If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
WildMtnHoney
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Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:38 am

If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by WildMtnHoney » Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:57 am

does that mean I can get a backup/travel unit?

Or does that mean they're covering rental costs?

I assume I need to call them to clarify once they open this morning, but was hoping someone here might have experienced something similar.

It's Anthem BC/BS, and I pay $0 for DME (don't hate)

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Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
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herefishy
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Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:24 am

Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by herefishy » Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:13 am

By all means call them, I'm sure it doesn't mean you can get a new unit every month, no matter how good they are.

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WildMtnHoney
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Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by WildMtnHoney » Tue Mar 31, 2015 7:19 am

LOL!

I'm sure it doesn't too! It was just confusing the way it was written, and I *had* to try!

Basically, I have to disregard that part. I get one unit, they cover it fully (yay!) and if I need a travel unit that works on battery only, my dr can send them a pre-auth request and they'll think about it (umm, nice!).

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleephead (whatever version was current as of 3/15)

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TangledHose
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Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by TangledHose » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:23 am

WildMtnHoney wrote:LOL!

I'm sure it doesn't too! It was just confusing the way it was written, and I *had* to try!

Basically, I have to disregard that part. I get one unit, they cover it fully (yay!) and if I need a travel unit that works on battery only, my dr can send them a pre-auth request and they'll think about it (umm, nice!).
"Travel Unit that works on battery only"

Every cpap machine can run on AC or battery,(with the right accessories) there is no such thing as a battery only cpap. Your Airsense machine will operate on a battery with the right DC converter cord, or an inverter.

You'll have an uphill battle getting insurance to pay for a second machine for travel purposes.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Also own F&P Icon Auto for backup and travel; and a Transcend when packing space is limited
Last edited by TangledHose on Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
Link to Sleepyhead:
http://sleepfiles.com/SH2/

WildMtnHoney
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:38 am

Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by WildMtnHoney » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:27 am

Thanks!!

OK, now I just have to read more on how to get MY machine to work with a battery.

I plan on tent camping in June, so I've got some time, at least.

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleephead (whatever version was current as of 3/15)

herefishy
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Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:24 am

Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by herefishy » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:29 am

Yes, 'fraid you'll have to foot the backup. There are a couple of models that are small and designed for battery and traveling - I think the Transcend, maybe, and the new Z1? search on what people have said about these and then look at sources for used ones.

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Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
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TangledHose
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Location: Centennial, CO

Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by TangledHose » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:37 am

WildMtnHoney wrote:Thanks!!

OK, now I just have to read more on how to get MY machine to work with a battery.

I plan on tent camping in June, so I've got some time, at least.
Here is a link to the DC converter for your Airsense (I tried to find it on cpap.com but must not be in stock right now)

http://www.directhomemedical.com/resmed ... Rq9sBhOKK0

Also you might want to look into the end cap that replaces the humidifier tub for the Airsense that allows you to operate the machine without the humidifier tub. If you go to cpap.com and click on your machine and then click on the upper right tab that says replacement parts you'll find it.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... cover.html

There are many "Camping/travel" threads on the forum that discuss battery operation, a brief search should turn up tons of battery info......it's one of the more popular discussion topics

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Also own F&P Icon Auto for backup and travel; and a Transcend when packing space is limited
Last edited by TangledHose on Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Link to Sleepyhead:
http://sleepfiles.com/SH2/

WildMtnHoney
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:38 am

Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by WildMtnHoney » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:38 am

TangledHose wrote:There are many "Camping/travel" threads on the forum that discuss battery operation, a brief search should turn up tons of battery info......it's one of the more popular discussion topics
On it!! Thanks again!!

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: AirFit™ P10 For Her Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Sleephead (whatever version was current as of 3/15)

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chunkyfrog
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Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by chunkyfrog » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:49 am

I find the transition between my Autosets and my Devillbiss Intellipap Autoadjust quite acceptable.
Some users have trouble dealing with the tiny travel machines (Transcend, Z1) after riding the cpap "limo".
Check your power supply options and factor in the price, and be warned--some find these machines rather noisy.

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TangledHose
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Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by TangledHose » Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:06 am

chunkyfrog wrote:I find the transition between my Autosets and my Devillbiss Intellipap Autoadjust quite acceptable.
Some users have trouble dealing with the tiny travel machines (Transcend, Z1) after riding the cpap "limo".
Check your power supply options and factor in the price, and be warned--some find these machines rather noisy.
I could not have said that better! That's one wise Froggy

I especially like the term "after riding the cpap limo"

I have used both the Transcend and the Z1 and there is definately an "adaptation curve"', they take some getting used to, and a few bad sleep nights before adjusting, not to mention the expense!

_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Simplus Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Also own F&P Icon Auto for backup and travel; and a Transcend when packing space is limited
Last edited by TangledHose on Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
Link to Sleepyhead:
http://sleepfiles.com/SH2/

herefishy
Posts: 1012
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:24 am

Re: If my insurance letter says 3 units in 3 months...

Post by herefishy » Tue Mar 31, 2015 10:20 am

I would consider a chevy instead of a cadillac for travel and look at something like an s9 Escape, or equivalent. That's what I travel with and it's very acceptable. Just as quiet as the higher priced models and seems to work fine.

_________________
Mask: Mirage Activa™ LT Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: pressure 10-12