Mask Need a Script?

[jameslv-nv]

Hey all, Listen great feedback in my other post and tomorrow is my doctors appoint..i gotta twist his arm to get a script for machine as I needed it yesterday. Thought appoint was last monday but I goofed it's tomorrow.

Anyway, One thing I'm not clear on is will I need a script for the mask or will the script for a machine be sufficient?

Again thanks for all your feedback and help.

[Wulfman]

Hey all, Listen great feedback in my other post and tomorrow is my doctors appoint..i gotta twist his arm to get a script for machine as I needed it yesterday. Thought appoint was last monday but I goofed it's tomorrow.

Anyway, One thing I'm not clear on is will I need a script for the mask or will the script for a machine be sufficient?

Again thanks for all your feedback and help.

It may depend on where you're buying your stuff.
CPAP.COM only needs the machine prescription.......can't say what the brick & mortar shops require.......I'm guessing something more specific or maybe just "mask of patient's choice". If you can get 'em to put that on the Rx, you'd probably be covered with all vendors. It's also my interpretation that prescriptions for brick & mortar shops may expire in a year or so........however, unless otherwise specified on the document, they're good for life with online sellers.


Den

[archangle]

I've ordered masks online without a prescription. Just the machine and humidifiers seem to need prescriptions.

Be sure the doctor gives you a written prescription. Don't surrender the original to an equipment provider. Give them a copy. If they object, go look for another provider or see if they can call the doctor's office.

[Wulfman]

Here's a link that may help.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescriptions.html


Den

[builta]

I think that you will find that this varies. If you are planning to use insurance then almost all DMEs will say yes. So, a lot will just say yes. If you are buying with cash (like previous responses have suggested about "on-line DMEs") then the machine script may be sufficient to "imply" that you would actually need a mask to go along with the machine

In any case get a script for "mask of patients choice" and supplies at least once a year from your doc. DMEs are afraid that the insurance company will deny the claim if the script is over a year old.

Follow Wulfman's link there is lots of information there.

Cheers

[archangle]

I think most providers assume a CPAP machine prescription implies you need a hose, mask, and supplies as well.

Talk the doctor into specifying a humidifier. You'll probably need one, and can always remove it or not put water in it if you don't need it. Without it, you may wake up with a horribly dry throat. Ask for a prescription for an AUTO CPAP machine as well. That way if they set the pressure too low, it will self adjust. Also, most of the auto models record data that you can check to see how it's working.

I've bought masks without a prescription at cpapxchange.com.

[jameslv-nv]

Thanks everyone for you input and post.

Will be in touch once I get my gear!

Thank you

[Otter]

The FDA requires a script to purchase a mask. Any CPAP script will probably do for online, but the only DME here that had the Quattro FX and would shut up long enough for me to explain I needed the large headgear refused to deal with me when they realized I hadn't had a sleep study. Didn't matter that I had a script. Expect a certain tyrannical idiocy if you deal with a local DME.

So if you get your mask locally, or at least go try some on (which really is a good idea), you might want to make sure your doc writes the words "mask" and "supplies". Have him write a pressure range too, but specify that all controls are to be left open. That may help a local DME get past the terror of a patient who has not had a sleep study and is allowed to touch the buttons. Whatever you do, don't say, "I don't know," if they ask about your pressure over the phone. Instead, try, "It's on my prescription. I don' t have it right here, but I'll bring it with me." Something like that might have gotten me a fitting, but somehow I thought that a physicians order would be enough.

[TalonNYC]

I concur with earlier posters about going through CPAP.com (our hosts). As I mentioned earlier today, their customer service is GREAT, and they will call the doctor for you to get your Rx without having to order something first. The benefit to this is that 1) you can buy stuff through CPAP.com that requires the Rx and - here's the important part - 2) your Rx will be in downloadable format on the site (only after you login, of course) so you can print it out for other vendors too.

They got mine from my doc within about 6 hours, whereas I'd have to go into the city to pick it up by hand otherwise (about 1 day all told).

[archangle]

Any CPAP script will probably do for online, but the only DME here that had the Quattro FX and would shut up long enough for me to explain I needed the large headgear refused to deal with me when they realized I hadn't had a sleep study. Didn't matter that I had a script. Expect a certain tyrannical idiocy if you deal with a local DME.

You should see if you can file a complaint against that DME with whoever regulates them. I wouldn't be surprised if there are legal requirements that anyone allowed to fill a prescription is required to fill that prescription.

Imagine if a pharmacist said "I refuse to fill this insulin prescription because I think I know more than your doctor."

[archangle]

The FDA requires a script to purchase a mask.

Is that true, or is that another rumor like "it's illegal to adjust your own CPAP machine?"

[TalonNYC]

The FDA requires a script to purchase a mask.

Is that true, or is that another rumor like "it's illegal to adjust your own CPAP machine?"

I know that I had to have a Rx when I got my mask.

[pitrow]

The FDA requires a script to purchase a mask.

Is that true, or is that another rumor like "it's illegal to adjust your own CPAP machine?"

I'm almost 100% certain that the last mask I bought had "RX REQUIRED" written in big letters on the insert in the bag.

On edit:

here

[archangle]

The FDA requires a script to purchase a mask.

Is that true, or is that another rumor like "it's illegal to adjust your own CPAP machine?"

I know that I had to have a Rx when I got my mask.

I'm sure many DME's require a prescription, but we know how much to believe what they say. I suspect many insurance companies require a prescription as well. I'm wondering if the FDA requires it. There might even be some online providers who require it.

I'm wondering if the FDA/US law actually requires it.

I'm not saying it's not required, just looking for an authoritative reference.

[archangle]

The FDA requires a script to purchase a mask.

Is that true, or is that another rumor like "it's illegal to adjust your own CPAP machine?"

I'm almost 100% certain that the last mask I bought had "RX REQUIRED" written in big letters on the insert in the bag.

Thanks, but the mask manufacturer could write that on the bag or the mask, but that doesn't mean it's the law. The mask manufacturer could be like a lot of companies that want to protect their preferred sellers and distribution chain and direct you to authorized dealers. Heck, they might even stretch the truth and claim "US law requires..."