How long is a prescription valid for?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
astrozombie
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How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by astrozombie » Thu Jan 30, 2020 3:59 pm

How long is a CPAP/BIPAP prescription valid for? I am in the process of ordering a travel machine and when I called the sleep clinic to get a copy of my prescription they told me that it had expired. According to them it was only valid for a few months.

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harrywr2
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by harrywr2 » Thu Jan 30, 2020 4:11 pm

My prescription says 'lifetime'.

That's not to be confused with 'compliance certification' which is required if insurance is going to pay for things.
For my particular insurance/HMO compliance certification must be done annually if they are going to pay.

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Okie bipap
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by Okie bipap » Thu Jan 30, 2020 4:17 pm

Most prescription expire six months after they are written. However, a DME prescription can be written for 99 months (life time). The expiration date for a prescription depends on the wording on the prescription. Yours very well could have expired depending on the wording on the prescription.

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palerider
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by palerider » Thu Jan 30, 2020 4:17 pm

astrozombie wrote:
Thu Jan 30, 2020 3:59 pm
How long is a CPAP/BIPAP prescription valid for? I am in the process of ordering a travel machine and when I called the sleep clinic to get a copy of my prescription they told me that it had expired. According to them it was only valid for a few months.
As long as it was written for.

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LSAT
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by LSAT » Thu Jan 30, 2020 5:34 pm

My prescription lasts until I need a new machine. My DME says I need a prescription to get a new machine...it is good until I need another machine..5-6 years. I would challenge the DME. You should not need a new prescription every time you need supplies.

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Wulfman...
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by Wulfman... » Thu Jan 30, 2020 5:46 pm

astrozombie wrote:
Thu Jan 30, 2020 3:59 pm
How long is a CPAP/BIPAP prescription valid for? I am in the process of ordering a travel machine and when I called the sleep clinic to get a copy of my prescription they told me that it had expired. According to them it was only valid for a few months.
First mistake was not to get the physical document. You're entitled to it just like a prescription for eyeglasses.
Second mistake is taking THEIR word for it. Unless you actually saw the document, you really don't know. Too many of them lie.
Get the REAL Rx and make sure it is written so it doesn't expire. Unless there's actually an expiration date on it, it doesn't expire.

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D.H.
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by D.H. » Fri Jan 31, 2020 12:02 pm

I believe that in NY State, prescriptions for controlled substances last for six months, other for one year. Not sure about elsewhere. I think that the idea is that the doc should see you every so often to make sure the med is working and the dosage does not need to be adjusted. In the case of CPAP, your pressure setting is your "dosage."

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Goofproof
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by Goofproof » Fri Jan 31, 2020 12:09 pm

D.H. wrote:
Fri Jan 31, 2020 12:02 pm
I believe that in NY State, prescriptions for controlled substances last for six months, other for one year. Not sure about elsewhere. I think that the idea is that the doc should see you every so often to make sure the med is working and the dosage does not need to be adjusted. In the case of CPAP, your pressure setting is your "dosage."
"You Think!", But when are you going to do it correctly, and why should we care. Do you "Think XPAP's are controlled substances", I shook mine didn't hear any dope shaking inside. Jim








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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by D.H. » Fri Jan 31, 2020 12:51 pm

Goofproof wrote:
Fri Jan 31, 2020 12:09 pm
D.H. wrote:
Fri Jan 31, 2020 12:02 pm
I believe that in NY State, prescriptions for controlled substances last for six months, others for one year. Not sure about elsewhere. I think that the idea is that the doc should see you every so often to make sure the med is working and the dosage does not need to be adjusted. In the case of CPAP, your pressure setting is your "dosage."
"You Think!", But when are you going to do it correctly, and why should we care. Do you "Think XPAP's are controlled substances", I shook mine didn't hear any dope shaking inside. Jim




]
I said six months for a controlled substance, one year for everything else. CPAP is "everything else," so it's a year.

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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by greatunclebill » Fri Jan 31, 2020 4:16 pm

prescription length is the smallest of all cpap concern. If your doctor writes 100 years or lifetime and your dme accepts for the next 50 years, good for you. If my dme wants one every year, what's the big deal? they call the doc and he faxes it over. In most cases the dme calls for a prescription, the doctor faxes it and you pick up your equipment not knowing it even happened. if the dme wants you to ask for it, call the doctor's nurse and she will take care of it. life is short enough without worrying about the little things.

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klm49
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Re: How long is a prescription valid for?

Post by klm49 » Fri Jan 31, 2020 5:36 pm

astrozombie wrote:
Thu Jan 30, 2020 3:59 pm
How long is a CPAP/BIPAP prescription valid for? I am in the process of ordering a travel machine and when I called the sleep clinic to get a copy of my prescription they told me that it had expired. According to them it was only valid for a few months.

My DME requires new script. every year or no supplies...

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