Do I have to see my doc to get replacement parts?

[metallikat36]

I got an authorization letter in the mail for a couple things that I guess it is time to replace (nasal pillows and air filter). The wording of the letter seems to suggest I have to go to my doctor before the expiration date to get the parts. My question is can I go straight to the DME and get these things? I want to become as independent as possible.

[Hang Fire]

I got an authorization letter in the mail for a couple things that I guess it is time to replace (nasal pillows and air filter).

If you want to be independent, why are you depending on someone to tell you when to replace pillows and filters?

Who sent this letter?

[loggerhead12]

My DME emails me the moment anything is eligible to be billed to the insurance company. I just call and tell them what I want and they send it, no doc involvement at all. It's a money machine for them.

[metallikat36]

Hi ImReal. I notice you have an AirCurve10VAuto bilevel machine, and also that you seem to be recently new to the forum, like me. I am in the process of getting a bilevel as well. May I ask how you ended up with a bpap? I ask because I am wondering if my doctor gives me a harder time than other sleep specialists. Did you just straight up ask for one based on your subjective guess of what you needed? And did he/she give you any difficulty?

[loggerhead12]

Hi ImReal. I notice you have an AirCurve10VAuto bilevel machine, and also that you seem to be recently new to the forum, like me. I am in the process of getting a bilevel as well. May I ask how you ended up with a bpap? I ask because I am wondering if my doctor gives me a harder time than other sleep specialists. Did you just straight up ask for one based on your subjective guess of what you needed? And did he/she give you any difficulty?

No, just the opposite. I pretty much had a dream-like experience with my sleep study, doctor, and DME. My prescribed pressures of 19/23 drove the need for the VAUTO, and that's what the DME provided day one.

[palerider]

NO! you do not need to go to your doctor, you don't need a prescription.

you can get all the parts on amazon or ebay.

[SewTired]

Mettelikat, it helps to build up at least a small supply of items for backup. After that, you can decide how often you want replacements.

That said, I get the idea that you only received your machine a couple of months ago. In that case, you got a generic letter. You don't need to visit your doctor to get supplies from your DME because they already have the information. Just call them and let them know that you want a refill of supplies. At the same time, contact your doctor's office for a copy of your original study (the raw data in addition to the report) and a valid prescription. This not only allows you to purchase supplies from online retailers, but makes it easier for you to shift to another doctor. After the first year, I no longer go to the sleep clinic and my primary updates the prescription at the DME.

It will take you awhile to figure out just how many extras you need to have on hand. Pillows/cushions last much longer than the replacement schedule, but how long depends on the person. Filters get replaced when they start to darken, and that varies with your environment. Masks are the same way and vary by the type of mask.

[Hang Fire]

My DME emails me the moment anything is eligible to be billed to the insurance company. I just call and tell them what I want and they send it, no doc involvement at all. It's a money machine for them.

... only if patients like you are wasteful in taking supplies you don't really need.

[SewTired]

My DME emails me the moment anything is eligible to be billed to the insurance company. I just call and tell them what I want and they send it, no doc involvement at all. It's a money machine for them.

... only if patients like you are wasteful in taking supplies you don't really need.

Why are you attacking other people? What makes you so knowledgeable about what the poster needs? If someone wants to replace their supplies on the same schedule as the DME 'recommends', that is their business and choice. If they want to hoard supplies, that is also their choice. Provided they aren't hoarding just to sell them on Ebay, it's nobody's business.

[Hang Fire]

What makes you so knowledgeable about what the poster needs?

I have zero idea what he needs. That is why my post includes a conditional phrase,

if patients like you are wasteful

that is their business and choice

... it's no longer their own business when they post it on a page that can be read by anyone on the planet.

Do you know that every post made here has an icon inviting me to comment?

[loggerhead12]

Why are you attacking other people?

No worries. I just keep in mind that many here are cranky from lack of sleep due to ineffective therapy.

[LSAT]

My DME emails me the moment anything is eligible to be billed to the insurance company. I just call and tell them what I want and they send it, no doc involvement at all. It's a money machine for them.

... only if patients like you are wasteful in taking supplies you don't really need.

Why are you attacking other people? What makes you so knowledgeable about what the poster needs? If someone wants to replace their supplies on the same schedule as the DME 'recommends', that is their business and choice. If they want to hoard supplies, that is also their choice. Provided they aren't hoarding just to sell them on Ebay, it's nobody's business.

I have seen instances where a person takes the supplies according to the Medicare or insurance schedule and builds up a supply and then they changes masks or machines. If you go to Craigslist you will see people selling 6,7,or more mask cushions, brand new masks, humidifier cups, hoses etc.

[palerider]

My DME emails me the moment anything is eligible to be billed to the insurance company. I just call and tell them what I want and they send it, no doc involvement at all. It's a money machine for them.

... only if patients like you are wasteful in taking supplies you don't really need.

Why are you attacking other people? What makes you so knowledgeable about what the poster needs? If someone wants to replace their supplies on the same schedule as the DME 'recommends', that is their business and choice. If they want to hoard supplies, that is also their choice. Provided they aren't hoarding just to sell them on Ebay, it's nobody's business.

We've got a moderator here now, there's no need for you to play the part of annoying busybody
.

[Therapist]

SewTired wrote:

there's no need for you to play the part of annoying busybody

Nailed it!