Is prescription necessary to order equipment?

[catfootfog]

I've been diagnosed with severe apnea after two lab tests, the last with a mask.
Now, a month later I still don't have a prescription although the doctor's staff says he's been reminded three times.
I am desperate: fear sleeping, cannot drive, etc.
Can I order equipment online without a prescription?

[mark56usa]

Medical equipment such as CPAP machines are regulated in manner very similar to that of prescription drugs, and require a prescriber's order for purchase.

[El Pap]

Yes, you need a prescription to buy CPAP equipment, although some people get around it by buying used gear on Craig's List. If I were you, I'd drive over to that doctors office and pressure the staff to catch him between patients and get him to write the script. It's your life and your health - make yourself a pain-in-the-butt to that doc if you need to. Once you have the script, find another doctor, since this one is obviously too busy to treat you.

[mallen4258]

You need an Rx for the xPAP machine, but not anyting else (i.e. mask, chin strap if needed, supplies, etc.). Like El Pap said, go to the Dr.'s office and ask the staff to catch him between patients to write the prescription.

[kebsa]

i agree the others who advice that you keep on at the Doctors staff until you get that script, including going to the office on a day that you know he will be there- Yes, these Doctors can be busy, but that still does not mean its right to make you wait- from his point of view it may seem that there is less urgency, they see people with sleep apnea all the time and i think that can make them a little uncaring- from his point of view, he probably thinks that you may have had the problem for sone time and its just that you have now been diagnosed- they do not factor into it, the fact that as soon as you are aware of the problem the anxiety levels go up and tend to stay up unitl you start treatment. having said that, i am not defending his slowness regarding the script- what i will say, is remember the saying, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"- make yourself a pest unitl you get your prescription

[Guest]

you need a Rx for both machine AND mask - just because a few fly-by-night internet vendors believe they can write their own laws doesn't make it legal. Don't believe me? Call the FDA - LOL. Clouds are on the horizon.

[DoriC]

We went to our Dr's office the same day we got a copy of the sleep study, asked his nurse to catch him in between patients, she showed him the results and recommendations and he wrote an RX for an auto with a setting range based on the titration, and mask of patient's choice. We had no problems getting it filled at the DME. We never need a new RX for replacement masks. Good luck.

[Guest]

good job Dori - patronize your local DME!

[Synergy Resp Care]

Heres an idea that the doctor will love. Tell him that if you die in the night your family will sue. It is absolutly rediculous to have to wait that long for the sleep study to be read so you can get a script. Once you do get the script, tell the Medical equipment provider of your choice that you want set up right away, so they prioritize you. Laura RRT

[kona0197]

Easy for all of you to say go get a RX for a sleep machine. What about all us poor souls who are unemployed and without healthcare?

Yeah thanks for looking out for us who fear sleeping as it may be our last simply cause we can't find a job...

[ziggytosh]

It's easy as pie to get one off Craigslist, often for less than your copay. just search for CPAP. Best to get it through doc ... but if that fails ...

[Silver Pelt]

Even with a prescription in hand, some shopping can save money.

http://www.cpapauction.com

or google "site:craigslist.org CPAP" (removed the quotes) or just click http://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Ac ... t.org+CPAP

I found the machine I wanted, brand new, including a mask, at a great price.

[kona0197]

Kinda funny actually as I don't even use mine. I can't. My other post was just to stick up for people in that situation.

[tomjax]

I wish someone would provide the regulation that requires a prescription.
I have searched for this and am unable to come up with it.

A PRESCRIPTION IS NOT THE SAME AS AN ORDER.

Companies have adopted a POLICY to require a PRESCRIIPTIN, but cannot document it.

This will NEVER stop those from blindly falling in line.
SHOW ME THE LAW.

[Pugsy]

I wish someone would provide the regulation that requires a prescription.
I have searched for this and am unable to come up with it.

I had a pharmacy tell me once that I couldn't buy insulin syringes without a prescription. (Diabetic dog)
Told me that it was a federal law. Bull hockey. Might have been individual store policy and I could have respected that answer.
The tech who did my titration study flat out told me that it was against the law for me to have the software to see my own data. Obviously with that statement anything else he says loses all credibility.

Anytime a "guest" poster makes comments, like here in this thread, without documentation to back it up I file those remarks in the trash can. Maybe he/she is an employee of a DME that has a company policy about prescriptions for supplies and maybe this employee has been told and believes it to be law. Maybe.... they are just a troll wanting to stir up trouble.