Getting supplies is a chore

Need supplies, and actually a new machine because I have had this one since June 2012. Supplier (not mentioning name at this time) has advised they have sent multiple requests for my prescription from my sleep study/CPAP doctor. Doctor's office claims they have not received the request. Supplier says they started sending requests October 4 and subsequent requests. Doctor's office says they have not received requests. So back and forth, the supplier says requests for Rx has been sent, doctor's office says not received. Here I am, the patient, in the middle of these organizations pointing fingers at each other.

Any suggestions about what I can do, would be appreciated. I talked to Medicare and they said a change in doctor probably not be any better. Medicare suggested contacting Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO).

If you can pick up the scripts yourself and deliver them to the DME you might get your stuff.

Julie's suggestion is a good one.

If that's not doable, ask the doctor to mail or email your prescription to YOU, then you deliver it to the DME. I've had to do that many times. It's probably a good idea to have your prescription anyway so you can get supplies from other vendors (maybe online) IF you want to.

Big thumbs up to Julie's suggestion.

By law you should have no problems getting a copy of your scripts. Plus if the doc's office really wants to help and is aware of this finger pointing. I'm sure they'd be happy to hook you up with a copy. Then you can go there in person and ask for your stuff... When they respond but we need your scripts you can then hand it to them. Everyone's excuses will be gone.

I've had some issues like this in the past, in my case it was the DME being incompetent. I miss the old days with my first DME who were just as incompetent but at least I wasn't the one suffering. They were more then happy to deliver my supplies on time every time never missing a beat and then they were happy to deliver my father's supplies on time every time and billing my insurance for both... but hey... my house had cpap supplies and I was happy. I didn't find out till later the level of shenanigans that was going on with them.

Now days every time they screw up something I get left out in the cold until I fix it. Some times my insurance gets billed and I still don't get supplies so ya. Most DME's are about as pleasant to work with as "Insert Negative colorful metaphor of your choice". There some good ones out there though. Not saying they're all bad.

Also if your annoyingly persistent "keep it professional" most will work with you to fix your problem if at the least to get you to stop calling them.

I used to do that with my DME till they got me on a ordering plan. I would call them every single day and ask for a status update etc...

I wish you good luck with getting what you need from your DME.

Rest well

Gryphon

First of all ... it's time to get your doc out of the loop. Generally, most are only good for diagnosis and a hindrance after that.

You have a legal right to request an original prescription from your doctor's office. Call them up and tell them to have it ready for you because you need it for your own medical records. While you are at it, tell them you also want a copy of the sleep study data and summary analysis for the same reason.

Then your set to begin your journey into CPAP therapy where YOU will be in charge and learn to manage YOUR own best interest regarding your apnea therapy.

So take control of your own health or be a slave to the system!

no1texan wrote:Need supplies, and actually a new machine because I have had this one since June 2012. Supplier (not mentioning name at this time) has advised they have sent multiple requests for my prescription from my sleep study/CPAP doctor. Doctor's office claims they have not received the request. Supplier says they started sending requests October 4 and subsequent requests. Doctor's office says they have not received requests. So back and forth, the supplier says requests for Rx has been sent, doctor's office says not received. Here I am, the patient, in the middle of these organizations pointing fingers at each other.

Any suggestions about what I can do, would be appreciated. I talked to Medicare and they said a change in doctor probably not be any better. Medicare suggested contacting Medicare Quality Improvement Organizations (QIO).

I get mine from amazon/ebay... point, click, open package... (note, there may be a couple day delay in there somewhere).

Two words: conference call.
Weasels are allergic to the truth.

Weasels and truth don't mix it's true. It could be as simple as a fax machine unplugged, or out of paper. If they're not squirming to your liking bring up the old "H" word - preferably in a printed letter format of some kind signed by you. That's "H" for HIPPA It will likely get you the Rx