CPAP thoughts?

[Easy Rider]

Also, to my knowledge FDA rules prohibit ANY prescription being issued without a direct contact between patient and doctor.

Nope. Not even close.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Also, to my knowledge FDA rules prohibit ANY prescription being issued without a direct contact between patient and doctor.

Nope. Not even close.

Well, I'm not as far off as you might want to think I am. It is a state level controlled requirement, not FDA. Forty-one states and D.C. have laws of some sort requiring contact before issuing a prescription. Here's a CDC document explaining what and where the rules are. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...irements.pdf&usg=AOvVaw1ZhsecGyp1x1H8Ub4MBkYM

The OP probably needs to take his argument to the state legislature or Medical Control Board, not his doctor. I didn't check the document for the rules of his state.

 

[canamjhb]

Is this the same doctor that you see for other things ?
If not, you should inquire of your primary care doctor if he can take over your CPAP care. Many will.

Then......there often is a big advantage to seeing your "regular doctor" at least once a year.
If you only go in when you are "sick", your next illness might put you in the morgue. :yikes:

That is a GREAT idea. My CPAP Dr. is not the same as my regular one. I see my regular Dr. yearly for my routine check up. I will see if he can take over duties from the CPAP guy (who I don't like very much anyway). Thanks for the suggestion..... Jim

Update. I just contacted my primary doctor. They can and will take over my CPAP care. That means not only saving in time for me but overall savings for my health care expense. A BIG thank you to IMS and Easy Rider for your knowledge and suggestions. I hope others will benefit from this useful information too...... Jim

 

[Easy Rider]

. have laws of some sort requiring contact before issuing a prescription.

Is the requirement for "face to face" contact.....in person ??
Which is what your original claim kind of implied.

 

[Easy Rider]

A BIG thank you to IMS and Easy Rider for your knowledge and suggestions. I hope others will benefit from this useful information too...... Jim

Glad I could be of some help.
Thank you for actually reading and thinking about the responses that you get.

I changed CPAP doctors once too; I didn't like my first guy much either.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Is the requirement for "face to face" contact.....in person ??
Which is what your original claim kind of implied.

That's what I thought was required but the CDC document indicates differently. From what I read in the first part of the doc the requirement can vary state by state.

 

[UtahPete]

I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea in 1999 and started wearing a CPAP. Insurance did not cover the test or the machine at that time. I felt the difference in a few days and can no longer sleep without one. I have been retested at least twice since the original test with a continuing sleep apnea diagnosis. I never had any trouble wearing a mask. My tests were all done in a hospital in a sleep clinic by trained sleep technicians. If you are not sure of your wife's results then get a second opinion. Always a good idea. I don't think I would be alive today if I didn't have my CPAP machine.

Couldn't agree more. 7 years with mine and wouldn't be without it. It goes with me everywhere. Fits in left 'saddlebag'. Powered by separate battery on the camping trailer.