topic Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP in Wellness

Sleep Apnea CPAP

Hilery — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 22:45:39 GMT

I recently participated in an at home sleep stud and was diagnosed with sleep apnea. A message from PC says he will contact Medicare regarding disgnosis and treatment. I have been using a custom mandibular appliance for a least 10 years which I will discontinue. I am seeking advice and information regarding CPAP machines covered by Medicare. Personal recommendations of what to avoid and what is useful. Assuming Medicare covers cost of basic? What to expect from Medicare?

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

3blackdogs — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 22:55:04 GMT

I'm not sure about Medicare because my husband got his while still on his employer insurance. We do get the supplies needed on Amazon. It was cheaper than getting through his insurance. He definitelynsleeps better, I hope you will too.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

colleena — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 23:18:39 GMT

@Hilery I've been using a CPAP for 5 plus years as my ortho doctor referred me prior to my hip replacement. I really do notice a difference in my sleep quality & my awareness during the day. The machine itself plus the supplies have all been covered through Medicare plus my Plan F supplement. During my last couple years of work I was having sleep issues & sorry now that I didn't pursue this sooner.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

hckynutjohn — Mon, 04 Jul 2022 23:26:43 GMT

@Hilery

I have had 6 sleep studies, done in 3 different facilities, that was all they did at these places. And the nurses were trained specifically in how to attach all the connections. Each time that took the best part of an hour to hook me up.

Knowing how long and how many wires I was connected to each time! I am just curious how an "in home sleep study is done"!

My sleep studies were done for reasons other than Sleep Apnea, but. The results included that also in their findings.

My results--3 said I had Sleep Apnea, 3 said I did not. From my experiences, and seeing all the recording devices used in these Sleep Study facilities! They must have improved immensely since I had my last one.

Unfortunately the 1st one showed Sleep Apnea so I was on a CPAP. It was paid for by Medicare. I tried several different type masks, and did not like any of them.

When my Pulmonologist ordered my 2nd Sleep Study, it came up negative for Sleep Apnea, so I ditched the CPAP.

After my 2nd bout with Pulmonary Embolism(PE), I was on an Oxygen Concentrator for 18 months. This was because my Oxygen Saturation numbers got way too low when I was sleeping, thus all the Sleep Studies.

After the 18 months and the many Sleep Studies, my lungs had become strong enough to maintain a good Oxygen Saturation level when sleeping.

No Oxygen Concentrator, no CPAP.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

Pook — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 00:22:25 GMT

@hckynutjohn My SO just had a home sleep study done for his pulmonologist since newly diagnosed with mild COPD. It is not as in depth as the in house one. The sleep clinic sent a small device with leads to attatch to your chest and a tube to the nose. Then you either drop it off or send it back.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

hckynutjohn — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 00:40:46 GMT

@Pook

Thank you for that information. I didn't doubt that the OP had this done, I was just very curious how. Sounds pretty simple, for me I prefer the older tried and ttue methods.

You mentioned your SO and COPD. After my 1st heart attack, with the Aspirstion Pneumonia included, my lungs were pretty damaged. From that and my 2 prior bouts with PE, they were struggling to keep my blood oxygen sufficient. That is when he also wanted me on an Oxygen Concentrator at night. That used just the nose cannula and he had me very the amount set on the Concentrator.

That is when my Pulmonologist prescribed my first Sleep Study. I too was showing mild COPD, and he also prescribed 12 sessions of Pulmonary Rehab. It was strange for me as I was the only one without a portable oxygen device.

Thanks again for the info. I hope everything turns out the best for your SO, and you also.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

Hilery — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 01:48:25 GMT

@Pook @hckynutjohn , the home study involved a recording device attached to upper admomen with cannula in nose and oximeter attached to finger. I refer you to blackstonemedicalservicesdotcom/instructions/ for additional information. Will Medicare contact me with vendor referral? Do I locate my own vendor for device? Is there a wide range of price for device? Assume there are good, better, best devices? Thank you for your insight.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

RedTop — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 02:17:42 GMT

@Hilery

My husbands C-pap came thru the VA's contracted medical supply network. A rep brought the machine to the house and set it up; my husband had no choice in anything.

We were not notified when the VA dropped that supplier and went to a new one for the machines and supplies. It took 4-6 months for him to get replacement mask and hoses; he is still using the original concentrator. Only once in the last 15 years did the VA request to have the SIM card sent in to verify usage, in order to continue sending supplies.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

hckynutjohn — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 05:18:21 GMT

@Hilery

All of my machinery and supplies were from a local Medical Supply Store recommended by Pulmonologist and Cardiologist.

A representative from there, that was a Respiratory Therapist, came to my home and explained what was covered completely by Medicare. He also had my medical history in regards to my needs. This was both for my Oxygen Concentrator and my CPAP Machine, and accessories.

For the CPAP he had me try on different masks to see which I preferred. Kinda hard to tell from wearing it a few minutes, than sleeping the night in it. The CPAP Machine I chose had a water type of tank. That way I wasn't getting dry air through the tubing and mask.

Gotta go now, my wife will be calling me. She is in a different city Pet Sitting for 9 days.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

Hilery — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 04:21:53 GMT

@hckynutjohn I have seen a newer type using cannula rather than mask. Thanks for your information. I will wait for word from PC.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

ScrapHappy — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 14:01:59 GMT

I didn't get my sleep apne machine/equipment from Medicare, I got mine thru insurance from work. Phillips had a huge recall of their machines not too long ago. Mine is Res Med. When I got mine, the medical equiipment place I received it from went thru everthing with me...how it works, etc. I buy my masks and other equipment from on line stores. I found it is a lot less expensive (even using insurance).

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

Hilery — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 15:46:12 GMT

@ScrapHappy @I appreciate your input. Does anyone have input regarding travel size device? Is it also recommended for home use? Exploring as many options in advance of contact from Medicare.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

ScrapHappy — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 15:58:13 GMT

@Hilery wrote:
@ScrapHappy @I appreciate your input. Does anyone have input regarding travel size device? Is it also recommended for home use? Exploring as many options in advance of contact from Medicare.

I don't know about the travel size devices but I do know that the ones that are made more recently are smaller/more compact. My Mom got one after me and hers was half the size of mine.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

Scooby Doo — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:11:52 GMT

I have been using a cpap machine for 5 years. Mine is the ResMed which I think is the top of the line machine. Medicare pays for 85% of the supplies and my insurance picks up the remaining so it doesn't cost me anything. My supplies are auto shipped every 3 months. My pulmonologist chose the supplier and ordered the machine. When I picked it up they had already set the levels in the machine according to my study.

The machine has a sim card in it and can be controlled remotely. For instance, my last oxygen test indicated that I needed a higher level so the pulmonologist increased it remotely. The sim card records your usage and is accessed remotely. It tells how often you use the machine, for how many hours, and how many episodes of not breathing you have.

Medicare pays for the RENTAL of the machine for one year and you must use it for their required minimum amount of time in order for them to keep paying for it. If you don't the cost will become yours. After one year of constant use Medicare buys the machine and it is now yours.

As far as the travel machine goes, I don't think it's intended for at home use. It's close to the same cost so just go for the standard machine. BTW, the machine is very quiet, I don't hear it running. I take my machine with me when I travel. It came with a very nice padded travel case. I just make sure I take an extension card with me.

There are several types of masks to use and your supplier should have some you can try on. I found a couple to be very uncomfortable and the nose one doesn't work for me.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

cindyNC — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 17:57:07 GMT

I have always used ResMed products. My CPAP machine is a Fit for Her but I use a very old mask style as I need the bar across my forehead.

This year will be my first purchasing supplies thru medicare so I have no idea how much I'll be responsible for. I used to shop thru CPAP exchange for the occasional parts prior to medicare.

I had the worst luck with a company called ROTECH. They shipped things I didn't need or order, but they were on the list of approved venders when I had health insurance thru work. Will never do business with them again. I finally called the insurance company and caused a stink about the supply issues. Ended up donating all the stuff I didn't use as it couldn't be returned.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

Hilery — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 22:26:06 GMT

@Scooby Doo @cindyNC, I really appreciate your posts. @cindyNC , Can you elaborate regarding bar across forehead? I do not wish to intrude on any private issue so just ignore if my question is too invasive.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

cindyNC — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 09:01:49 GMT

@Hilery here iare some photos (from the internet) of my mask.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

hckynutjohn — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 14:21:21 GMT

And I thought the one I wore years ago was bad! This? Hard for me to understand why all those straps are imperative when sleeping. The one I wore had a single strap pulled taut enough to stay in place.

If my rep had shown me this thing?

hckynut 🇺🇸

@cindyNC wrote:
@Hilery here iare some photos (from the internet) of my mask.

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

judianne — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 17:27:04 GMT

My DH has used a C-Pap for 20 years or more . He has had in house study as well as the home one . He has Medicare and a supplement . Every few years , 5 , l think , they allow you to get a new machine . They consider it a rental for the first 12 months and then you own it . They divided the cost into 12 payments / rental use / as a lot of stuff they pay for people do not need for a whole year such as a wheelchair chair etc . So they can stop paying when you stop using . He gets his supplies from a Medicare Supply Co , the supplement pays for the remaining bills after Medicare . The Supply co keeps track of when you can get more supplies, and how much , etc . Usually it's every 3 months . They always call to ask what you need at the appropriate time . I always tell them he needs everything because he is very particular about changing filters etc. It's important to get a Supply co that will service the account and not make it a hassle .Getting your supplies on time and without issue becomes important ! He had one that was awful , sending supplies out over a month after the order etc . You are allowed 4 sets of supplies in a year , however the supplies have to be delivered 3 months apart , so for 2 years my DH only got 3 sets of supplies because they wouldn't send them out until you ask several times , then excuses .

Re: Sleep Apnea CPAP

MamaWick — Thu, 07 Jul 2022 19:52:32 GMT

Your PCP should be sending a referral with all the details to a local supplier. The supplier should then contract you for an appointment. The supplier will make the appropriate recommendations based on your results...whether you need CPAP and what the setting is (example, 11 cm water) or whether you need auto PAP with settings between 4 cm water and 20 cm water. The supplier will go over head gear and cushion (mask) choices to see whether you might prefer a full cushion or nasal. You should be given 30 days to change to a different cushion set up.

I have been on CPAP since 02/2017. I was on a ResMed machine at 11 cm water with a full face cushion. At the 5 year mark, I was eligible for new equipment per Medicare guidelines. I underwent a new study and was recommended to go on auto PAP. I also switched to a nasal cushion. I am generally a mouth breather, but am doing extremely well with the smaller nasal apparatus.