My follow up visit

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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Barbee
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Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:07 pm

My follow up visit

Post by Barbee » Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:12 pm

Made it home from my first follow up with the sleep Dr since starting cpap. Dropped my machine off to Dan (on staff there) on the way back to the room. I will be bringing my machine in each visit. They want to retrieve my info, check all my settings, check out the machine for problems, etc. so that question was answered.

Elise (sleep specialist) came in and checked me out. Asked how I was getting along, had I seen any improvements, etc. Explained my report to me in detail. They are pleased with my progress. I averaged 2.3 ahi since I have been using the machine. Down from 27 ahi pre cpap. I had a few questions about supplies that Elise could not answer so she sent Dan back in.

Dan sat me down and showed me exactly how to sit the mask. He showed me how to remove that elbow I struggled with last weekend. Showed me the most common place my hose will wear out first. He also told me what I can expect to receive supply wise from my DME. I was shocked at how often I will be getting new supplies. Good info to know. If I don't get the supplies, I am to call my insurance company and let them know.

Next visit in 6 months.

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Okie bipap
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Location: Central Oklahoma

Re: My follow up visit

Post by Okie bipap » Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:42 pm

You don't have to get supplies at the rate the DME is recommending. Check with your insurance company. Many insurance companies forbid automatic shipment of supplies, and will only authorize shipment when you order them. That said, I do recommend you get supplies the first time you can in order to have a back up of each item. That way, if something wears out, you will have a spare on hand to use while you await shipment of the replacement items.

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Last edited by Okie bipap on Fri Mar 02, 2018 5:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Cryssied
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Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2018 5:35 pm

Re: My follow up visit

Post by Cryssied » Fri Mar 02, 2018 5:23 pm

Sounds like you're getting great numbers! I wish my first sleep doc had been so thorough as yours is! I ended up with a new one because my insurance changed and I'm glad I did! I'm also pretty new to this gig, and it seems to be a bit overwhelming at times.

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Barbee
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Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:07 pm

Re: My follow up visit

Post by Barbee » Fri Mar 02, 2018 6:33 pm

Okie bipap wrote:
Fri Mar 02, 2018 3:42 pm
You don't have to get supplies at the rate the DME is recommending. Check with your insurance company. Many insurance companies forbid automatic shipment of supplies, and will only authorize shipment when you order them. That said, I do recommend you get supplies the first time you can in order to have a back up of each item. That way, if something wears out, you will have a spare on hand to use while you await shipment of the replacement items.
I plan to double check with my insurance company next week, but this is what Dan said my company allows:
Monthly:
A new mask pillow

Every 3 months:
A new mask and a new hose

Every 6 months:
New headgear and a new humidifier tank

Oh and I checked my paperwork. I am on a rent to own thing with my machine. Or I guess my insurance company is.

prodigyplace
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Location: Central Virginia

Re: My follow up visit

Post by prodigyplace » Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:13 pm

Be sure to keep track of those rent to own payments especially if there is a copay. My DME tried to bill me after the 10 months were complete. I had to call and get the bill canceled.

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SewTired
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Location: Minneapolis area

Re: My follow up visit

Post by SewTired » Sat Mar 03, 2018 3:14 pm

A new mask pillow

Every 3 months:
A new mask and a new hose

Every 6 months:
New headgear and a new humidifier tank
People will have different recommendations. In any case, collect all the new supplies this first year. I personally recommend having TWO backups of everything. From there, you can determine your needs for future.

My bro went two years with the original humidifier tank and then two were cracked in one year. I'm still on my original humdifier bin and it's over 3 years.

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Barbee
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Re: My follow up visit

Post by Barbee » Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:25 pm

prodigyplace wrote:
Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:13 pm
Be sure to keep track of those rent to own payments especially if there is a copay. My DME tried to bill me after the 10 months were complete. I had to call and get the bill canceled.
Good idea. Thanks!

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Barbee
Posts: 210
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Re: My follow up visit

Post by Barbee » Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:26 pm

SewTired wrote:
Sat Mar 03, 2018 3:14 pm
A new mask pillow

Every 3 months:
A new mask and a new hose

Every 6 months:
New headgear and a new humidifier tank
People will have different recommendations. In any case, collect all the new supplies this first year. I personally recommend having TWO backups of everything. From there, you can determine your needs for future.

My bro went two years with the original humidifier tank and then two were cracked in one year. I'm still on my original humdifier bin and it's over 3 years.
Thanks for the heads up!

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Barbee
Posts: 210
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:07 pm

Re: My follow up visit

Post by Barbee » Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:27 pm

Cryssied wrote:
Fri Mar 02, 2018 5:23 pm
Sounds like you're getting great numbers! I wish my first sleep doc had been so thorough as yours is! I ended up with a new one because my insurance changed and I'm glad I did! I'm also pretty new to this gig, and it seems to be a bit overwhelming at times.
I really like this group of Drs.

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Hopeful50
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Location: Cupertino, CA

Re: My follow up visit

Post by Hopeful50 » Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:41 pm

prodigyplace wrote:
Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:13 pm
Be sure to keep track of those rent to own payments especially if there is a copay. My DME tried to bill me after the 10 months were complete. I had to call and get the bill canceled.
If you're on Medicare, or if your insurance company follows Medicare guidelines, your rental period will be 13 months.

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prodigyplace
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Location: Central Virginia

Re: My follow up visit

Post by prodigyplace » Sat Mar 03, 2018 7:52 pm

Hopeful50 wrote:
Sat Mar 03, 2018 6:41 pm
prodigyplace wrote:
Fri Mar 02, 2018 7:13 pm
Be sure to keep track of those rent to own payments especially if there is a copay. My DME tried to bill me after the 10 months were complete. I had to call and get the bill canceled.
If you're on Medicare, or if your insurance company follows Medicare guidelines, your rental period will be 13 months.
Ok. Mine is Anthem and it was my DME that said the rent to own was 10 months. Fortunately I have found a good insurance person at the DME who adjusted my bill accordingly.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: ClimateLineAir Heated Tube & Sleepyhead software
Please visit our sponsor, CPAP.com at https://www.cpap.com/ for all your CPAP needs.