DME said no access to my data. True/False?

Slinky wrote:MOST of the time, at least in the USA, the PSGs are actually scored by an RPSGT.

Right. The tech scoring the report is not necessarily the tech that was in attendance during the study. Sometimes it's the same tech, sometimes not. The one scoring is almost always an RPSGT (Registered Polysomnographic Technologist.) The RPSGT credential is issued by the BRPT (Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists: http://www.brpt.org

Slinky wrote:And whilst the sleep doctors SUPPOSEDLY also score the PSG before initialing the scored data and dictating his report, IN REALITY the majority of them just glance over the scored report enough to dictate some results, and then initial it.

I think that's probably true, most of the time. I think most sleep doctors just sign off on what the sleep tech found.

Slinky wrote: If I had to blindly rely on any ome of my three sleep "professionals": RRT, MD/DO or RPSGT, you can bet your bippy it will be the RPSGT I will put my faith in!!!!

I agree absolutely!!

And yet the RRT and MD/DO "medical professionals" tend to look down on the "non-medical professional" RPSGTs for having no "medical" training and the RRT professional organization is trying desperately to get their RRT members credited to do PSG testing and scoring W/LESSER SLEEP training than the RPSGTs!!! *snort*

If the RRTs want the credentialing to do PSGs let them complete the exact same training, education and testing IN SLEEP as the RPSGTs to do so!!!

I saw my sleep doc last week. I brought in a stack of printouts. He commented that he wished all his patients came in as prepared as I do.

Next time I see him, I need to prompt him about which machines to order and about ordering software for computer savvy patients. Of course, his office has no way of reading cards.....

SleepyHound wrote:I am also a diabetic on continuous glucose monitoring with an insulin pump and blood glucose monitor that all communicate with one another thru RF. I have FULL access to all the data to the readings, graphs, and different metrics reports at a click of a button online. It really helps to understand how different things affect my blood sugar (food, stress, exercise). It makes me more accountable for my own health changes.

I was a little offended I was told I can't have access to CPAP info when I've been reading all this online...

Same here.

You got a lot of replies already so I imagine this has already been suggested: just smile and nod when you pick up your machine. No need to get into a discussion with your DME about your intentions to upload and analyze your own data. It's really none of their business.

Best of luck with your CPAP machine. See you around!

Thanks Everyone!! You've made my Monday! I saw my internist this afternoon. I didn't learn anything more than what the sleep lab told me over the phone, so I relented and went to the hospital to request the medical dictations from the sleep doc. To my surprise, it was FREE to get my info (the website for the medical records dept stated it was $20 and then $1 per page). I'll put my results in another post.

As most of you have said, I am planning to be pleasantly surprised when/if the DME talks to me about the data capabilities. I will stand my ground on the getting the machine I want, too.

Again, thanks for all your input!! You guys are great!

SleepyHound wrote:I will stand my ground on the getting the machine I want, too.

Here's a link that might be helpful to you when the time comes to accept (or reject) whatever machine the DME tries to give you. You'll want a machine that can record leak and AHI info. The ones in blue do that; the ones in red do not:
viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

Love your avatar picture, btw. Looks like a sweet dog.

I have been on CPAP for a lot of years but I have only been working with a brick & mortar DME for a couple of months.

I have insurance and in the long run I will probably save some money using it, but I am not convinced that I am doing that much better than just buying online.

RIght now I have a deductable, and have to rent for a while and then the machine is mine. I think there is an issue with what happens if my insurance changes or things like that. Since it is a rental I'm not sure where my liability will fall in those cases. But if that happens, I'd be willing to be it'll cost me a whole lot more.

I have an S9 Elite, but if you can get an auto machine with data that is the best thing you can do because you can run it either way.

Once I get through this I will need to re-evaluate, but I would not hesitate to buy online, especially if you get the run around and can afford it.

John

Thanks for the list of questions. This may be a silly question....But who the heck do you talk to when you call the insurance company??! I've called twice to verify my benefits and ask about CPAP DME benefits. I get the same scripted response..."coverage is based on medical necessity and doctor's orders, blah blah." I know the script because I say it all the time. The most descriptive, detailed info I got out of both calls is I've met my out of pocket deductible (which I already knew because I access my claims online). I asked about re-orders of consumerables and got the same "coverage is based on medical necessity.... the authorization is not guarantee of payment at time of services provided..."

So who do I have to ask for for details? I can't seem to get connected to the right people no matter how many times I get transferred.

Well, that statement is true for anything that is covered by insurance. I know that with my Anthem BC coverage, I have $5,000/year for Durable Medical equipment that is medically required. Since I had a sleep study, the results show that it's medically necessary, and I have the prescription from my doctor prescribing the medically necessary equipment. My DME has advised that my supplies would be covered under the same schedule as Medicare. So I go by that when I am considering when to obtain consumables. So far my insurance EOB's that I have received all has been covered under the "in network" rate, which I think is about 80%.

So they cover 80% up to the $5,000/year beginning each January. I have yet to receive any billing from my DME (started 1/10/2011) because my secondary insurance hasn't yet kicked in their portion, so the DME has advised that my Secondary (United Health) is EXTREMELY SLOW in paying.

Now then, my beef is with my FSA provider, I've submitted EOB's for reimbursement of some of my out of pocket CPAP therapy costs and they have been denied. I have to get a letter, and not just any letter, but an extremely detailed letter explaining why I need each and every item. Suffice it to say, I'll be putting pressure on my secondary carrier to move their you know what's and not wait until the last minute and I'm stuck with a large bill.

Hope this helps.