states a mask? And does it need to specify WHAT MASK?

Oh joy....
B.

[datajack]

Only thing of note so far from that page, small typo/contradiction :

"Do I need a prescription to purchase non-machine products?
No. You only need prescriptions to purchase machines from our website. You can purchase masks, tubing, humidifiers, filters, etc without a prescription."



Though as a bulleted item off that:

Mask

■Contains one of the following words or phrases "CPAP Mask", "CPAP", "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure", "APAP", "AutoPAP", "AutoSet", "Auto CPAP", "Auto Adjusting CPAP", "Self Adjusting CPAP", "BiPAP", "BiLevel", "VPAP", "BiPAP Auto", "BiPAP ST", "Synchrony ST", "VPAP ST"
■Contains physician's contact information
■Contains physician's signature
■Contains the patient's full name

Humidifiers

■Contains one of the following words or phrases "CPAP Humidifier", "Humidifier", "HH", "CPAP", "Continuous Positive Airway Pressure", "APAP", "AutoPAP", "AutoSet", "Auto CPAP", "Auto Adjusting CPAP", "Self Adjusting CPAP", "BiPAP", "BiLevel", "VPAP", "BiPAP Auto", "BiPAP ST", "Synchrony ST", "VPAP ST"
■Contains your physician's contact information
■Contains your physician's signature
■Contains the patient's full name

[Babette]

That bulleted list makes it sound like if my prescription reads "Auto cpap" I can order anything I want.

Not true. Johnny told me I can't buy a cpap-only machine from cpapauction.com because my script reads "Auto" and not "cpap".

So I went to the doc, paid the boat payment, and got a new script that reads BOTH CPAP and/or Auto.

But not mask.

And Doc's on vacay until this fall.

Good thing I don't want to buy a mask that cpap.com put on sale this week.

Still love you Johnny, just venting.
B.

[6PtStar]

Babs I think the part about machines is still the same. If you have a script for a cpap you can buy a cpap or apap but not a bipap. If you have a script for a apap you can buy a apap but not a cpap. The big change is that you have to have a scrip for some kind of machine on file in order to buy a mask, humidifier, etc. Bummer!!! Does not say you have to have a script for a hose or filter!!

Jerry

[silver123]

Thanks Johnny. I'm sure you all are just doing what you need to do. I know you will keep us updated.

Your continued hosting and support of this forum is so appreciated.

silver

[dsm]

Howdy CPAPtalkers,

Effective at 5 PM CST today, CPAP.com will begin requiring prescriptions be on file before shipping machines, masks or humidifiers by policy.

Please see our Prescription FAQs for phrasing guidelines:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescript ... l#FGID-130

This matter is ongoing and I will speak further to it when the goal lines are stable and well established.

This means I can not speak to the inevitable flood of questions and complaints this policy will generate.

I would greatly appreciate your trust, patience and continued business.

Johnny

Johhny,

Is it right to speculate that this is a legislative (or FDA) change ?

Cheers

DSM

[TheDreamer]

Well, if I reading things right...as long as the script says "CPAP" and has a pressure, you can get a CPAP machine, an APAP machine, Humidifier and/or mask.

I was kind of worried, because my script says "CPAP 7 1/2 cm w/ nasal pillows" But, sounds like that clears the way for my to get any one of those 4....

My original script....was a bit more detailed....saying things to the effect of "CPAP 7 cm, C-FLex 1-2, smartcard to evaluate effectiveness of therapy and compliance, and heated humidifier". There was a separate script for an Opti Life Mask w/Large Nasal Pillows. Which is how everything started.

But the 2nd script is basically to reflect the adjustment to my settings....7.5 cm now and no C-Flex. But, at the moment I'm using a nasal pillow mask. But, I think I want to be looking for a full face mask.....alternatively a nasal pillow mask like the CL2 but without the massive forehead covering would be nice.

However, I'm still sad about this change....since if it weren't for getting masks on my own and a different humidifer, I don't know if I would be compliant and experiencing the improvements of being on CPAP.

Strange that when I first started, I wanted to get another script to try different machines, etc. But, now that I have a script....and having things working....I'm not feeling the desire to rush out and get a new setup. Which isn't to say that I don't think of it now and then....everytime I hear about a severe thunderstorm coming, I think about the Everest. If only it wasn't the only option it a machine that can automatically switch to battery when needed, and its just CPAP and not fully data capable. Of the last 3 that hit...2 resulted in blackouts of ~6 hours and the other the power was very unstable... but so far the UPS handle things, and it has woken me up for the power events. Though I wonder if a machine that didn't need to wake me up....

About the only thought now is a separate travel machine....though I'm not sure I really want to like buy another machine like my current one (400M or 510M)...since I still want data and I have this humidifier...

The Dreamer.

[Tcamillemars]

To quote my daughter, "This sucks." I realize this is probably not the way cpap.com would want to do business. I would really like to know where this new rule originated. The person who came up with this idea should be forced to wear an old, ill-fitting mask that leaks and causes pressure ulcers on the bridge of the nose for 6 months until the insurance will allow a replacement. At that point, the originator can decide what to cut out of the monthly budget in order to afford the outrageous price the DMEs charge. Johnny, how do we fight this? We're on your side.

[El Pap]

To quote my daughter, "This sucks."

Why? They haven't changed their policy of not requiring a new prescription. Simply provide them with the one you were given when diagnosed, and you'll have carte blanche on an ongoing basis to buy as many humidifiers and masks as you'd like. (The policy clearly states that you don't need a separate prescription for the humidifier and/or mask, the one you got for CPAP, APAP or BiPAP will suffice)

[Guest]

Um, masks have ALWAYS required an Rx. Call the FDA or read the mask ownen manual. Funny how this seems so confusing to some people. Eye roll.

[Wulfman]

Um, masks have ALWAYS required an Rx. Call the FDA or read the mask ownen manual. Funny how this seems so confusing to some people. Eye roll.

Maybe you'd like to educate some of the sleep doctors out there.......
Four years ago, when mine wrote my prescription, he put nothing about a mask (or humidifier) on it......unless "NCPAP" is supposed to cover it. When I discussed this with my insurance provider with regard to reimbursement, they approved all of the equipment anyway. Their comment was that (paraphrasing) it would be kind of hard to do this therapy without something attached to my face to deliver the air to my airway. (and with regard to the humidifier, they said that humidifiers were becoming pretty much "standard" for this therapy)


Den

[Guest]

Again, Den, yet again, call the FDA and ask them whether Rx is required. How clearly do I have to keep typing this???

[Wulfman]

Again, Den, yet again, call the FDA and ask them whether Rx is required. How clearly do I have to keep typing this???

I don't have to call anybody. I've seen this "nonsense" beaten into everybody's heads before. I've read the manuals, too.
I'm not disputing the claim that they're SUPPOSED to be "prescribed" (at least to be able to get them through a brick & mortar DME).
What I was saying is that in my case, my stupid sleep doctor forgot it on my prescription. Thankfully, CPAP.COM (at that time and since then) didn't have to have it included on my prescription or that I needed a separate prescription for it.

More government stupidity. I've been saying for several years that at some point, all of these items will be on the shelves at Wal-Mart.......right next to the glucose meters and strips and the blood pressure testing equipment.


Den