when is your prescription valid to fill?

[Cardsfan]

Take a picture of the prescription, email it to http://www.cpap.com (our sponsor), and see what they tell you. You don't have to purchase anything, just see what they say.
Another trusted vendor is http://www.secondwindcpap.com. You could send them a copy also of what paperwork you already have.

[Okie bipap]

Check with your insurance company and see if there are any other DME suppliers you can use. If you have a valid prescription, the DME cannot add make you have another sleep study. It is time to find a new DME!!

[Grouch]

This whole things does sound suspicious.

However, I'm on Medicare and recently went to my sleep doc to get a new machine. He wrote the script. But he did warn me that insurance (or the DME) might insist on a new sleep study, since I was switching brands of machines. They didn't, but he made it sound like they could. My last sleep test was over 5 years ago.

In your case you already have a recent sleep test, so this sounds pretty unreasonable. I'd speak to a manager at the DME to find out why.

[sc0ttt]

That is strange - maybe it's a miscommunication between your insurance and your DME?

My prescription says it's good for 99 months.

[TASmart]

You keep on posting how this DME is not working for you, is borderline illegal and apparently not interested in doing business with you. Why are you messing around with them, go to a different DME today!

Edit - you can read the prescription what does it say?

It is valid from the moment it is signed (physically or electronically) by the physician.

[LSAT]

The prescription must have a pressure indicated. Just like a prescription for meds...not only what med but how much and when.

[Goofproof]

i do think i checked the cpap.com site and did not find the machine i wanted to get or anything similar

What one do you want, they have all the Major players, except Black & Decker, or Echo! Jim

[Cardsfan]

Does your paperwork for the prescription have a pressure setting on it? Because I look at http://www.cpap.com's website. It states a prescription has to have the pressure setting on it.
My prescription has the pressure setting on it.

[HoseCrusher]

If I were in your position I would take a little different approach...

I would first step back and decide if it is possible that xPAP therapy will be a benefit. Once you have that answer you will realize that every day you don't apply the therapy results in a day of damage to your body and mental well being.

This would motivate me to action...

I would approach the problem by purchasing a second hand machine with my own money. This way I can begin therapy while I gain perspective, interview future DME candidates, interview future sleep doctors, and sort everything out with the insurance company. Remember the DME and sleep doctor work for you so set your standards high and fire any that don't live up to your expectations.

At this point the urgency is removed and you can follow a predetermined logical path and get your needs met.

It will cost you a little out of pocket but if you pay yourself a decent wage and figure out the amount of time you have spent you may find that it is actually a bargain.

In the end you will end up with a new machine covered by insurance, and have a back up machine for minimal cost.

My priorities may be different than yours, but I view treatment as an aid to helping me and if I can start that treatment soon the sooner the better.

Just my perspective...