physician approval to purchase cpap

My question : Can I get a physician approval to purchase cpap equipment and support on line? In July of 2011 I had the following indications: Witnessed Apnea, EDS, Snoring. In June of 2011 I took a SPLIT-NIGHT POLYSOMNOGRAM. I have the results of the testing (6 pages). I was told I should start using a cpap, made an appointment with a technician for fitting and device info, but delayed getting the device for personal and financial reasons. I would like to move forward now but was told by the nurse for the referring physician that since it has been almost 4 years I needed my primary care physician to refer me to the referring physician to see if I needed a retest. Is there any way to submit my documents to a physician on line to review, fill out a questionnaire, and refer me to a device provider without starting all over? My situation, physical parameters are the same but my sleep and breathing problems seem to be getting worse. At the minimum I would like to avoid the cost of two office visits (primary care provider and referral doctor) and worst case having to pay for another sleep study. Thanks for any assistance.

Hate to say it, but your machine settings are based on your MD's prescription, which was based on your test results of 4 yrs ago... and you yourself say things are now worse, so it seems to me you need to be retested, if only using an at-home test (ask your doctor about that). It would be to your advantage to have an up to date picture of things after all.

And any MD I've ever known (worked in hosps all my life) would never just accept another MDs 'results' of 4 yrs ago to go ahead and prescribe for you now, let alone online (not knowing you at all).

As long as you are paying out of pocket, get a copy of your sleep studies,
and ask another health professional to write a prescription. Even your dentist.
{{{Julie, what machine? The OP indicated she did NOT get a machine.}}}

Thanks for the replies -- much appreciated. If I can get a dentist to write a prescription based on four year old results isn't there an ambitious cpap sales rep that can recommend an online licensed practitioner who can do the same?

You can also check your local Craigs List to see if a used is available in your area. Then you don't prescription.

Also here is a link for some one selling:
viewtopic/t106015/For-Sale-New-AirCurve ... t-650.html

here is a good machine : $400 shiped to usa.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/hab/5021690127.html

Chunky - I was referring to machine settings in general, of the future, etc... quite obvious they didn't have one.

A doctor cannot write a prescription without seeing you. That is how some have lost their medical licenses. Get a copy of your sleep study and ask your current primary to write a prescription for an auto machine. A referral isn't required.

Are you wanting to use your insurance to pay for the machine now? If so, you will need a RX from someone in order to get a DME supplier to dispense and machine and file insurance for you.

Now if you just want to buy a machine on your own and get started...the 2 machines that someone link to above would be good options for you. Both STLMark and grayghost4 are trusted forum members.
Masks also require a RX but there are ways of getting around that little hurdle pretty easily depending on which mask you want.

SewTired wrote:A doctor cannot write a prescription without seeing you. That is how some have lost their medical licenses. Get a copy of your sleep study and ask your current primary to write a prescription for an auto machine. A referral isn't required.

sure they can... they can "see" you over the phone, it happens all the time now... there's numerous services.

I had a sinus infection a couple months ago, called up, scheduled a consult, the doctor called me back, asked a few questions, and called in a rx for antibiotics... and I got better.

Julie wrote:Hate to say it, but your machine settings are based on your MD's prescription, which was based on your test results of 4 yrs ago... and you yourself say things are now worse, so it seems to me you need to be retested, if only using an at-home test (ask your doctor about that). It would be to your advantage to have an up to date picture of things after all.

And any MD I've ever known (worked in hosps all my life) would never just accept another MDs 'results' of 4 yrs ago to go ahead and prescribe for you now, let alone online (not knowing you at all).

Three years ago, after getting my diagnosis, machine, and newer style mask; my mom got a new mask, started using her machine again, and still felt like it wasn't helping enough. She tried to get a new sleep study, but medicare would not pay for it. So, once my followup appointment was complete, I let my mom borrow my machine for two partial nights. We live in the same house, and I am a severe night owl, so I didn't lose any use of it. Her prescription was a straight pressure of 10, so I set my machine for 10. After 4 hours, she had an ahi of 3.4, but a cluster of events over 30 seconds, one over a minute. I printed the report before going to bed so that it was just her sleep represented. A few nights later, we did another partial night set for 10-13 to see what the machine wanted to do without letting it go too high. She went to a new sleep doctor with her old sleep study report and the two printed reports from my machine. The doctor looked them over and prescribed a new machine with a setting of 10-15. She is sleeping much better now.

So, yes, a doctor WILL look at old sleep study info and prescribe a new machine. Also consider that some insurance companies do a home titration. This person was already diagnosed with sleep apnea. The new doctor could prescribe an auto machine with settings previously prescribed, and then adjust from there.

This is a great site -- so much good "insider" stuff! I've got my GP to refer me (no office visit required - thanks Doc!) to the attending physician from four years ago. Hopefully he can prescribe an auto machine that I can get started with and adjust optimally as required. It's best to stay "in the system" to keep all future options on the table. I have a high deductible copay plan (the good news is I'm covered as a 62 year old male for pregnancy -- thanks Obamacare!) so all costs will be essentially out of pocket as I do not expect to hit deductible max this year.

Interesting insights as I dig for the "why" of requirements for office visit, referrals, etc. All seem to be covering posteriors as per dictates of my plan coverage. Practicality and common sense are applied to "bend the rules" to the extent that any health service provider is willing to risk the wrath of insurance company.

I'll post an update when I've gained a foothold on taming the Snoring Beast. Thanks again for all the tips!

If you have a cooperative primary and a copy of the original sleep study (which you should have anyway), your primary can write a prescription for the exact machine you want and mask of patients choice.
No need for the referral.