Hi Everyone.
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in October. I had my first sleep study on 10-02-05, and my titration study on 10-22-05. I had them fax copies of both reports to me. I was wondering how long it took everyone to get a cpap machine. I have contacted the sleep lab and my Dr's office several times, at this point they are no longer returning my calls.  I was informed by the DME that my Dr. had not sent the SIGNED order, but they would send an e-mail request for it to be sent. As of this point the Dr's ofc should have at least 4 requests for the signed order (twice I was told the request would be hand delivered). Am I being unreasonable, or is it time to try and find another Dr. and have HIM send for all my medical records. I have Blue Cross HMO insurance so that's not the problem. How long should I expect to wait?

Sandy-Eyed wrote:

Hi Everyone.
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in October. I had my first sleep study on 10-02-05, and my titration study on 10-22-05. I had them fax copies of both reports to me. I was wondering how long it took everyone to get a cpap machine. I have contacted the sleep lab and my Dr's office several times, at this point they are no longer returning my calls.  I was informed by the DME that my Dr. had not sent the SIGNED order, but they would send an e-mail request for it to be sent. As of this point the Dr's ofc should have at least 4 requests for the signed order (twice I was told the request would be hand delivered). Am I being unreasonable, or is it time to try and find another Dr. and have HIM send for all my medical records. I have Blue Cross HMO insurance so that's not the problem. How long should I expect to wait?

Hi Sandy Eyed,

Maybe I have tunnel vision, but I do believe that you paid (through the neck) for a service from your doctor and as such as a consumer you deserve better than you are getting. Simply put, if it was a plumber, painter or carpenter would you wait this long, or would you pay them ? I think not.

A question.......is your doctor a sleep doctor or your GP ?

As for time, you could have been fitted for cpap the day after your titration study. It's now 4 weeks since then.

Sorry for being so blunt, but it p*s**s me off when so called professionals act in such an unprofessional manner.

If it was me (and I can be pigheaded) I would be making arrangements to go elsewhere..........but that's me  

Kind regards,

Daniel


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

I also have Blue Cross HMO (California).  Here's what happened to me.  I first saw my ENT in early July.  He suggested I have the Sleep Study.  It was originally scheduled for October - but I was "lucky" enough to be called on a cancellation on September 2nd.  The doctor got the results within 2-3 days, but required me to schedule an appointment 3 weeks down the road.  At the appointment he just handed me the sleep study (they already sent me a copy) and said I had sleep apnea and needed CPAP.  He gave me a prescription and a list of Durable Medical Equipment suppliers (half of which were no longer in business) and said "call one of these".  

I immediately called and sent in the required documentation (they didn't care if it was a copy or not).  It took until OCTOBER 18th for my CPAP to be delivered.  I was on the phone every day trying to deal with these people.  They mishandled my insurance, and generally dragged their feet every step of the way.  I whined and moaned that I felt awful and my sleep study said to be careful not to fall asleep at the wheel.  They simply didn't care.

Anyways,  sorry for the rant.  Here are some things I learned.

* Try to see if you can deal with the DME yourself.  You should have a CPAP prescription and your sleep study, but that's all they really need.
*  Stay on them on a daily basis.  Camp out in the office if you have to.
*  I contacted my primary care physician and she gave the ENT's office Hell for the way things were handled.  I should have contacted her at the first sign of trouble.
* If you have preferences as to the type/brand of CPAP and mask you want, make sure you let them know ASAP - my preferences delayed my order by about a week.
* While you're talking to the doctors, try to get an RX for Ambien or some type of sleep aide.  It takes a good few weeks to get used to the CPAP.

Good luck - I hope you have better luck than I.

By the way, I feel like a different person with the CPAP (better)

Daniel and Tired,
Thanks for your timely replies. I made ONE MORE call to the sleep lab after posting on this board and I swear they must be monitoring it!!!    A very kind and sympathetic sleep tech. got the ball rolling and I had a message to call the DME (a completely different one from my previous contacts). HALLELUJAH! I have an appointment to be fitted Wednesday!

Daniel: You are absolutely right!  Sometimes we must do a Jekyll and Hyde to get action. My Dr. is a GP, and is usually very attentive, proffesional and prompt. I really think it's his office staff that's the problem. I will mention it to him on my next visit.

Tired: Boy... You had a worse time than me-I'm glad it was worth the trouble you went through.  I already have Ambien, from difficulty sleeping after surgery earlier this year. Also, I asked for the RESMED S8 (they have the Escape) and the Swift nasal pillows and the Breeze. They also carry Respironics machines.

Do either of you have an opinion about my choices? I need to make any necessary changes ASAP. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Sandy-Eyed wrote:

Daniel and Tired,
Thanks for your timely replies. I made ONE MORE call to the sleep lab after posting on this board and I swear they must be monitoring it!!!    A very kind and sympathetic sleep tech. got the ball rolling and I had a message to call the DME (a completely different one from my previous contacts). HALLELUJAH! I have an appointment to be fitted Wednesday!

Daniel: You are absolutely right!  Sometimes we must do a Jekyll and Hyde to get action. My Dr. is a GP, and is usually very attentive, proffesional and prompt. I really think it's his office staff that's the problem. I will mention it to him on my next visit.

Tired: Boy... You had a worse time than me-I'm glad it was worth the trouble you went through.  I already have Ambien, from difficulty sleeping after surgery earlier this year. Also, I asked for the RESMED S8 (they have the Escape) and the Swift nasal pillows and the Breeze. They also carry Respironics machines.

Do either of you have an opinion about my choices? I need to make any necessary changes ASAP. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Sany Eyed,

Most important thing for you now is the MASK. Don't mind the machine, but try every conceivable mask they have first. Try for comfort, ability to move around etc. If the mask ain't right then nothing will be right. The machine only blows air and there is little difference between the various offerings, however masks are another story. All masks are compatible with the various machines on offer.

Best of luck.

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Daniel: You are absolutely right!  Sometimes we must do a Jekyll and Hyde to get action. My Dr. is a GP, and is usually very attentive, proffesional and prompt. I really think it's his office staff that's the problem. I will mention it to him on my next visit.


Sandy Eyed,

Forgot this on the earlier post.

GPs normally know bugger all about sleep. Get a copy of your sleep study results. Consider attending a qualified sleep specialist..........you'll know if you need to  

As regards staff. Attention to detail and good customer care comes from the top of the food chain.........in your case your GP. Obviously he is not managing, and after all he is the one you pay, so he should be delivering in all the areas of customer care.

Give him hell........   

Daniel.


_________________
The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Daniel wrote:

  ..... As regards staff. Attention to detail and good customer care comes from the top of the food chain.........in your case your GP. Obviously he is not managing, and after all he is the one you pay, so he should be delivering in all the areas of customer care.
Give him hell........   
Daniel.

Great advice.  
I would only add that if you do complain to your doctor,  consider putting it in writing too.  Do a letter and hand it to him along with your verbal complaint, even if you're being very polite.  But be strong in the letter, and keep a copy for yourself.  It may mean nothing, but you never know.  Sometimes seeing something in writing makes people nervous, wondering if anyone else is going to see that letter.  Scare the pants off the doctor.  It can't hurt.  Also, it's a record for you of what happened, just in case you need to inform your insurance or even a future doctor.  Keep them honest.


Sometimes a doctor or the staff can make all the difference in dealing with DMEs, especially if the medical person is connected to a sleep lab.
I started a local support group for sleep apnea, and a doctor from the hospital's sleep lab attended.  Someone at our meeting complained about a local DME dragging their feet  on a promise and not answering calls.  The doctor's office called that local DME the next day, and IMMEDIATELY the problem got resolved.  In this area there are about 8 local DMEs, and they all compete.  These DMEs DO NOT want to get on the bad side of the sleep disorder medical community because they know the medical professionals can recommend a DME or warn against one.  Leverage.  Use it whenever possible.

I'm not entirely sure if this is important, but you might check the prescription and see if it includes an order for a heated humidifier.  I don't know, but some insurance companies may not pay for that without the doctor including it in his prescription.  My sleep study report and my prescription specified a humidifier (justifying it due to the high prescribed pressures), and my insurance covered all of it.  The insurance company may need verification that it is needed.  I say it's always needed, but you never know with insurance companies.

As to trying different masks at the DME, I've heard some advice of taking a pillow with you and maybe even a blanket, and try testing the mask lying down.  Or if that isn't possible, try reclining backwards in a chair as much as possible.  Do whatever it takes to replicate your sleeping position so you can check for leaks and comfort.  I didn't get that opportunity, but some do and I think it's a good idea.  A good DME would even suggest it and maybe even offer a place to try it out while lying down.  Something to keep in mind.


Linda

Thanks to all for your great advice! I won't have the opportunity to try the masks lying down because the RT is coming to my office for the fitting. I will make do with an exam table and office chair.
 Another question--My insurance company Blue Cross HMO- will NOT provide any replacements after the initial equipment.  Anyone else expected to use the same mask and machine for the rest of your life? They will rent the machine for 1 month with me paying 20% of rental fee and 20% of the cost to purchase everything after the rental period.
So---the Rt is calling the Dr. to change my order to a C-Flex so I'll have more options. The heated humidifier is already on the prescription. My pressure will be at 10cm.
I have a copy of my study and prescripton but it's not signed by Dr. I will take care of that when next I go to him. Matter of fact, I wasn't even advised to make a  follow up appt. after my study.  But I'll see how things go with this DME tomorrow and take it from there.