CPAP prescription - single or multiple use?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:21 am

Hey all. I got a prescription for a CPAP, used it to get a CPAP from my DME. Can I now use that same prescription (or a copy thereof) to get another CPAP or APAP unit from cpap.com? Or are prescriptions only good for one machine?

Prescriptions for drugs can't be reused at different pharmacies (obviously), so I'm guessing a single CPAP prescription would only be good for a single CPAP machine...

Yes? No? Thanks.

Handgunner45 · Post by **Handgunner45** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:29 am

That one prescription is good for life with CPAP.com. Might be different with a brick and mortar DME. You can buy as many machines as you want with it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:34 am

I would suggest this one. No script required. -
http://auctions.yahoo.com/i::110905225

However, you may be more comfortable with cpap dot com. Oh yes, I almost forgot, you will need a copy of your current script to order on-line..

Multiple use is fine.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:47 am

Why then is a RX needed in the first place?

Is it possible for someone that does not need CPAP to get hurt using one?

I expect some will say that CPAP makers have bought off ... ahemmm ... made political contributions to lawmakers (not unlike most other business corporations) to require a RX for CPAP?

Just wondering why this stuff is not over-the-counter therapy like reading glasses or dental floss ... competition and availability would go up and prices might come down.

- roberto

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:52 am

I'm the original poster. What I meant was, is my original (and only) prescription has been used to get a machine from my local DME. My question is, is that prescription now "used up" and no longer valid?

If a doc writes you a prescription for a bottle of (insert narcotic here), you can't go to 50 different pharmacies, keep presenting that same single prescription, and end up with 50 bottles of (insert narcotic here). But you *can* make multiple use of a CPAP prescription? You can use it for cpap.com purposes even if it's already been used at a DME to get a machine?

That's what I'm curious about... some Rx's become "used up" and invalid when used, and others do not?

caty · Post by **caty** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 10:56 am

In June, I received my machine from the dme. I requested a copy of my prescription and purchased a different machine on cpap.com. Based on that, it looks like it can be used again and again.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:25 am

Anonymous wrote: My question is, is that prescription now "used up" and no longer valid?

Answer: The prescription is reusable.
There may be a 1-year limit on the prescription, as is in meds.
You can check on that with the person who wrote the Rx.

As always, you KEEP the original copy of the Rx, and always provide a COPY to whomever requires a Rx.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 11:28 am

Technically speaking, you cannot reuse a prescription. There is obviously the leeway of an Rx written 'Refill 10 times by 01/01/2006' or similar wording.

However, an xPAP being a single piece of equipment would fall under the 'technical' bounds of only being fillable once.

However, having that enforced is another matter entirely.

The single biggest place it would be a problem is with a brick and mortar dme company. They are going to be required by Federal Regulations to keep the prescription on file for a minimum of 5 years; usually 10. Additionally, if the prescription is used to bill an insurance company, they will also have the Rx on file. If the DME sees that they are the same Prescription they will be required to deny the order. Same goes for the insurance company - they would have to deny the claim. The chances of needing to bill 2 units within that short a time frame though would indicate something far beyond ordinary going on anyways and therefore enough extenuating circumstances that none of this may matter anyways.

Going through an internet retailer would most likely be very different. I don't know if they are required to keep Prescriptions on file like a DME company is (I suspect they are NOT required), so it may not matter. If you are paying cash for a unit instead of billing insurance, you may also still be able to get away with using the prescription again at a dme company. There is always a massive amount of leeway avaialble once insurance companies get out of the picture - both with a dme company and with internet retailers. Insurance companies getting out of the picture allow for greater leeway in what equipment is used as well as price (But not always - many insurance companies will not allow a DME company to give a cash customer a lower price).

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 1:55 pm

Anonymous wrote:The single biggest place it would be a problem is with a brick and mortar dme company. They are going to be required by Federal Regulations to keep the prescription on file for a minimum of 5 years; usually 10. Additionally, if the prescription is used to bill an insurance company, they will also have the Rx on file. If the DME sees that they are the same Prescription they will be required to deny the order.

I requested my original copy of the Rx from my brick and mortar dme and received it - while in the 'renting' process.

If they were required to keep the Rx on file for x years, it was a copy.

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 3:36 pm

Many question my assertion that a Rx for a PAP is not required by federal law.

The package says ORDER-
this is differend from a rx for drugs.
Pharmacies are licensed to dispense drugs.

DME are not licensed to fill prescriptions only fill an ORDER..

A person cannot fill multiple copies of a rx at different pharmacies.
When a patient takes a bottle to another pharmacy and the pharmacists make a transfer, the original pharmacy cancels the RX.

A person should be able to buy as many CPAPs as s/he wants from the order.

I seriously that it is law that the ORDER expires in a year as a rx for meds do.

One strange thing is that there is no limit of time that a rx for a schedule 2 drug may be filled from the time it is written.
Legally, you can get a rx for narcotics dated today and get it filled 10 years from now according to a lecturer at a florida pharmacy law conference.
Unfortunately most pharmacists do not realize this.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): DME

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 17, 2006 4:04 pm

Offerocker wrote:I requested my original copy of the Rx from my brick and mortar dme and received it - while in the 'renting' process.

If they were required to keep the Rx on file for x years, it was a copy.

I would expect this is the case in almost all instances. Think about how many doctors fax prescriptions nowadays. I'm willing to bet nearly all prescriptions in any place other than a pharmacy are copies or faxes. I can think of only a few very specific instances where Medicare ever required a specifically hand-signed copy of a prescription signed by my doctor.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 12:59 am

In june of 2005 I got my Remstar Plus from a DME here in So.Cal.
I got a copy of my sleep study and a copy of my prescription from my Doctor on the 20th of July (last month). I called cpap.com they contacted my Doctor. She sent a letter of medical necessity, a copy of my sleep study. and a copy of my original prescription. I ordered my new machine on 14 Aug.06 and received it by UPS today 17 August 06 2 1145hrs.

So I would say they never expire.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:27 am

Patrick A: That's good to know, and you've proved it.

cpap.com accepted a FAX'd copy of my "Rx"; I'm surprised that your doctor needed to provide so much information.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:40 am

My doctor believes in covering all bases.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 8:52 am

I forgot to say that we were going thru bill my insurance. but they said that my insurance and medicare would not replace the machine I had because they were less than 5 years old.
I upgraded my machine from a REMstar Plus CPAP Machine to a REMstar Pro 2 C-Flex CPAP Machine.
I wanted to get a new mask also. I use a ComfortClassic Mask with Headgear - Small and I wanted to get a ComfortLite 2 Nasal Interface
or a Everest Aura Headrest Nasal CPAP Interface

And to get my insurance and Medicare to pay they needed all of the documentation.