autopap smart card poll

I'm wondering, for those of you who have insurance, if it is normal for them to require the doctor or rt (w/dme) to read your smart card after a certain amount of time in order to substantiate the need to continue their paying for apap therapy? Do you remember how much time passed before they requested that info from you?

My rt never has and I would like to send mine to a friend who has the computer software to read it. I just don't want to do that and have a surprise call from my dme saying "send us your smart card NOW" I hadn't heard from them in awhile and they out of the blue called a couple of days ago and asked me what the hours on my machine were. I asked her then if they were going to want my smart card read, since my rt didn't think it likely because I have an autopap. They said "only if the insurance co or your doctor request it." I haven't gotten any charges or paperwork yet from ins co and neither has the dme so I don't feel like I should mail the smart card to my friend until at least that happens even though it would be nice to see how I'm doing "on paper".... I feel better but it would be nice to know more. I know if I take the smart card out there will be a lapse of info for however long it takes to get it back in the mail from my friend and that could cause problems w/insurance and compliance requirements from the little I've learned about it. Terry

Mine (sleep center, irregardless of insurance) asked to see the "smart card" after a week. I'm not sure why a doctor would put you on autopap, and not request the information, unless I'm just not understanding what you're asking..which is entirely possible LOL


Actually, I do understand that you want to know how long insurance waits to ask for your machine reading....I wouldn't think it would be very long though...