Living abroad part-time
Living abroad part-time
I was just diagnosed so I'm new to this and don't have a machine yet. My question relates to Medicare coverage and the compliance period. I live in the US, but spend months at a time in Brazil, planning to start a 3 month Brazil visit in about 2 months so I won't be here at the end of the 90 day compliance period. I gather the machine's SD card is used for the compliance verification, and would be verified by my doctor. What are the Medicare ramifications of this and options?
- ChicagoGranny
- Posts: 14855
- Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:43 pm
- Location: USA
Re: Living abroad part-time
You need to ask your doctor and DME if they will work with you on this.
If you get a ResMed machine, compliance data will only be uploaded in the country where the machine was sold. This is probably the same for other CPAP machine companies.
If you get a ResMed machine, compliance data will only be uploaded in the country where the machine was sold. This is probably the same for other CPAP machine companies.
Last edited by ChicagoGranny on Thu Apr 11, 2024 12:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Living abroad part-time
Actually these are the Medicare compliance requirements.
1...must have a face to face evaluation sometime between meeting the compliance usage requirement and 90 days after getting the machine.
2...Medicare wants a 30 day consecutive night period, within that first 90 days, where you use the machine at LEAST 4 hours a night for 70% of those 30 nights. So it is entirely possible you could meet the compliance requirements prior to your trip if you can get the machine soon enough and meet the 30 day/70% usage of at least 4 hours and then see the doctor before you leave.
Medicare doesn't have a 90 day usage requirement other than the face to face with the doctor proving it's working and needed and you will continue to use the machine.
It's actually a 21 nights out of 30 consecutive nights that Medicare requires the at least 4 hours usage.
The 30 nights thing can be met at anytime during the first 90 days.
Example...start using the machine for at least 4 hours the very first night and continue for 20 more nights and you will have met the requirements for Medicare within the first 30 days of getting the machine.
1...must have a face to face evaluation sometime between meeting the compliance usage requirement and 90 days after getting the machine.
2...Medicare wants a 30 day consecutive night period, within that first 90 days, where you use the machine at LEAST 4 hours a night for 70% of those 30 nights. So it is entirely possible you could meet the compliance requirements prior to your trip if you can get the machine soon enough and meet the 30 day/70% usage of at least 4 hours and then see the doctor before you leave.
Medicare doesn't have a 90 day usage requirement other than the face to face with the doctor proving it's working and needed and you will continue to use the machine.
It's actually a 21 nights out of 30 consecutive nights that Medicare requires the at least 4 hours usage.
The 30 nights thing can be met at anytime during the first 90 days.
Example...start using the machine for at least 4 hours the very first night and continue for 20 more nights and you will have met the requirements for Medicare within the first 30 days of getting the machine.
_________________
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Re: Living abroad part-time
Great ideas, folks. Thanks.
- chunkyfrog
- Posts: 34548
- Joined: Mon Jul 12, 2010 5:10 pm
- Location: Nowhere special--this year in particular.
Re: Living abroad part-time
Your given timetable may be unreasonable.
If so, I recommend you purchase a gently used version of the machine you intend to get.
Secondwindcpap.com is mentioned in this forum often.
That way, when you are local again, your now backup machine (everyone should have one)
will not count against Medicare coverage.
And your accessories will be interchangeable--win, win!
If so, I recommend you purchase a gently used version of the machine you intend to get.
Secondwindcpap.com is mentioned in this forum often.
That way, when you are local again, your now backup machine (everyone should have one)
will not count against Medicare coverage.
And your accessories will be interchangeable--win, win!
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Additional Comments: Airsense 10 Autoset for Her |