Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
petpoor
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 1:33 pm
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by petpoor » Thu Aug 27, 2015 2:14 pm

Greeting all!! I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate cpaptalk.com. I am newly diagnosed with Complex (Central) Sleep Apnea after two (failed) sleep studies. After weeks of fighting with my insurance company (UHC) to try an get affordable equipment, I found these message boards. I saw many of you refer to SecondWindCPAP.com and was able to purchase my equipment (open box) for half the retail price. My insurance carrier was going to 'rent' me equipment for $466.00 per month (for 10 months to prove compliance) which is way too expensive for me to afford.
Thanks to all of you for being here. From what I have read, I know I am not alone, I see many others that had the same kind of negative experiences with their healthcare providers trying to obtain their Durable Medical Equipment (DME). I am happy to report that I was able to purchase the same machine that my doctor prescribed (ResMed AirCurve 10 ASV). It should arrive next week. I am so looking forward to some good quality sleep. I am glad to know that I have a safe place to ask questions and learn about my equipment and my experiences as a new BiPAP/AutoSV user. I look forward to communicating with you all!!

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: New BiPAP user - Waiting for AirCurve 10 ASV to arrive

Janknitz
Posts: 8410
Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 1:05 pm
Location: Northern California

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by Janknitz » Thu Aug 27, 2015 2:43 pm

Was $466 the Medicare approved price or your out of pocket cost AFTER Medicare and UHC paid their portions? It sounds like your own share would have been less--Medicare pays 80% of the allowable amount and UHC should pick up some or all of the remainder of the Medicare allowed amount.

You are still likely better off with purchasing your own (no hassles, no compliance baloney), but just wanted to make sure you understood correctly.
What you need to know before you meet your DME http://tinyurl.com/2arffqx
Taming the Mirage Quattro http://tinyurl.com/2ft3lh8
Swift FX Fitting Guide http://tinyurl.com/22ur9ts
Don't Pay that Upcharge! http://tinyurl.com/2ck48rm

User avatar
petpoor
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 1:33 pm
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by petpoor » Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:10 pm

Janknitz wrote:Was $466 the Medicare approved price or your out of pocket cost AFTER Medicare and UHC paid their portions? It sounds like your own share would have been less--Medicare pays 80% of the allowable amount and UHC should pick up some or all of the remainder of the Medicare allowed amount.

You are still likely better off with purchasing your own (no hassles, no compliance baloney), but just wanted to make sure you understood correctly.
UHC charges $466 per month til deductible is met, then the 20% would kick in. I don't have medicare. So come January, I would start the $466 a month again. Unfortunately, like many Americans, we have very high deductibles making this a financial hardship. I think 10 months of compliance is pretty harsh. I understand they don't want to fork out money for people that don't use the equipment but I think I need more oxygen than 84% at night... lol Trust me.. I will comply!! Fortunately that part of the equation is now gone now that I purchased equipment elsewhere. Healthcare Insurance coverage in the USA is really terrible nowadays, especially when it comes to DME.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: New BiPAP user - Waiting for AirCurve 10 ASV to arrive

User avatar
curems
Posts: 179
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:06 am
Location: New Jersey

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by curems » Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:19 pm

Just wanted to say I love your avatar! How do you like the Amara View? I'm waiting for one that was just ordered.

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PR S1 60 Series Auto CPAP, using SleepyHead software

User avatar
petpoor
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 1:33 pm
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by petpoor » Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:24 pm

curems wrote:Just wanted to say I love your avatar! How do you like the Amara View? I'm waiting for one that was just ordered.
I have not received my equipment yet. I just ordered it yesterday. It should arrive Tuesday and they had to order the Amara View... that should get here Wednesday. I am hoping for some good night sleeps after that!! I will definitely post my experience with the new set up. I am hoping it doesn't take too long to get use to sleeping with ASV...

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: New BiPAP user - Waiting for AirCurve 10 ASV to arrive

User avatar
curems
Posts: 179
Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2015 9:06 am
Location: New Jersey

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by curems » Thu Aug 27, 2015 4:29 pm

petpoor wrote:
I have not received my equipment yet. I just ordered it yesterday. It should arrive Tuesday and they had to order the Amara View... that should get here Wednesday. I am hoping for some good night sleeps after that!! I will definitely post my experience with the new set up. I am hoping it doesn't take too long to get use to sleeping with ASV...
You're in the right place to get all the support you need! I'm less than a month in myself and trying to find a mask that will work for me. The APAP itself is a breeze for me, if I can just find a mask (small face, extremely sensitive, deviated septum, asthma, ...)!

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PR S1 60 Series Auto CPAP, using SleepyHead software

mariejeanne
Posts: 56
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2015 2:36 am

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by mariejeanne » Fri Aug 28, 2015 1:01 pm

What kind of machine costs $4660? I got mine for $430 from cpap.com and I own it! (I also have CA and it's an APAP machine.) geez Louise!

User avatar
Sir NoddinOff
Posts: 4190
Joined: Mon May 14, 2012 5:30 pm
Location: California

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by Sir NoddinOff » Fri Aug 28, 2015 6:51 pm

mariejeanne wrote:What kind of machine costs $4660? I got mine for $430 from cpap.com and I own it! (I also have CA and it's an APAP machine.) geez Louise!
re: insurance pricing. BiPAPS and ASVs... plus Trilogys and a few others. Not uncommon.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleepyhead software v.0.9.8.1 Open GL and Encore Pro v2.2.
Last edited by Sir NoddinOff on Tue Sep 01, 2015 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
I like my ResMed AirFit F10 FFM - reasonably low leaks for my ASV therapy. I'm currently using a PR S1 AutoSV 960P Advanced. I also keep a ResMed S9 Adapt as backup. I use a heated Hibernite hose. Still rockin' with Win 7 by using GWX to stop Win 10.

yaconsult
Posts: 1099
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2014 10:43 pm
Location: "Silicon Valley", CA

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by yaconsult » Fri Aug 28, 2015 10:50 pm

Congratulations! We are always happy to hear about people reading here before getting their equipment and getting a good machine as a result. It's so much better than being stuck with a brick and then trying to get it changed later.

I hope you get your stuff soon and it works out well for you. Ask for advice or any questions you have once you get started. You might go ahead and install the wonderful, free sleephead software - see Pugsy's great posts at the top of the forum. Wait - is the ASV supported? If not, we'll need to get you a copy of the manufacturer software, but sleepyhead is better - if it's an option.

_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: January 2015 Sleep Study Results: Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI): 80.2, Sleepyhead

User avatar
petpoor
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 1:33 pm
Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Re: Newbie here! Would like to thank cpaptalk for being here!

Post by petpoor » Fri Sep 04, 2015 3:24 pm

I received my equipment Wednesday and have used it for the past two nights... still need some getting used to it. ResMed AirCurve 10 ASV with Amara View mask. Having some trouble with the mask. Hoping I can make it work tho. It doesn't seem to be sealing well around my mouth. I think it's because of frown lines so close to the seal of the mask.
I'll give it a little time and see. Thanks to all that have replied to my post!

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Amara View Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: New BiPAP user - Waiting for AirCurve 10 ASV to arrive