What does a DME actually do? MY story

[Autopapdude]

Well, NO. This is not YOUR thread. Your choice of title and content confers on you no special rights nor privileges. There is, on the other hand, a presumed obligation (by choice, not strictly enforced) of civility, which you have chosen to ignore.

No, I don't own the content of the message board, just my story. It was posted so as to provide my personal point of view and was done so with total civility. Yours is a response that is lacking in empathy and kindness, not my original intent. My request to Leejbt was to find another thread so as to shill for his business and his alleged skills, and let my story stand on its merits, or lack thereof.

[LinkC]

And my explanation of why the law you quoted does NOT apply to the situation under discussion was wasted on insensitive "between the ears".

Why is it that when you are shown to be wrong you always fall back on claims of "pissing contests"? The law is quite clear. The language within it is quite clear. No need for a lawyer to explain it to ME. If YOU don't understand it, perhaps you shouldn't be dispensing advice and bogus claims about what it says.

Knowing how you feel about "your" topics being "hijacked", I'll leave it at that. Until next time you misinterpret the law, of course...

Carry on...

[cinco777]

LinkC, in this age of digital transmissions (fax, scanned digital images as e-mail attachments, digital photo image galleries on websites, etc.), I have found that a digital copy of my CPAP prescriptions (I have one from 2006 and one from 2009) have satisfied the requests of two online DMEs as I received a machine & supplies from one, and a mask & supplies from another. If a digitally sent copy of my RX meets all their legal FDA requirements, where is the need for an original "paper" RX for CPAP-related equipment?

I do realize that my Pharmacist requires the original Dr. signed RX if I walk in and place the order. However, I, my family, and friends have all ordered medicines over the internet (think Canada) without supplying the original RX. We only transmitted a digital copy. Did the same when I changed from one employer-provided online RX provider to another - all I had to do was fax my RXs to them. Both online Bulk RX providers (get 3 months supply for the price of 1 or 2 months) are here in the USA.

I would appreciate your thoughts on how you are handling this new age of digital transmission of most anything and everything. I, myself, like it as it is much less time-consuming for me to get things accomplished.

[mattman]

Thank you, Mattman. That seems appropriate as regulations now stand. HOWEVER, what would you do if the patient's choice of settings provided better sleep and improved data? Would you TELL the patient you were changing the settings to the scripted settings and WHY? Would you contact the scripting physician to suggest changing the scripted settings and why or would you suggest to the patient that THEY contact their sleep physician for a scripted change to the settings the patient found worked best or would you just ignore the improved sleep and data and reset to the scripted settings w/o making any recommendations to patient or scripting doctor??

Oh obviously, of course. In fact that's already what a huge portion of time is spent on as it is. Getting prescriptions that either flat out aren't right for whatever reason or ones that seem out of whack OR dealing with an existing patient where something is clearly not right.

We call around to various doctor offices and work with patients, families, doctors, hospitals and nurses to try and get things straightened out. Sometimes it just can't happen immediately and we still have no choice but to leave equipment set at whatever our current orders suggest. However that doesn't mean the end of it either. Patients are clearly told something needs to be fixed and shown exactly who and where (To the best we can determine) to call to get it changed. Plus it's also our job to continue doing the same thing on our end.

Hell the last place I worked had to hire a full time employee who does nothing all day long but call doctors offices trying to get prescriptions updated and changed. That's it. 8-9 hours a day just to get prescriptions changed for patients who need it.

[mattman]

LinkC, in this age of digital transmissions (fax, scanned digital images as e-mail attachments, digital photo image galleries on websites, etc.), I have found that a digital copy of my CPAP prescriptions (I have one from 2006 and one from 2009) have satisfied the requests of two online DMEs as I received a machine & supplies from one, and a mask & supplies from another. If a digitally sent copy of my RX meets all their legal FDA requirements, where is the need for an original "paper" RX for CPAP-related equipment?

I do realize that my Pharmacist requires the original Dr. signed RX if I walk in and place the order. However, I, my family, and friends have all ordered medicines over the internet (think Canada) without supplying the original RX. We only transmitted a digital copy. Did the same when I changed from one employer-provided online RX provider to another - all I had to do was fax my RXs to them. Both online Bulk RX providers (get 3 months supply for the price of 1 or 2 months) are here in the USA.

I would appreciate your thoughts on how you are handling this new age of digital transmission of most anything and everything. I, myself, like it as it is much less time-consuming for me to get things accomplished.

Speaking from experience, some insurance companies specifically require an actual pad Rx, not a copy. Also, there are some specific equipment items that require a signed Rx even when the insurance will accept digital transmissions or hospital chart orders for other items.

On a semi-related note I can name a doctor right off the top of my head here in town who refuses to get or use a fax machine. Anytime that doctor orders something he calls us and we have to drive to his office and pick it up.

[Slinky]

Thank you, Mattman. Several times I have suggested that a patient contact their local DME supplier's RRT for assistance in getting thru to the doctor that "things just ain't right". I just wanted to know if that is considered part of a local DME provider's responsibility as I thought it was or not.

[cinco777]

mattman wrote

cinco777 wrote:
LinkC, in this age of digital transmissions (fax, scanned digital images as e-mail attachments, digital photo image galleries on websites, etc.), I have found that a digital copy of my CPAP prescriptions (I have one from 2006 and one from 2009) have satisfied the requests of two online DMEs as I received a machine & supplies from one, and a mask & supplies from another. If a digitally sent copy of my RX meets all their legal FDA requirements, where is the need for an original "paper" RX for CPAP-related equipment?

I do realize that my Pharmacist requires the original Dr. signed RX if I walk in and place the order. However, I, my family, and friends have all ordered medicines over the internet (think Canada) without supplying the original RX. We only transmitted a digital copy. Did the same when I changed from one employer-provided online RX provider to another - all I had to do was fax my RXs to them. Both online Bulk RX providers (get 3 months supply for the price of 1 or 2 months) are here in the USA.

I would appreciate your thoughts on how you are handling this new age of digital transmission of most anything and everything. I, myself, like it as it is much less time-consuming for me to get things accomplished.

Speaking from experience, some insurance companies specifically require an actual pad Rx, not a copy. Also, there are some specific equipment items that require a signed Rx even when the insurance will accept digital transmissions or hospital chart orders for other items.

On a semi-related note I can name a doctor right off the top of my head here in town who refuses to get or use a fax machine. Anytime that doctor orders something he calls us and we have to drive to his office and pick it up.

Why are you referring to insurance companies in your response. My posting has to do with online DMEs and online Pharmacists. I have a Dr. who rides a bicycle to work.

[LinkC]

If a digitally sent copy of my RX meets all their legal FDA requirements,

That's a big "if". ARE they operating legally? I know some online CPAP suppliers will accept a digital 'script from the patient. (Frankly, I'm guessing there isn't much illegal trafficking in CPAP equipment...)

I also know in Florida a fax sent DIRECTLY FROM the prescribing physician is legal. Further, the dispensing pharmacy ALWAYS keeps the original 'script. And presenting a photocopy at the pharmacy won't fly. Otherwise, you'd have lowlifes copying their 'scripts and hitting up every pharmacy in town. (I don't think it's the insurance companies driving that policy, tho, as mattman suggests.) Maybe online suppliers have stricter rules for the "good stuff"? It's a pretty good system. (And nothing in HIPAA countermands it...)

I don't buy prescription drugs/equipment online. I guess that's how *I* "handle" it. Not that I wouldn't, but so far, all my prescribed meds are short term. And I fill them on the way home from the Dr. I wouldn't want to wait for UPS for relief. My CPAP came from a local DME--the result of a faxed 'script from my sleep doc's office. (Actually, *I* dictated it to the receptionist, using the specific language the DME required to give me an Auto...but that's another story!)

[Julie]

Autopapdude - Scarlet said she is faxing data and if you look at her profile, she says she has a smart card, but is unsure about software. If I misunderstood that to mean one thing (vs what the name of the software is) then I apologize.

[cinco777]

LinkC wrote

That's a big "if". ARE they operating legally? I know some online CPAP suppliers will accept a digital 'script from the patient.

Both CPAP.COM and CPAPSUPPLY.com accept digital "script" from the patient so add them to your list.

[Autopapdude]

That's a big "if". ARE they operating legally? I know some online CPAP suppliers will accept a digital 'script from the patient. (Frankly, I'm guessing there isn't much illegal trafficking in CPAP equipment...)

I also know in Florida a fax sent DIRECTLY FROM the prescribing physician is legal. Further, the dispensing pharmacy ALWAYS keeps the original 'script. And presenting a photocopy at the pharmacy won't fly. Otherwise, you'd have lowlifes copying their 'scripts and hitting up every pharmacy in town. (I don't think it's the insurance companies driving that policy, tho, as mattman suggests.) Maybe online suppliers have stricter rules for the "good stuff"? It's a pretty good system. (And nothing in HIPAA countermands it...)

I don't buy prescription drugs/equipment online. I guess that's how *I* "handle" it. Not that I wouldn't, but so far, all my prescribed meds are short term. And I fill them on the way home from the Dr. I wouldn't want to wait for UPS for relief. My CPAP came from a local DME--the result of a faxed 'script from my sleep doc's office. (Actually, *I* dictated it to the receptionist, using the specific language the DME required to give me an Auto...but that's another story!)

It's a PRETTY GOOD SYSTEM? I bet you're virulently opposed to the public option in healthcare as well. If you don't see that the insurance company/medical provider relationship is exploiting the consumer, I guess you are happy enough in your own little situation that you don't grasp the big picture. You're probably one of the folks who call the supporters of health care reform "Socialists."

[mattman]

Why are you referring to insurance companies in your response. My posting has to do with online DMEs and online Pharmacists. I have a Dr. who rides a bicycle to work.

Sorry, I just saw you asking "where is the need for an original "paper" RX for CPAP-related equipment" and I didn't realize you were talking about paying cash.

I thought you were asking a general question in response to someone else saying it might be needed.

No worries!

[cinco777]

LinkC wrote

I don't buy prescription drugs/equipment online. I guess that's how *I* "handle" it. Not that I wouldn't, but so far, all my prescribed meds are short term.

I'm a "numbers" type guy (and also thrifty), so let me share a sample of the savings available by ordering from online Pharmacies. This example is for a Canadian one:

My grown daughter has coverage only for generic drugs. One of her RXs isn't. She checked the local pharmacies and found that the lowest price was $50/month. Buying online, she just informed me, gets her 3 months for $70. This is a savings of $80 (53%) over a three-month period. Put another way, she would pay more than double for the RX by buying locally. She is not rich so savings like these are helpful as she can use the savings for something fun like seeing a concert.

Another example, this one for me:

With my present online pharmacy (here in the USA), I get 3-months of supply (actually 90 days) at the price of one-month if bought locally. Adds up to considerable savings, plus all I have to do to get a refill is logon and, with a few mouse clicks, the order will be on its way (usually 2 -3 days via USPS). Saves me driving to a local pharmacy and waiting in line for a minimum of 15 minutes. I like the new online shopping. Don't know how I got by without it (and the internet) for most of my life.

[LinkC]

[quote="Autopapdude]It's a PRETTY GOOD SYSTEM? [/quote]

Yes, the system for prescriptions here in Florida works pretty well. Do you disagree?

Or are you attempting to hijack your own topic with nonsense about nationalized healthcare?

Run along now, the grownups are talking.

[Autopapdude]

Deleted--Will not engage in Ad Hominem attacks with Link.