I consistently get the same supplies every month. Can you ship my supplies automatically?
No. If you do not call us to order supplies, we cannot ship them out. We have to verify information such as your address, insurance, and whether or not you’ve been admitted to the hospital before we can ship your supplies. In addition to verifying information, this also gives us an opportunity to follow up with you about how your respiratory equipment is functioning and to answer any questions you may have.
Why do you call and ask me the same questions every month?
If you are renting equipment from us, we call once a month to follow up on the equipment’s performance as well as your usage. We want to make sure that the equipment is working properly and that you still actually need it. We don’t want to continue to bill you and your insurance company for equipment that you do not use.
It is especially important for us to follow up with you if you are on a ventilator. Because of your condition, the slightest changes could affect your respiratory health. That is why we call in advance to ask you about your equipment, supplies, and any changes such as hospital stays or travel plans before sending a therapist to follow up with you. The more information we have, the more prepared we are to help you.
Do I need a prescription if I am paying cash for my supplies?
Yes. Most of the equipment and supplies we carry are “prescription only” items–very much like prescription drugs are. For example, a pharmacist would not be able to dispense prescription medication without a doctor’s order. In the same way, even though the prescription is not used to bill your insurance, it is still illegal (and potentially unsafe) for us to dispense certain respiratory equipment and supplies without a prescription from your physician.
If I experience a problem with my equipment after your office is closed, what can I do?
We have somebody on call to troubleshoot technical issues over the phone 24 hours a day. Call our office number. If a respiratory therapist does not pick up right away, just leave a message with your name, number, and a brief description of the problem. Someone will call you back within 15 minutes. If the problem is life threatening, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
My ventilator/CPAP/BiPAP pressure is uncomfortable for me. Can you change it?
We can change it if:
- We provided the equipment.
- We have a prescription from the doctor to change the settings.