Wellness

[ScrapHappy]

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).

[Hilery]

@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. 

[ScrapHappy]

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@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. 

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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.

[Scooby Doo]

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.

[cindyNC]

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. 

[Hilery]

@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. 

[cindyNC]

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

[hckynutjohn]

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  🇺🇸

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@cindyNC wrote:

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

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[judianne]

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 . 

[MamaWick]

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.