Kicked out Sleep Dr's Practice. Dme-Dr in with each other?..

So glad the new doctor is working out better!

I will tell you- there are excellent doctors, and terrible doctors. Most doctors are someplace in the middle. It sounds like your first doctor was on the terrible end. The good news is- the good doctors usually know who the terrible ones are, and don't usually take their subjective data too seriously.

Somewhat of a similar situation here. Difference being, I am about to give the doctor the boot rather than the other way around. And the real reason is her staff. I told these people going in that my job requires a medical clearance, and that they could expect frequent contact from me as I worked to get my medical clearance back after the sleep apnea diagnosis. I was also clueless about the process of getting the machine and not very knowledgeable about the condition. Well, the doctor's receptionist, or whatever they are called these days, took offense and thought I was demanding special treatment. And perhaps I was. But I don't know too many folks that can afford the luxury of two months off work with no notice. The staff were very vague and blase' about explaining the process, the timetables involved, the insurance hoops, etc. Resulting in several calls from me, which appear to have irritated them further. So they scheduled my last appt. 7 weeks out. ENT's around here are a dime a dozen. So I am fairly certain they could have gotten me in earlier, via a regular appt. or a cancellation. It actually turned out to be a good thing. That 7 weeks has allowed me to find a range that has reduced my AHI to single digits from the high 30's, which will get me my medical clearance back and allow me the opportunity to give this doctor the boot and find another if necessary. The shame of it is I feel the doctor is very knowledgeable and thorough, but I refuse to deal with a pissy medical staff. They have no empathy for patients whatsoever and no understanding of how it feels to have been walking around in a brain fog for twenty years, only to have them be vague and off-putting when the end is in sight. As someone else pointed out, the entire medical profession is now all about cash flow and has little to do with caring for patients anymore.

I hope most of you have had a better experience. From the initial doctor who prescribed a level of 6.0, which did little to alter my numbers, to this dysfunctional "take a number and shut up" ENT's office, my faith in the medical profession is near zero. My only remaining dilemma is whether to enlighten the doctor about her toxic staff, or just get my paperwork and get the hell out of there. For the record, I was nice every time I interacted with these people. But they apparently don't like patients who have questions or careers riding on the outcome of their treatment.

Thanks for allowing me to vent! It's the next best thing to punching that office "manager" in the face.

Oh yeah, and this doctor's office also had a preferred DME. I requested a different one.....politely. That probably didn't make them happy either. I don't know if doctors get kickbacks or fees for referrals, but it would be interesting to find out.

Mudrock63 wrote:Somewhat of a similar situation here. Difference being, I am about to give the doctor the boot rather than the other way around. And the real reason is her staff. I told these people going in that my job requires a medical clearance, and that they could expect frequent contact from me as I worked to get my medical clearance back after the sleep apnea diagnosis. I was also clueless about the process of getting the machine and not very knowledgeable about the condition. Well, the doctor's receptionist, or whatever they are called these days, took offense and thought I was demanding special treatment. And perhaps I was. But I don't know too many folks that can afford the luxury of two months off work with no notice. The staff were very vague and blase' about explaining the process, the timetables involved, the insurance hoops, etc. Resulting in several calls from me, which appear to have irritated them further. So they scheduled my last appt. 7 weeks out. ENT's around here are a dime a dozen. So I am fairly certain they could have gotten me in earlier, via a regular appt. or a cancellation. It actually turned out to be a good thing. That 7 weeks has allowed me to find a range that has reduced my AHI to single digits from the high 30's, which will get me my medical clearance back and allow me the opportunity to give this doctor the boot and find another if necessary. The shame of it is I feel the doctor is very knowledgeable and thorough, but I refuse to deal with a pissy medical staff. They have no empathy for patients whatsoever and no understanding of how it feels to have been walking around in a brain fog for twenty years, only to have them be vague and off-putting when the end is in sight. As someone else pointed out, the entire medical profession is now all about cash flow and has little to do with caring for patients anymore.

I hope most of you have had a better experience. From the initial doctor who prescribed a level of 6.0, which did little to alter my numbers, to this dysfunctional "take a number and shut up" ENT's office, my faith in the medical profession is near zero. My only remaining dilemma is whether to enlighten the doctor about her toxic staff, or just get my paperwork and get the hell out of there. For the record, I was nice every time I interacted with these people. But they apparently don't like patients who have questions or careers riding on the outcome of their treatment.

Thanks for allowing me to vent! It's the next best thing to punching that office "manager" in the face.

While reading your post I actually wondered if we had the same doctor until I realized your doctor is an ENT. My doctor is a sleep neurologist and her office runs about the same way. My doctor is in the office working with her staff every day and I believe knows exactly how they behave and simply does not care likely because competent caring staff would cost more money. They automatically send the paperwork to the DME of their choice and tell the patient to expect a call and the patient learns they have a choice here only if they ask questions. Mask fittings are offered as a separate service at the doctor's office. If the insurance plan does not specifically cover mask fittings it becomes an out of pocket expense for the patient. Do most offices charge for mask fittings?

Think of it like a business...

You have a goal (to stay healthy) and hire a team to help you reach your goal. You pay them well and expect them to do their job.

If there are conflicts, your business may go under and you may never reach your goal.

Results are the first priority. Then work on communication and conflict resolution. If the team isn't a good fit you have the option of adjusting it and working on finding a better fit.

You are the boss. If an employee treats you bad you can either look the other way and get trampled on, or fire them and find another member for your team.

The choice is yours.

Yes, that doctor needs some polite, factual feedback about her staff. Many times it's not the doctor who has a preferred DME, but the staff. I'll bet a doughnut that the staff break room has a very nice treat for Christmas supplied by the preferred DME to thank them for all the referrals.

HoseCrusher wrote:Think of it like a business...

You have a goal (to stay healthy) and hire a team to help you reach your goal. You pay them well and expect them to do their job.

If there are conflicts, your business may go under and you may never reach your goal.

Results are the first priority. Then work on communication and conflict resolution. If the team isn't a good fit you have the option of adjusting it and working on finding a better fit.

You are the boss. If an employee treats you bad you can either look the other way and get trampled on, or fire them and find another member for your team.

The choice is yours.

I agree.

I'm looking for a competent sleep neurologist comfortable with patient's learning about their diagnosis, asking questions, using sleepyhead and making adjustments as necessary. I live in Santa Clara County, California and am comfortable traveling any where within the San Francisco bay area to work with a good doctor.

I'm open to referrals if forum members have suggestions.

Thank you

Mudrock63 wrote: thought I was demanding special treatment.

Some of you may know that we own a business, and I have worked in it for years. All of our employees are trained to give each of our customers, even the smallest ones, special treatment.

wrote: this doctor's office also had a preferred DME

There is nothing wrong with a preferred DME if the doctor's staff manages it properly.

When I switched doctors, I asked who they used. They had a very good DME that they worked with. Communication channels were well established between the doctor's practice and the DME. I had one minor problem with the DME, and the doctor's office got it straightened out pronto. I could have done it myself, but because they had an ongoing relationship, they took care of it quicker than I could have.

But by all means, if the preferred DME doesn't work well for you, let the doctor's office know that you will be using a different DME.

ChicagoGranny wrote:When I switched doctors, I asked who they used. They had a very good DME that they worked with. Communication channels were well established between the doctor's practice and the DME. I had one minor problem with the DME, and the doctor's office got it straightened out pronto. I could have done it myself, but because they had an ongoing relationship, they took care of it quicker than I could have.

I was in a similar situation for several years. It worked very well for me. Occasionally the doctor would call the DME while I was in the office and I received whatever it was quickly. It's not always a bad thing for a doctor and DME to work together. Unfortunately, I had to find a new DME the beginning of last year. New DME has been okay, but not like the last one.

My primary care physician did not recognize the symptoms of OSA, and I went undiagnosed longer than I should have. I called the sleep doctor my self and set up an appointment. The doctor is actually located in the sleep clinic where I had my studies done. The preferred DME they work with has people located at the sleep clinic as well as at another facility a few blocks away where they handle all kinds of home medical supplies. All of these (my PCP, sleep doctor, DME) come under the same medical center. When I asked the sleep doctor's saff for a copy of my prescription so I could order supplies on line, they were very helpful and even offered to fax it to the supplier I wanted to use. They told me I could probably find supplies cheaper on line than I could at the local DME.

Well my New Sleep Dr. She so far is amazing or atleast was willing to jump hurdles with me and take the steps needed to get my Insurance to approve a new In Lab Sleep Study!

Feb 8th!!

What an amazing phone call to get a day before heading out on me and my wife's "vacation's - vacation" to Florida for 2 weeks!

I noticed online after the call from the sleep center that its listed as

Polysomnography - Sleep staging with 4 or more additional parameters of sleep, with initation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy or bilevel ventilation, attended by a technologist.

My orig sleep study done 3 years ago was just a normal sleep study, unsure how this one is going to be vs that one, but I do know she knows my new info as far as centrals etc and need for a bi-pap/ASV but knows we have to go thru a few more hurdles prior to getting what we already know what I need.

That being said, since well I have an older ASV already, do I like stop using it xyz days prior to my sleep study?

Like I want to make sure that I am going into this study like I was with my auto cpap - ie centrals/obstructive apnea etc if that makes cents - my orig posting thread is over here if anyone is wondering what all ive been going thru etc = viewtopic.php?f=1&t=108165&p=1051081#p1051081

For some people the effect of cpap treatment continues for a few nights. So if you can, don't use it for a few nights before the study. There is no way in hell I would do that but then my O2 drops like a brick the moment I doze off.

metsfan302 wrote:Well my New Sleep Dr. She so far is amazing or atleast was willing to jump hurdles with me and take the steps needed to get my Insurance to approve a new In Lab Sleep Study!

Feb 8th!!

What an amazing phone call to get a day before heading out on me and my wife's "vacation's - vacation" to Florida for 2 weeks!

I noticed online after the call from the sleep center that its listed as

Polysomnography - Sleep staging with 4 or more additional parameters of sleep, with initation of continuous positive airway pressure therapy or bilevel ventilation, attended by a technologist.

My orig sleep study done 3 years ago was just a normal sleep study, unsure how this one is going to be vs that one, but I do know she knows my new info as far as centrals etc and need for a bi-pap/ASV but knows we have to go thru a few more hurdles prior to getting what we already know what I need.

That being said, since well I have an older ASV already, do I like stop using it xyz days prior to my sleep study?

Like I want to make sure that I am going into this study like I was with my auto cpap - ie centrals/obstructive apnea etc if that makes cents - my orig posting thread is over here if anyone is wondering what all ive been going thru etc = viewtopic.php?f=1&t=108165&p=1051081#p1051081

For what it is worth, my sleep doc advised me to stop using my vpap two days before my sleep study. When I asked his reasoning, he felt continuing to use it right before the study tended to cause the sleep study results to be less severe than they truly were. Don't ask me to explain the logic.

Anyway, ask your doctor as to what you should do.

49er

Thanks I will be sure to ask her too, but this groups advise I tend to hold higher then most well the doctors ive come across so far .

I think its cool too as this Sleep Doctor it turns out - does for this sleep center and all in my area, all the read outs or whatever it is a doctor does to make the report thats sent out to sleep dr's so I think she's good in my book so far ) Heck she atleast got it to get approved unlike prior attempts!

metsfan302 wrote:Thanks I will be sure to ask her too, but this groups advise I tend to hold higher then most well the doctors ive come across so far .

I think its cool too as this Sleep Doctor it turns out - does for this sleep center and all in my area, all the read outs or whatever it is a doctor does to make the report thats sent out to sleep dr's so I think she's good in my book so far ) Heck she atleast got it to get approved unlike prior attempts!

Oh I definitely understand.

It sounds like you have got a gem for a sleep doc. I am really happy for you after the cr-p you went through with the previous one.