Getting a copy of sleep study results and prescription

I had my sleep study done about a month ago. Both night sessions were run by a technician (a week apart). The second one ended on a Sunday morning, and the next day I got a call from a DME saying they had my machine ready. I have never met my sleep doctor.

Fast forward a month, and after reading this site, I'm now really curious about both my sleep study results and my prescription. At the beginning of the 2nd night in the sleep lab, the tech told me my AHI was 21, and that my oxygen levels were hitting 80%; she was nice and asked if I had more questions. But I failed to ask for a copy of the report. So I called last week to get copies of both the report and prescription. I called the doc's office and left message for his nurse. Same day, a tech called back from the sleep lab (the nurse had forwarded my request). They said they couldn't do that, that I should call back and ask for Medical Records. So I did. That was last Tuesday. I still haven't heard a peep from them. I called back and left another message to make sure they got my request, but still haven't heard anything.

How long do I give these folks to acknowledge my request? Is there a "next step" if they ignore it?

Based on what I've read here, I now know I should have insisted the DME give me an s9 Autoset. They gave me an Elite. I'm responding really well to the Elite, AHI is .37 since getting it, and almost all of that consists of CAs. Should I just consider myself lucky that the Elite did the trick and let it go, or is there any reason to pursue this with the DME? That is, is there any real chance that I'm going to need the Autoset capability in the future, or is it more reasonable to assume that I've found my groove and this is where I'm likely to stay for the foreseeable future? Do I even have options re: getting the DME to change to Autoset anyway? I've got the pressure set at 8cm, with no ramp, EPR is at 3.

You should definitely keep trying to get in touch with medical records. Worst case, go there in person and have them give you a date when it will be ready and then come back to get it in person (lots of things get lost in fax/email).

Check with your insurance provider. Ask them what would happen if you were to return your machine and get it from another DME provider. Is that possible? It has only been 1 month so worst case if you returned it, the DME would be screwed and wouldn't get the subsequent payments. I'm sure another DME would be happy to get your business (which may make your current DME change their mind about an Autoset). Of course, check with your insurance and see if you returned it if they would cover a device from another provider.

If you feel great and aren't that worried, its probably not the end of the world. But since it has been so recent, I think you may have a chance at switching it out.

If it's not hundreds of miles away, just walk in and ask for them - but they will ask you to sign a waiver or sheet acknowledging that you're you and you took them. Or do the same thing at your MD's office.

Iowamv wrote:I had my sleep study done about a month ago. Both night sessions were run by a technician (a week apart). The second one ended on a Sunday morning, and the next day I got a call from a DME saying they had my machine ready. I have never met my sleep doctor.

Fast forward a month, and after reading this site, I'm now really curious about both my sleep study results and my prescription. At the beginning of the 2nd night in the sleep lab, the tech told me my AHI was 21, and that my oxygen levels were hitting 80%; she was nice and asked if I had more questions. But I failed to ask for a copy of the report. So I called last week to get copies of both the report and prescription. I called the doc's office and left message for his nurse. Same day, a tech called back from the sleep lab (the nurse had forwarded my request). They said they couldn't do that, that I should call back and ask for Medical Records. So I did. That was last Tuesday. I still haven't heard a peep from them. I called back and left another message to make sure they got my request, but still haven't heard anything.

How long do I give these folks to acknowledge my request? Is there a "next step" if they ignore it?

Based on what I've read here, I now know I should have insisted the DME give me an s9 Autoset. They gave me an Elite. I'm responding really well to the Elite, AHI is .37 since getting it, and almost all of that consists of CAs. Should I just consider myself lucky that the Elite did the trick and let it go, or is there any reason to pursue this with the DME? That is, is there any real chance that I'm going to need the Autoset capability in the future, or is it more reasonable to assume that I've found my groove and this is where I'm likely to stay for the foreseeable future? Do I even have options re: getting the DME to change to Autoset anyway? I've got the pressure set at 8cm, with no ramp, EPR is at 3.

Your AHI is extremely low, which is extremely good for you, and your machine seems to be doing its job, quite well. And the S9, even the Elite, is a very, very good, and extremely high quality machine. Why do you think you 'need' an autoset? You really don't. You had a full titration study and that's the gold standard for setting pressures. If you didn't have one then yes an auto machine would be helpful, but you do not 'need' it. Your Elite has full data tracking, so if your MD/DME checks your data card each month, changes and tweaks can be made to your pressures based on the data, if needed. So, for now don't sweat it.

You can get your records and see the RX but all it will tell you is what numbers your machine is already set at.

Because you are doing so well, they will question why you 'need' to switch to an costlier auto machine. By all means try if you really feel you must, but chances are the DME will not want to due to the cost involved. A lot of people are in the same spot -- they get a machine, then come to cpaptalk.com, then get buyer's remorse and want another model....

You, however should stay positive -- your numbers are really great. Just stay the course.

hyperlexis wrote:Why do you think you 'need' an autoset? You really don't.

Thanks for the reply. That's really what I wanted to know. I don't have any reason for insisting on the Autoset. I'm just trying to find out from veterans, who seem to be nearly unanimous in their opinion that the Autoset is the one to get, if there's any scenario they can envision that would warrant pursuing this. My working assumption is that things are going extremely well, and I should stick with what I've got-- but that's only based on one month's experience in the world of CPAPs and DMEs etc.

If I were to hear a lot of responses saying "These things change, and you might well end up needing an Autoset in the next 5 years," then my intention was to explore options. Otherwise, I'll stand pat.

Under HIPAA, you have every right to your complete medical records. I'd put the request in writing, describing your efforts to date and asking for your complete medical records, including any notes or Rxs. Give them a week or so to comply. Cc the sleep center, sleep doc, medical group (you'll know if your doc belongs to one by looking at your Insurance card), and insurance company (also on your Insurance card).

You have a legal right to these records, and it's pretty silly for them to try and deny you. They have a process for it. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just handwritten (keep a copy) is fine.

Congrats on your stellar response to therapy-keep it up!

There's something I'm not understanding here. What features does the Autoset have that the S9 Elite does not have? Can not the S9 Elite to be set on auto mode to provide for variable pressures? I'm a newby and would like to know.

With the Elite, a specific pressure is set and used. With the Autoset, a minimum and maximum pressure is set, and the machine senses what pressure is necessary within those values. It tries to use the minimum necessary for effective treatment. So, for example, you could set the Autoset so the minimum pressure it tries to use is 8, and maximum is 12. It will go above 8 only as it detects that higher pressures are needed to eliminate events.

I can see where I was confused now. The paperwork that came with my Resmed S9 said it was a S9 Elite. However, on the unit itself it says Resmed Autoset. Apparently the wrong paperwork was placed with the machine.

As long as you are comfortably sleeping and your numbers are wonderful, I wouldn't mess with anything-
-just push for those reports; they are yours BY LAW!

Talk with your doctor, the nice thing about the autoset is you can take in your memory card each doctor's appointment and he can get all kinds of information from it. Plus you can discuss your future as in gaining or losing weight, where your needs might change...tell him/her that with the autoset you would not need another sleep study as it will change when you change. Overall it will save your insurance company money. Most insurance companies will "rent" the machine for the first two or three months before they dish out the money to buy it outright, if your going to make a move for a autoset, now is the time to do it.

Good luck! Believe me, its best to fight'em and get what you want than to sit back and let them dictate your lifestyle....that will come with obamacare.

You are probably going to be just fine with your current machine. The point I try to make to my patients is that at least where I practice, most insurance providers only will let you get a new machine every 5 years. Given that your insurance pays the same price regardless of the machine you get, if you have the option of getting an Autoset you might as well try so you got the top of the line machine that was available. You may be just fine and if your AHI is controlled thats great. If you need adjustment you can still do that with the Elite. However with an Autoset you can set a range and see where you fall if you start having symptoms again. with the Elite it is a bit more of a shot in the dark, although I suppose if you made adjustments every night, it wouldn't take long to get it to an appropriate pressure. Autoset may also be more valuable to individuals who have more sleep-state dependent apnea where perhaps it is more mild to moderate in NREM sleep and more severe in REM. thus an Autoset would be able to adjust the pressure up or down to respond to the increasing or decreasing severity of your apnea during the night.

Either way I wouldn't get hung up on it too much. The most important factor here is that you feel better. The rest is all gravy.

Bobshouse wrote:Talk with your doctor, the nice thing about the autoset is you can take in your memory card each doctor's appointment and he can get all kinds of information from it. Plus you can discuss your future as in gaining or losing weight, where your needs might change...tell him/her that with the autoset you would not need another sleep study as it will change when you change. Overall it will save your insurance company money. Most insurance companies will "rent" the machine for the first two or three months before they dish out the money to buy it outright, if your going to make a move for a autoset, now is the time to do it.

Good luck! Believe me, its best to fight'em and get what you want than to sit back and let them dictate your lifestyle....that will come with obamacare.

The Elite has the same memory card feature as the Autoset

I am sorry if I sound irrational. This behavior on the par of your doctor is unforgiveable. Any results of tests performed on you and/or paid on your behalf BELONG to you. No one, no doctor has a right to look at tests, and then make decisions about what you need, without first talking to you and discussing each option with you. Anything less than that means any consent given was uninformed and not enforceable. There are many brands of machines available, most very capable. When a supplier or a doctor makes those decisions without discussing what other brands and models might work, you should wonder whether he or she is picking the best machine for you,or the one with the biggest kickback to him/her, or the one with the cutest most flirtatious sales rep. Run do not walk to someone who will inform you and at least consult with you before making decisions. You are an adult not their child and you deserve to be treated as such.

Where in Iowa are you I grew up on Iowa City and lived in Bettendorf for a while. why does this site think I spell Bettendorf wrong. Everyone in the whole world has heard of Bettendorf.

lastlib wrote:Everyone in the whole world has heard of Bettendorf.

I haven't. It might suprise you to know the world doesn't revolve around the USA, it revolves around a thing called the sun