FDA CPAP Mask RX-only Enforcement Poll

[NiceDMEDude]

Having scoured the net (without success) for an answer to this burning question, I thought it best to turn to the true experts for an answer.

Since many of you do know how to easily assemble a complete mask by purchasing the components separately, I decided to have that as an option. However, please think back to a time when perhaps you didn't know how to accomplish this. As a newbie, did you know how to purchase each component to skirt the prescription-only issue?

Let's look not only at your current expertise, but historical (lack of) expertise.

Thanks for your help!

[Julie]

I'm curious as to why you're asking.

[BlackSpinner]

It is silly to require a prescription for masks. Actually it is silly to require a prescription for any of this stuff.

[LSAT]

Having scoured the net (without success) for an answer to this burning question, I thought it best to turn to the true experts for an answer.

Since many of you do know how to easily assemble a complete mask by purchasing the components separately, I decided to have that as an option. However, please think back to a time when perhaps you didn't know how to accomplish this. As a newbie, did you know how to purchase each component to skirt the prescription-only issue?

Let's look not only at your current expertise, but historical (lack of) expertise.

Thanks for your help!

Why would I want to skirt the prescription issue. Since I need a prescription for the CPAP anyway...it's also good for the mask. I have been using the same prescription for 3 years without any questions. If I need another, I can get one from any of my doctors or my dentist.

[NiceDMEDude]

Hi Julie,

Simply because so many XPAP users have expressed dismay and openly questioned the rationale behind the requirement. Nothing sinister, just trying to obtain some real-world feedback to determine if this law is beneficial (or detrimental) to the health of the end-user.

Not a troll

If you look back at my (extremely low) threads and responses, you'll see that this is a topic in which I am very interested.

I have my own theories and hypotheses, but need more data. Perhaps no one will answer the poll, or perhaps 100% of respondents will say that it's not an issue. Or, just perhaps, we'll gather some interesting feedback.

If anyone feels that the questions steer respondents in a biased manner, I will gladly rephrase the poll.

[palerider]

Simply because so many XPAP users have expressed dismay and openly questioned the rationale behind the requirement. Nothing sinister, just trying to obtain some real-world feedback to determine if this law is beneficial (or detrimental) to the health of the end-user.

how could the law possibly benefit anybody other than the 'medical community'?

there's certainly no benefit whatsoever to the end user.

[chunkyfrog]

. . . there's certainly no benefit whatsoever to the end user.

Agreed; the Rx requirement benefits insurance companies in particular, since it enables
them to delay/deny medical treatment for which they have been contracted to cover.
I doubt if there is any hope to repeal the law, and as a Medicare patient,
the existence of a prescription is necessary; but I cannot say the same for the forced rental of machines.

[kteague]

Personally, I have been inconvenienced by the need for a prescription for a mask. When a few years had lapsed and I relocated, no new vendor would supply me without a recent doctor's visit and providing all the current hoopla. Dr's visit cost me nearly as much as the mask. The flip side of this is many insurances don't cover non-prescription items, and a policy change would leave those insured users with this fairly hefty burden of expense. Have to wonder, out of all the CPAP users here, how many would be successful in their therapy if the entire burden of mask & tubing costs had been out-of-pocket? I have in recent years for the first time in my life been in the situation where at times there has not been even $1 left after living expenses. I can't imagine anyone else in that position taking on a treatment with this recurring expense. But rather than continue with the prescription route, I think more insurances should expand their coverage for non prescription items.

[Wulfman...]

For me, it hasn't made a difference. I had already purchased all of the masks I now have BEFORE they started enforcing the "Rx only" restriction (which I believe was in 2009). I also had accumulated quite a supply of non-Rx parts. But, a copy of my prescription has been on file with CPAP.COM since April of 2005, so I could order more (of anything) at any time.
I do think the "Rx only" restriction is a bunch of nonsense.......mostly because it can be (and has been) circumvented at all levels.

As a side note, I've never completely disassembled the primary masks I normally use (not necessary), but I have assembled a couple from a box of parts someone sent me last year. It's not rocket science, but lots of folks have gotten in trouble taking them apart and not being able to get them back together again without having problems (like leaks). Many are simple, but some have been more complicated with more parts.....like the UMFF.


Den

.

[Uncle Sigh]

I doubt if there is any hope to repeal the law

There is no law to be repealed. CPAP is just on an FDA list and the FDA could easily take it off.

[chunkyfrog]

--but it is not likely;
Law or not, it is probably beyond the reach of reasonable people to change it.

[StuUnderPressure]

Just another reason why one should have a copy in their possession at all times of their RX & Sleep Study Results to give to whoever "thinks" they need it.

[jencat824]

For my 2 cents worth - some Drs. (like mine) don't want to write 'open' RX for CPAP supplies. Why - they want you to use their DME (his sucks) or just one company (my Dr. prefers Philips Respironics - only). I finally got an 'open' RX for CPAP mask & supplies from another Dr. my primary care, so I can order anywhere online, including cpap.com.

Prior to obtaining this, I ordered from other web sites that still sell without you having a RX on file. I think they will eventually get in trouble, so their practice is probably going to be bad (or devastating) for their businesses. A couple of sites I used to buy from, before I found this forum and became an 'enlightened' patient would sell you the mask, then ask you to send them a RX if you didn't have one on file. Then they filled the order & never followed up about the RX. They will eventually get into trouble (IMHO), so I think they are too risky to be involved with anymore.

Before the RX policy, I had bought from cpap.com & I before I obtained a RX from another Dr. (compliments of what I learned after I found this forum) I would buy parts & assemble them. I used a mail-order DME (Nationwide Medical), so my regular mask was sent to me every 3 months (whether I needed it or not, totally another conversation), so I ordered masks I wanted to try, just got the parts, which cost more, but worked for my purpose. Now for anything my new DME doesn't have, such as a mask I just want to try, I order from cpap.com. I am a big user of aromatherapy, so I order that about every 3-4 months from cpap.com as well (no RX needed for this).

As for assembling the parts, it can be tricky with a more complicated mask, but if you look at the mask in the picture at cpap.com, and look for any youtube video about cleaning & reassembling, this will usually get you the desired results. The trick is to make sure you get all the parts, a couple of times I omitted a part & had to place another order, which usually resulted in addition S&H (a bummer). If you are ordering parts from Ebay, be really careful. I never ordered from there, but if I had, I would have disinfected them really well, I am not sure if they are used, most are not supposed to be, but I always wondered, so didn't order from there.

Bottom line - try to get any Dr. or dentist to write you a RX for a cpap mask & supplies & keep a copy handy at all times. I also have a RX for my machine too & my hubby's as well. I learned here on this forum that this is really a must, not just handy as I had previously thought. If you travel & your machine konk's out that RX can help you get a rental or another machine really fast, likewise a new mask if yours breaks while you are away from home.

One other thing. I always have a backup mask at home & take one when traveling. Since becoming a forum member, I now have enough machines for back-up for both myself & my hubby. Not necessarily the exactly the back-up's I want, but at least working machines for each of us. I plan to get exact replica's of what we are now using for a travel trailer we are looking to buy for vacation/retirement.

Having that RX gives you freedom & choices, so you may want to re-think that priority & look for one of the Dr's or dentist you see to help you obtain one.

Jen

[BlackSpinner]

Another problem with OTC is that it isn't tax deductible (Canada) in many cases. I have just been fighting the CRA because the parents got audited and they disallowed over $7000 worth of medical expenses much of it over the counter or disputed as such.

[zoocrewphoto]

Will insurance pay for something that does not require a prescription? I agree that it seems stupid to require a prescription, but I have a bad feeling that removing that requirement would suddenly cancel all insurance coverage for these supplies. My cardiologist told me to get a blood pressure monitor, but I had to pay out of pocket since it did not require a prescription.

Also, I have one medication that is available OTC or prescription. I get it free with insurance if I have a prescription. Full price if I go with OTC.

Be careful what you ask for.