New Medicare rule for CPAP supplies

[GreyEagle1]

As of January 1st, 2014 any CPAP user who is turning 65, and on Medicare will have some Hoops to jump through to get replacement CPAP supplies. Even if you have been using a CPAP for several years prior to now, the following must be on file with your supplier in order to be able to purchase supplies. A Letter of Record of a face to face meeting with your prescribing Doctor. This letter of record must include his comments on the benefits of you using the CPAP, a new prescription, your name, date of birth, date of order, diagnosis, the Doctor's signature and his or her "National Provider ID number". The National Provider ID number is not the same as your physician's professional number. I am simply astounded by this new rule, as I have been using a CPAP for the last 7 years, and just visited my Doctor 9 months ago. The cost, and additional paperwork are simply a waste.

[sleeplessinaz]

I visit my primary care doctor on a regular basis and he takes care of all my CPAP needs. There is no need to go to an expensive specialist!

[Leadhead]

GreyEagle
Does the new rule apply to those already over 65 on 1/31/2014 and previously on CPAP or just new Medicare folks after that date?

[LSAT]

As of January 1st, 2014 any CPAP user who is turning 65, and on Medicare will have some Hoops to jump through to get replacement CPAP supplies. Even if you have been using a CPAP for several years prior to now, the following must be on file with your supplier in order to be able to purchase supplies. A Letter of Record of a face to face meeting with your prescribing Doctor. This letter of record must include his comments on the benefits of you using the CPAP, a new prescription, your name, date of birth, date of order, diagnosis, the Doctor's signature and his or her "National Provider ID number". The National Provider ID number is not the same as your physician's professional number. I am simply astounded by this new rule, as I have been using a CPAP for the last 7 years, and just visited my Doctor 9 months ago. The cost, and additional paperwork are simply a waste.

Medicare pays for an annual physical with your primary care doctor. At that visit we discuss "sleep" and I get a new prescription..(although my DME has never asked for and update to the 3 year old prescription they have on file.) No cost to me at all.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I'm planning on asking my sleep doctor or my DME for a copy of my prescription. Can anyone direct me to the specific law that states I have a right to have a copy of my prescription

[Jay Aitchsee]

Sir, check the thread starting here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=94706&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... 15#p875774

[DeadlySleep]

I am simply astounded by this new rule

If you gonna depend on the gubmint to take care of you, you gotta do what the gubmint tells you.

[LSAT]

I'm planning on asking my sleep doctor or my DME for a copy of my prescription. Can anyone direct me to the specific law that states I have a right to have a copy of my prescription

Any doctor that will not give you a copy of your prescription by you merely asking does not deserve you as a patient. You should not need to refer to a specific law to make him comply,

[Janknitz]

But if you do want to quote the law it's commonly referred to as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). It's a FEDERAL law. http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/un ... ssmemo.pdf

You can just say "I know under HIPAA (sounds like "hippo" but with an "a" at the end) I'm entitled to a copy of my medical records. Please give me a copy of my prescription.

If they won't hand it over immediately, make your request in writing, singed and dated by you.

If you think there will be a problem, send the written request by CERTIFIED mail, return receipt requested and set a reasonable deadline (3 days, 7 days) for production of the requested documents.

Make sure you keep a copy of everything you send and receive.

[HerbM]

And with most good docs you can just ask the DME or other supplier to ask the Doc and he'll send it directly to them IF you don't feel the need to have your own copy.

I got my mask last week from CPap.com by merely giving the doc's info -- faster and easier than my asking for it and sending it to cpap.com.

There likely would have been no issue getting the doc's office to send directly to me since I did ask for my Sleep Study report and the doc's assistant emailed it straight over.

Really, if you don't have a good doc AND you can afford it then do try to find one, at least next time when you are renewing anyway.

Like the doc you saw 9 months ago can still send your prescription and letter up to a year from last visit (since that seems to be the 'standard' for apnea visits IF there are no complications or issues.)

[GreyEagle1]

This applies to those going on Medicare.

[wardmiller]

As of January 1st, 2014 any CPAP user who is turning 65, and on Medicare will have some Hoops to jump through to get replacement CPAP supplies. Even if you have been using a CPAP for several years prior to now, the following must be on file with your supplier in order to be able to purchase supplies. A Letter of Record of a face to face meeting with your prescribing Doctor. This letter of record must include his comments on the benefits of you using the CPAP, a new prescription, your name, date of birth, date of order, diagnosis, the Doctor's signature and his or her "National Provider ID number". The National Provider ID number is not the same as your physician's professional number. I am simply astounded by this new rule, as I have been using a CPAP for the last 7 years, and just visited my Doctor 9 months ago. The cost, and additional paperwork are simply a waste.

GreyEagle, can you provide the reference for that?

[SMenasco]

My DME was not a sucessful bidder to Medicare. So, to get a new mask or filters, I had to find a new DME if I want Medicare to pay for it. I had to make an appointment with the sleep doc, since it had been over a year since my last appointment, furnish a new prescription and all the other information listed above, a copy of my sleep study. Bureaucratic gobbledeegoop.

[star444]

... Bureaucratic gobbledeegoop.

Hold on to your hats because I'm sure it is only going to get worse!!

[imsleepynomore]

Ya the gov sure knows how to waste money . I have been using my CPAP daily for the past 5 + years when I needed to replace it I was required to have a face to face with my doc for the CPAP then repeat this at 30 and 90 days what a waste. Lucky for me I carry full medical coverage so no money out of pocket just a raise in next years preiumns