Funny call from sleep doctors office today

[Krelvin]

Phone rings, don't recognize the number or the name.

Them> Hello, this is Dr XXXXX's office to make sure you will be at the appointment you have on Thursday this week...
Me> What Dr is this?
Them> This is Dr XXXX's office for the visit you have scheduled for this week.
Me> What does this Doctor do? I don't recall the name...
Them> He is a Sleep specialist doctor and this is your 1 year followup.
Me> Oh... I really don't need a followup. Everything is fine and I am not having any issues.
Them> Oh, well you need to do the followup so that you get your RX's renewed.
Me> I have copies of my RX's now and they are good for a long time.
Them> You need to get them rewewed so the Insurance will cover them.
Me> I don't bother with insurance for masks and hoses and supplies, I can get them cheaper and don't need an RX for that.
Them> Oh, should have to have a Prescription for those types of items to buy them.
Me> Not really, I can also have my PCP write me a RX if I really need one for everything other than a new machine.
Them> They should not be able to do that.
Me> You do know that for 8 years I got masks, supplies etc... and never even saw a sleep doctor once. I never even saw one when I got my first machine. I don't see the point of having a followup visit when I have no issues or problems.
Them> We really need you to come in.
Me> Perhaps if you paid me to show up then? I don't have any free time, but if you are paying for visits, I could arrange that for my time.
Them> stutter.... we can't pay you for a visit, the insurance pays that.
Me> then I pay a co-pay and I don't see the need. Not really interested. If I need RX's which I really don't I will get them from my PSP who I already see 2-3 times a year for a lot less money and certainly a lot less hassle getting to her office. No thanks.
Them> Well if you find that you need an RX, you will have to set up a new appointment.
Me> Okay... not likely but thanks....

click.

Thought it was a good try to have them pay me to go to appointment since it is way on the other side of town and not easy to get to, but unfortunately, they didn't bite...

[flightco]

Enjoyed every line of your post

[Wulfman...]

THAT is hilarious!!!

Thanks for sharing.
I wish my old sleep doctor's office would call me for a similar reason. Ain't gonna happen though. Hasn't happened in 10 1/2 years.......no way at this point in time.


Den

.

[chunkyfrog]

One of our former DME's called us both with a "reminder" that we had not been there in a while. (3 YEARS)
We told them that we had moved on to another provider;
and we would prefer they remove our phone numbers from their call list.

[amenite]

I went to a first followup six months after my diagnosis and when they told me they don't look at any of the data except compliance I made sure I got a copy of the prescription. Then I politely cancelled when they called to remind me about the next followup six months later. They kept me waiting over a month for the initial followup and prescription after my sleep study was first done - when my AHI was > 100. They can step off IMO.

[Lucyhere]

I had a similar situation, but with my former DME. After about five minutes of nonsense, I wasn't as nice as you were. It was obvious this person had no idea what sleep apnea even was. I considered talking to the owner of the company -- but what for --- found another DME that doesn't hire people to make cold calls, by people who have no idea what they are talking about.

[pwgphoto]

Great post. Sort of like my DME telling me I needed to change the mask cushion of my new DreamWear mask every two weeks and replace all these other parts of my system at ridiculously short intervals. Like the water chamber for the humidifier at something like six months. I am new at this, but it's made of plastic and I use distilled water, shouldn't it last a bit longer? As far as the mask cushions, I said to her, I have an $800 deductible before insurance pays anything, so don't expect to be on your schedule for replacement items, I will get stuff when I feel I really need stuff. If my insurance paid 100% right off the bat, that is one thing, but this stuff is coming out of pocket and I don't have the cash.

Anyway, love your post.

[Ladyflower]

Lol. That's funny.

My husbands DME keeps in touch to replace his mask and supplies once or twice a year. They just called him a couple months back and since he had already met his deductible I told him to order all new stuff. it would be cheaper than buying the items on his own from Ebay.

The only time my DME has ever called me was to get my insurance and compliance squared away when I first started therapy. It's been about 1 1/2 years since I've heard from them. Guess I was too much of a pain in the butt, they don't want to talk to me anymore.

Maybe you'll get added to the "list" now too Krelvin!

[SewTired]

If my insurance paid 100% right off the bat, that is one thing, but this stuff is coming out of pocket and I don't have the cash.

Anyway, love your post.

Actually, it's because many insured have 100% coverage that these systems started for getting more bucks. My brother had over a dozen masks that had NEVER BEEN USED because they kept sending them. He was 100% covered so didn't care. He wasn't even using his machine at the time and actually needed a different mask. Really annoys me when FAMILY members, who are smart enough to know better, do this crap. That is why they added more hoops to get stuff through Medicare. The hoops are really difficult to manage for those with no car and no money at all, but they are forced into it by lazy and greedy people. ....ok..off soapbox.

[Sheriff Buford]

Krelvin: how do you get masks without a prescription? unless... you get it off Ebay....

Sheriff

[SewTired]

Krelvin: how do you get masks without a prescription? unless... you get it off Ebay....

Sheriff

You can order mask parts. Several of the online stores actually include it as a check box to include with your order when you order just one part of the mask. That is how I got my Wisp originally. Ordered the headgear and was offered a check box to select the mask and the nosepiece. The only problem with this is that you have to guess at the size, but I could have ordered all 3, of course. Just not a WHOLE mask in one selection.

[Krelvin]

Krelvin: how do you get masks without a prescription? unless... you get it off Ebay....

Sheriff

Last year, when I had already reach my max co-pay and out of pocket experiences, I got 2 sets of masks brand new from the DME. They are unopened and sealed.

However outside of that, I get mask parts.

I have this year bought some mask parts to use when I do need them, as I saw good pricing (Ebay - 5 brand new heated hoses from Ebay for ~$55), some new cusions for the Flexfit 432 that I have not used, same for the Quattro air. Sometimes you can find them on Amazon as well.

I don't use the heated hoses now, so I just get 8ft regular hoses instead, along with filters from our host or other sources. I always have spare hoses.

If I wanted another machine, I would just buy one without bothering with insurance.

[Janknitz]

Your response makes me smile.

Imagine if they called 10 people today and got similar responses from all 10. MAYBE they'd start to get the message.

But, nah, it will never happen . . .

[cathyf]

The hoops are really difficult to manage for those with no car and no money at all, but they are forced into it by lazy and greedy people. ....ok..off soapbox.

Amen!