Hi,

I had my consult yesterday and they believe I have Sleep Apnea. They have scheduled me for a sleep test (overnight).
My insurance only converse one brand of machine. I see that specific machines aren't discussed. If the test confirms Sleep Apnea where do I ask the question "I have enough money to buy the best piece of equipment" - what choice /how do I express this to the Dr. so that the insurance savings / cost are not part of the decision making process and i get the best equipment available?
Thanks
Alan

alan51, if the diagnosis of sleep apnea is confirmed by your sleep study, my suggestion would be to start out trying the CPAP device that is covered by your insurance.

In the meantime, of course, you can certainly advise your physician that you do not need to be constrained by costs if he feels that another device is better suited to you.

If the covered device does not work for you, I'm sure you, your doctor and the durable equipment provider can work something out.

alan51 wrote:

Hi,

I had my consult yesterday and they believe I have Sleep Apnea. They have scheduled me for a sleep test (overnight).
My insurance only converse one brand of machine. I see that specific machines aren't discussed. If the test confirms Sleep Apnea where do I ask the question "I have enough money to buy the best piece of equipment" - what choice /how do I express this to the Dr. so that the insurance savings / cost are not part of the decision making process and i get the best equipment available?
Thanks
Alan

Hi Alan,

Initially, forget about the machine. Concentrate on the mask or whatever other interface you are going to use. Masks are interchangeable with different machines. If the mask is not right, no matter what machine you have it will not work. You will have major compliance problems.

Most clinics in Ireland suggest that you rent a machine for 3/4 months first before deciding finally. That facility may or may not be open to you, but it is best to air on the side of caution. Sometimes a basic 'nuts & bolts' type machine is best.

Best advice.....mask first.....cpap machine (or BiPap or Auto) second.

Daniel


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

(Anon)

Amigo wrote:

alan51, if the diagnosis of sleep apnea is confirmed by your sleep study, my suggestion would be to start out trying the CPAP device that is covered by your insurance.

In the meantime, of course, you can certainly advise your physician that you do not need to be constrained by costs if he feels that another device is better suited to you.

If the covered device does not work for you, I'm sure you, your doctor and the durable equipment provider can work something out.

Thanks for your advice - I just know some products are better than others and I don't want to be limited by an insurance companies arbitrary decision
I will make it  clear to the DR / Tech.

Thanks
Alan

Daniel wrote:

alan51 wrote:

Hi,

I had my consult yesterday and they believe I have Sleep Apnea. They have scheduled me for a sleep test (overnight).
My insurance only converse one brand of machine. I see that specific machines aren't discussed. If the test confirms Sleep Apnea where do I ask the question "I have enough money to buy the best piece of equipment" - what choice /how do I express this to the Dr. so that the insurance savings / cost are not part of the decision making process and i get the best equipment available?
Thanks
Alan

Hi Alan,

Initially, forget about the machine. Concentrate on the mask or whatever other interface you are going to use. Masks are interchangeable with different machines. If the mask is not right, no matter what machine you have it will not work. You will have major compliance problems.

Most clinics in Ireland suggest that you rent a machine for 3/4 months first before deciding finally. That facility may or may not be open to you, but it is best to air on the side of caution. Sometimes a basic 'nuts & bolts' type machine is best.

Best advice.....mask first.....cpap machine (or BiPap or Auto) second.

Daniel

Thanks Daniel - I will focus on the mask.

Hi,
I had my test Friday night - not sure what the results are the tech indicated that I had it but would need the results. The bed was too short, the parking lot noisy so I thought I had trouble sleeping but at 1:00 am they put me on a mask and I slept until about 4:00 am when I woke up feeling like I was drowning on air. Finally got settled down and slept a little more then woke up at 5:00 am had to get up. felt rested when I left there but was tired later on in the day. I am anxious to get an answer. I feel like I failed the test as I wasn't always asleep and didn't go to sleep right away.

A-

Don't feel like you failed it - they only need to see you sleep for a certain amount of time, and they don't expect you to sleep a full night in such a strange environment.

My study was split over two different nights.  The first night, I thought I had only slept 2-3 hours total.  Turns out I actually slept 251 minutes (over 4 hours).

If they woke you up and put on a mask, they must have gotten enough info to diagnose apnea - and if you slept from 1-4am with the mask, I'm sure they got enough data.


_________________
--Frank (FJC)

FJC wrote:

Don't feel like you failed it - they only need to see you sleep for a certain amount of time, and they don't expect you to sleep a full night in such a strange environment.

My study was split over two different nights.  The first night, I thought I had only slept 2-3 hours total.  Turns out I actually slept 251 minutes (over 4 hours).

If they woke you up and put on a mask, they must have gotten enough info to diagnose apnea - and if you slept from 1-4am with the mask, I'm sure they got enough data.

FJC,

Well I went into the test with the understanding that if it was positive they would put me on the mask and before the test the tech told me that they would want to get me on the mask by 2:30 am if they were going to do it. I just didn't feel like I slept during the first part but I got enough I guess and then in the morning I asked about the equipment to make sure they understood I would pay the difference or for all of it if what would work best for me wasn't covered and they said call the office on Monday morning. When I called Monday they said they had to wait for the results and they didn't know if I would need the CPAP so I am in the waiting stage just wanting to make sure I get what I want if I need it.

Thanks
A