I was just diagnosed and in the second part of my sleep study I was placed on a cpap machine in the hospital and the technician told me that she would be adjusting my pressure from the control room.  She told me that there were machines that do it automatically.  I hated the mask because the tube prevented me from laying my head on the side (Now that the test is over I see the tube can be moved to the left or right side)  I did not like the push back when I exhaled but hey it was my first time trying this treatment so I decided to relax and just see how the overall experience would be in the morning when the entire thing was over.

Well, I woke up at 6:30 am (the end of the test) and the pressure was up high and it was clear that I had fallen asleep.  I asked the technician how it went and she said that she increased it to 14 so it was up pretty high.  She also spoke about the possibility to improve comfort on exhale with certain machines.  I FELT 1000 times better that day and am so amazed that I want to get one of these units immediately.  I asked my doctor to help and she is calling the hostipal to see if we can get the sleep report today so that I can order a machine.  I am interested in getting one of the new APAP machines and am interested in the A Flex technology, I like the following machine and mask combination.

REMStar Auto with A-Flex w/SmartCard
(includes humidifier)

Also want to try their mask that goes with this machine and is supposed to work best because they were made to work together the mask is

Respironics OptiLife With Headgear and Chin Suppport Band
Sizes: P,S,M,L Pillow Cushions Part Number 1036800 and HCPCS A7034,A7035

I chose this because the machine automatically adjusts and offers the A-flex technology which sounds great.  My question is how do I order this.  Do I need to coordinate this with the hospital.  I dont want the hospital to give me a standard CPAP machine my attitude is that I might as well start out using something that is very good and very comfortable.

And advise from those of you that are very experienced and have been using this for a long time.

Thanks

Start w/calling your insurance company and asking them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you have the option of more than one so that you have some "negotiating room".

Do NOT try to discuss various equipment and models. But do ask just what your DME benefits are: copays, deductables, outright purchase, some type of capped rental or rent to own, of the CPAP itself and outright purchase of the rest of the equipment such as mask, hose, humidifier, etc.

Most all insurance companies do NOT reimburse by brand or model, etc. They reimburse by HCPCS code. A bare bone, compliance data only CPAP obviously costs less than a fully data capable CPAP or an autoPAP, BUT, they are all billed as HCPCS code E0601. So, also obviously, the DME's profit margin is reduced if they provide an autoPAP instead of a bare bone compliance data only CPAP. (Bi-levels, SVs, etc. are an entirely different HCPCS code).

So - you should be able to get a fully data capable straight CPAP w/expiration pressure relief (C-Flex & A-Flex w/Respironics and EPR w/Resmeds) w/o too much hassle from the local DME supplier. Expect a tougher battle which you might not be able to win for an autoPAP such as you are interested in. It helps, but is no guarantee, if your sleep doctor or your scripting doctor will back up your desire for the auto and write the script specifically.

Eh, any mask can work w/any machine. Its the PATIENT and the mask that have to be compatible, meaning COMFORTABLE and virtually leak free. It sounds like maybe it was the Swift II mask that you used during your titration study and you might want to give that one serious consideration.

But, when you go to the DME supplier's to pick up your equipment insist on trying as many different masks and styles as possible there before committing to any particular one. And before you go be sure to check out the Tips for Masks and Machines sticky at the top of this forum so you know how a PROPER mask fitting should be conducted. #1 you should be laying down (remember the law of gravity?) and #2 a CPAP machine should be turned on to your pressure. A fitting w/o those two requisites is a sham.

I'm sure you are going to find that once you acclimate to wearing a mask and using CPAP that the C-Flex, A-Flex or EPR is not as important to you as you think since you managed to sleep so well and feel so refreshed the morning of your titration. This is especially true when using an autoPAP. A lot of us find once we get acclimated to sleeping w/mask and xPAP that a straight CPAP is actually MORE comfortable than the constant pressure transition of an autoPAP. MANY of us end up turning OFF the C-Flex, A-Flex, EPR and even the Ramp once we've had some experience sleeping w/all this equipment.

The nice thing about an autoPAP is that you CAN use it in CPAP "or" auto mode. BUT, really, the most important feature is that your xPAP be fully data capable. If you have some difficulties w/your xPAP therapy that data can give a good indication of what the problem is and what changes to your therapy might be needed. W/o that data your doctor would have to be making changes by guess and by gosh - or w/another expensive titration study.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Thanks so much for this KNOWLEDGE is power.  I called my insurance carrier and the DME that the hospital uses is IN MY INSURANCE NETWORK and I learned that there is a zero co-pay and no deductible.  So my out of pocket is nothing. I then called the DME and spoke to a women that was very nice.  I explained that I want the following (After research here I changed my mind and now want this equipment) ResMed S8 AutoSet Spirit II Unit with the Humidaire 3i and Smart data card device.  She was a bit surprised and said that she will have the Respiratory person call me directly today.  The hospital is writing the script for me now and they also know what I am seeking and have agreed.  If I need, I will call my ENT Doctor and have her write it specifically for this machine and equipment.

You are correct the mask was a Mirage Swift II and it was only annoying because I did not like the tube running up along the right side of my face (I prefer to sleep on my side and want my face on the pillow)  After I got home and looked at the mask I noticed that the tube can be on the right or the left or pointed down.  I am going to try it not on either side but pointed down.  I understand that I will also probably (if I tolerate it well) which I think I will set it to straight CPAP but I like starting with something that adjusts until I get used to it.  I was told during my study that it reached 14 (that scared me a little because it seems kind of high) but as I said, I did not wake up and FELT AMAZING the next morning.  If you ever saw the movie The Awakening that is how I felt.  Like I have been in a coma the last three years.  I am still excited and now feel like every night I don't have this machine is like remaining in my coma, I only hope that my excitement after several weeks on this therapy remains to deliver fantastic results.  Its hard for me to believe that I felt that amazing after only one initial treatment and in a sleep lab too.  My wife and entire family is excited about not running away and sleeping in different beds to escape me.

I had little faith that I would be happy with becoming DARTH VADER but the way I felt after just one night speaks for itself.  There is no doubt in my mind that this technology works.

Thanks to all that are helping me get started.  This is an amazing site.

CrohnieToo wrote:

Start w/calling your insurance company and asking them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you have the option of more than one so that you have some "negotiating room".

Do NOT try to discuss various equipment and models. But do ask just what your DME benefits are: copays, deductables, outright purchase, some type of capped rental or rent to own, of the CPAP itself and outright purchase of the rest of the equipment such as mask, hose, humidifier, etc.

Most all insurance companies do NOT reimburse by brand or model, etc. They reimburse by HCPCS code. A bare bone, compliance data only CPAP obviously costs less than a fully data capable CPAP or an autoPAP, BUT, they are all billed as HCPCS code E0601. So, also obviously, the DME's profit margin is reduced if they provide an autoPAP instead of a bare bone compliance data only CPAP. (Bi-levels, SVs, etc. are an entirely different HCPCS code).

So - you should be able to get a fully data capable straight CPAP w/expiration pressure relief (C-Flex & A-Flex w/Respironics and EPR w/Resmeds) w/o too much hassle from the local DME supplier. Expect a tougher battle which you might not be able to win for an autoPAP such as you are interested in. It helps, but is no guarantee, if your sleep doctor or your scripting doctor will back up your desire for the auto and write the script specifically.

Eh, any mask can work w/any machine. Its the PATIENT and the mask that have to be compatible, meaning COMFORTABLE and virtually leak free. It sounds like maybe it was the Swift II mask that you used during your titration study and you might want to give that one serious consideration.

But, when you go to the DME supplier's to pick up your equipment insist on trying as many different masks and styles as possible there before committing to any particular one. And before you go be sure to check out the Tips for Masks and Machines sticky at the top of this forum so you know how a PROPER mask fitting should be conducted. #1 you should be laying down (remember the law of gravity?) and #2 a CPAP machine should be turned on to your pressure. A fitting w/o those two requisites is a sham.

I'm sure you are going to find that once you acclimate to wearing a mask and using CPAP that the C-Flex, A-Flex or EPR is not as important to you as you think since you managed to sleep so well and feel so refreshed the morning of your titration. This is especially true when using an autoPAP. A lot of us find once we get acclimated to sleeping w/mask and xPAP that a straight CPAP is actually MORE comfortable than the constant pressure transition of an autoPAP. MANY of us end up turning OFF the C-Flex, A-Flex, EPR and even the Ramp once we've had some experience sleeping w/all this equipment.

The nice thing about an autoPAP is that you CAN use it in CPAP "or" auto mode. BUT, really, the most important feature is that your xPAP be fully data capable. If you have some difficulties w/your xPAP therapy that data can give a good indication of what the problem is and what changes to your therapy might be needed. W/o that data your doctor would have to be making changes by guess and by gosh - or w/another expensive titration study.

lots of new users worry about how they will look wearing the mask but it doesnt really matter


_________________
respironics comfort gell mask,resmed S6 lightweight CPAP, pressure 10 no humidifier
NO DOCTOR EVER ASKED ME IF I SNORED

lynn321 wrote:

lots of new users worry about how they will look wearing the mask but it doesnt really matter

Day 3 and your right I dont care any more, I have NEVER felt this good in years.  It truely is amazing how much it has already changed my life I hope it continues.