American Home Patient Problem

[JQLewis]

I contacted American Home Patient well over a month ago to order a new mask. I had a prescription for the mask and submitted it to them. I also requested a new tube and filters. They submitted the request to my insurance company and received authorization. No supplies were sent. When I asked why, they said they had no prescription for the tube and filters. I sent them a prescription I had for a CPAP machine, expecting this would cover supplies as well, but they say no. They must have a prescription that says "supplies". Is there any law which requires this, or are they being absurd? Frankly, requiring a prescription for any CPAP related equipment seems ridiculous to me, but for a plastic tube? A filter?

[Janknitz]

They do need an RX for the mask, and I don't think the law requires a separate RX for the tubing and filters but your insurance may require it for reimbursement. Our hosts would contact your doctor on your behalf to get the prescription. Will they?

[palerider]

They must have a prescription that says "supplies". Is there any law which requires this, or are they being absurd? Frankly, requiring a prescription for any CPAP related equipment seems ridiculous to me, but for a plastic tube? A filter?

might be cheaper to buy any tubing and filters from ebay/amazon.

tubing doesn't need to be replaced regularly, just when the ends get too floppy to hold onto the mask/machine, or a cat claws holes in it.

[JQLewis]

They do need an RX for the mask, and I don't think the law requires a separate RX for the tubing and filters but your insurance may require it for reimbursement. Our hosts would contact your doctor on your behalf to get the prescription. Will they?

No, my insurance does not require a prescription for reimbursement. They have already authorized the order. I did a search and found another supply company, Direct Home Medical, and their webpage is pretty clear:

In compliance with FDA requlations, DirectHomeMedical requires a prescription for selected items sold on this site including CPAP and BiLevel Machines, CPAP Masks, Humidifiers, Provent Therapy, and Oxygen Concentrators. Prescriptions are NOT required for a wide range of other items including replacement parts such as headgear, tubing, filters, mask parts, machine parts, comfort accessories, and other supplies.

American Home Patient is busting my chops for no reason. They did contact the doctor who wrote the mask prescription, but since he's not my doctor, just someone I saw once, and because he probably knows it's unnecessary, he just blew them off. Running around getting prescriptions I need is enough of a headache. I'm not jumping through unnecessary hoops for them. They made me go to a lot of bother already, but rather than throw good time after bad, I'm going to try putting the order through this other company. I'm posting this in the hopes that it will save someone else this ridiculous headache. Why does everything related to OSA have to be such a PITA?

[squid13]

They do require a prescription for supplies. I got one that covered everything from cushions to pillows and chin straps, hoses, don't use a chin strap but had it covered anyway. I took it to my local office and they entered it into my main record or you can fax it to them at the main office in Memphis. After you fax it I'd call and make sure they got it.

[JQLewis]

Well, amazingly, after being assured several times by American Home Patient that my order had been approved by my insurance company, I just got a notice from my insurance company that the order was NOT approved, as AHP is not on their list of approved suppliers. So, back to square one.

[Thewino]

JQLewis,

Unfortunately for me, American Home Patient was chosen as my first DME. In all seriousness, I have never been treated so rudely in my life than by the employees of this company. I even wrote a letter to the Corporate Office in Tennessee for assistance but in the true exasperating way they conduct business, they choose to never respond to my complaints. Again: The corporate office never responded to a customer's written complaint. These are the type people you are dealing with. This was eight or nine months ago.

They are at the very bottom of my list for DME recommendations. In fact, I would pay cash before they received another dime from me.

I switched DME's and couldn't believe the difference. Now, I simply call a phone number and ask for whichever equipment I need and it is immediately mailed to my home address. It seems simple enough but AHP doesn't seem to care to operate in a civil or efficient manner. To save being treated abrasively and in an insulting manner, I would easily offer the same recommendation to you.

I hope your problems are resolved.

Be well,
TheWino

[squid13]

Unfortunately for me, American Home Patient was chosen as my first DME. In all seriousness, I have never been treated so rudely in my life than by the employees of this company.

Just goes to show for every bad there can be a good. I've been with them for close to 4 years and have never had a problem with them, they've been very good to me at the local office and over there I- 800 number.