Do you still visit your Dr. every year?

[Pinhead]

I've been at this 10+ years now and over that period over 98% compliant. Leaks appear ok ( if I get a smiling face on my machine I call it good ) and AHI 2.5 or less. If things are worse than that I load up sleepyhead. We moved a few years ago and I had to change suppliers and they wanted a new prescription so I found a new Dr. that took my insurance and made an appt. updated my script and moved on. Now its been one year and they keep calling, usually when I'm golfing so I don't answer.

Do you guys still go to the Dr. very year if you are not having issues?

[Pugsy]

I haven't seen my sleep doctor since Aug 2009.
Haven't needed to.

Edit...BTW I have Medicare and I haven't needed to see the doctor to keep getting my masks and supplies.

[raisedfist]

Nah, the sleep doctors I have seen have been practically useless.

[deerslayer]

Absolutely ! Medicare & AARP Supplemental requires me to be Compliant . It's just jumping through hoops , plus i love aggrevating the Sleep Doc
Happy Easter Y'all
Edit : after my fall on ice at work in Jan. trying to heal my 5 broken /displaced ribs has been my main health focus. Thank God i only missed 3 weeks-workmans comp sucks. Now on fosamax and vit D3 2,000iu
life is Good !

[Bertha deBlues]

When I discovered that my PCP knows more about sleep apnea than the specialist I was seeing, I asked if he would be my sleep doctor. He agreed. Since I see him every 6 months anyway, it's no big deal - just a quick update on how I'm doing. He applauds my active involvement in my own care and is very supportive. I consider myself lucky.

[Okie bipap]

A lot depends on your DME and your insurance. Most insurances require you to prove you are using the machine in order for them to pay for the supplies. Some DMEs will allow you to use the same prescription for ever, while others want a new prescription every year. We see our sleep doctor every six months because there is a small clause buried in the Affordable Care Act that said prescriptions were only good for six months, and they decided to follow those guidelines.

[amenite]

I think it was 2014 when I first was diagnosed "officially" by the respiratory Dr. (I diagnosed myself and that's why I was there in the first place). Went back once for a followup and to get a copy of my prescription and haven't been back. When it comes to CPAP equipment I'm self-insured so no issues with compliance and that also helps in avoiding unnecessary spending

[DAYMX5]

Never used to but sincI'm on Medicare & got a new machine I have to to be compliant. My supplies are now paid for.

[Goofproof]

I was going every three months, but after 12 years I have him down to 6 months. He's a Pulmonary Doctor. Mainly it's a rubber stamp, and sometimes a X-Ray and Lung Function.

Unlike many he's pleasant and I do what I need and he agrees. My kind of doctor. Jim

[Bertha deBlues]

A lot depends on your DME and your insurance. Most insurances require you to prove you are using the machine in order for them to pay for the supplies. Some DMEs will allow you to use the same prescription for ever, while others want a new prescription every year. We see our sleep doctor every six months because there is a small clause buried in the Affordable Care Act that said prescriptions were only good for six months, and they decided to follow those guidelines.

According to my DME and my insurer (a Medicare Advantage Plan), since I met the compliance requirements and the insurer rented the machine for 13 months, the machine now belongs to me and I do not have to meet any further requirements. My understanding is that if I ever need a new machine, the compliance requirements will start all over.
Edit: My PCP does not ask for my SD card. I print out a few Sleepyhead charts and he's okay with that.

[D.H.]

I just made my appointment for this year. I will bring in the card, so I don't think that he'll ask for another overnight test. He used to send me for a lot of tests back when I had a brick.

[amenite]

I just made my appointment for this year. I will bring in the card, so I don't think that he'll ask for another overnight test. He used to send me for a lot of tests back when I had a brick.

One of the reasons I didn't bother going back after the first follow up was that the PA told me they don't look at anything but compliance data. Maybe that's changed now but it struck me as a waste of time and money for no purpose. They suggested a titration study too. If they had looked at the actual usage data from the card they would have seen I was doing fine with out expensive lab tests. Of course YMMV, so do as you feel or as your insurance requires.

[zonker]

nope. i'm in a privileged position in that i don't need insurance to pay for my stuff. i just go on my own with the help of this fine forum!

[Wulfman...]

Do you guys still go to the Dr. very year if you are not having issues?

Absolutely NOT! I haven't seen my sleep doctor since about a month after I started therapy in 2005. I have always had data-capable equipment and have monitored my therapy with software since the beginning, so there have not been any "issues". And, if there were, I'd resolve them myself. My original sleep doctor was a worthless POS.
And, other than my original equipment purchase ( my then insurance provider reimbursed me 80% ) I have purchased ALL of my extra equipment and supplies out-of-pocket.......even since I went on Medicare in 2013. Over the years, I've seen way too many people taking advantage of their insurance and "wasting" those resources.......they take everything they can get at the allowed intervals and then sell the extras on the forum, Ebay, Craigslist and other places. No wonder insurance premiums are so high. It's been one of my pet peeves over the years.......if you can't tell.

Happy Easter!

Den

.

[Islandwoman]

Not for 4+ years. He is good and well meaning but I got more practical help from right here. probably will have to go if I want an new machine. Medicare will probably want a new Rx but I hope he will just OK one on the phone and send it in. I got my current RemStar 560P auto AFlex from Apria before the big changer over. I lucked out with a great tech and a new machine when mine made noise so will have to find a new local supplier. Big turnover in Medicare suppliers here.