Has anyone ordered a new CPAP machine recently?

[catrose]

In May I saw a message on mine that said, "Motor life exceeded." I called the vendor, who said I needed a new one and should get a prescription from my doctor. I had a doctor's appointment at the first of June (annual physical), so I asked him then. I've had a machine since 2008, so he had no problem writing another prescription.

Ever since then the vendor has demanded more and more information, most recently "office visit notes," which they then said weren't acceptable, because there wasn't any discussion of CPAP, my usage, and my benefit from it. After this long, we've had all those discussions, and my machine shows that I wear the mask all night, every night. The vendor says my insurance (Aetna) won't pay for the machine if there's not a lengthy discussion in the notes.

I guess I'll make another appointment (that I have to pay for), but I really have no hope they'll approve it then.

Has anyone else run into this difficulty? I haven't had it in the past. I feel they're endangering my life by postponing by three months the acquisition of a machine I need to breathe. It's difficult to get a CPAP machine anyway, because of supply-chain issues. I don't know how long it will be on backorder.

[rsdsharp]

1. There are on line vendors that will charge you $100 for a prescription

(sometimes its free) and then sell you a machine.

[No Vested Interest]

8. I have bought a CPAP via this online vending.

Been using CPAP for 18 yrs, every night.
I'm past 80 and just not up to going through repeat testing.
The new machines can gauge your needs automatically.

[exboyfil]

2. Mine was recalled two years ago

Have been on a list to replace it for over a year. Thought it had died, but it was just the cord with transformer that had gone bad. They had an old cord at the Home Healthcare store that they sold to me for $20. Works fine now. I have needed it less after losing 100+ pounds.

I assume my old sleep study (which was performed about 10 years ago) is still valid. My doctor has a standing order for it. I am really in no rush though since mine seems to be working fine.

[d_r]

3. there was a real slow down in delivery

to get a new facemask they were going to make me go see a sleep doctor since it had been before covid since I'd been and the sleep doctor I used to go to wasn't there anymore. I bought one on ebay.

[TigressDem]

4. Does your CPAP have an app that records your sleep record?

It should show how many times it keeps your breathing from stopping.

I think they are called sleep interruption events.

So there would be the crucial information.

If you have an app that interfaces with your phone, you could pull that info up, chart it in Excel, send it to your Doctor and tell him, I think they want information like this to go with the RX. Can you see if they will accept it so I can get a new one before this one dies?

[catrose]

5. Yes, they already have that. They want more.

[LiberalFighter]

6. 1) I would talk to the insurance carrier and doctor.

2) If vendor persists consider finding a different vendor.

[Ferrets are Cool]

7. Ask if your physician uses an EyeChart. If they do, you can probably get ALL that info through that

channel. We use our EyeCharts all the time. They are indispensable for getting info to and from the Dr.