Search found 8466 matches

by Janknitz
Thu Oct 31, 2024 4:46 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Congestion and Cough
Replies: 3
Views: 186

Re: Congestion and Cough

Am I reading correctly that the congestion and cough came after you UPPED the humidity? Perhaps that's what's irritating things, even if it does seem to feel more comforting. Sometimes there is a "sweet spot" between too little and too much humidity. You might try going down incrementally and see if...
by Janknitz
Tue Oct 15, 2024 1:07 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Has anyone noticed over the past few years that the diameter of CPap hoses has been cut in half?
Replies: 13
Views: 5150

Re: Has anyone noticed over the past few years that the diameter of CPap hoses has been cut in half?

Aretino wrote:
Wed Oct 09, 2024 6:57 am
The flow is also reduced at the mask.
Are you claiming that not enough air is flowing tothe mask, or the CO2 vent is not flowing as much because of a smaller diameter hose???
by Janknitz
Wed Oct 09, 2024 4:05 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Choking on CPAP ,snorring without it
Replies: 3
Views: 2336

Re: Choking on CPAP ,snorring without it

Waking up "choking" is a classic sign of reflux. Stomach acid is getting into your airway, causing the choking sensation. That's NOT the same as an obstructed airway, although the two often go hand in hand. The struggle to breathe during an apnea event can cause a pressure gradient that pulls stomac...
by Janknitz
Wed Oct 02, 2024 6:03 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Why dooes a DME need full copy of sleep study to sell me supplies?
Replies: 12
Views: 9391

Re: Why dooes a DME need full copy of sleep study to sell me supplies?

This is about reimbursement. The DME doesn't want to provide the supplies and then find out that you don't meet the qualifications for insurance coverage of these supplies. They can't resell a used filter, mask, or hose (or machine, really). You have a right to your medical records, and you should b...
by Janknitz
Fri Sep 27, 2024 11:54 am
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: New member re Online Sleep Doctor
Replies: 4
Views: 3505

Re: New member re Online Sleep Doctor

Could you please clarify by answering the questions Ozij asks? The reason we are confused is that it appears your sister has the prescription for the ASV and it is a current prescription. So it's unclear #1 why the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider would say "you don't need it" (the DME is NO...
by Janknitz
Tue Sep 24, 2024 1:24 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?
Replies: 15
Views: 7476

Re: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?

I do already have a backup machine, an AS10 that I bought (LSAT) out of pocket, but if my DME supplied CPAP failed before the 5 year replacement time I would want it repaired or replaced so I still have two working CPAP's. I just wasn't sure who would bear the cost since I own it, whether it would ...
by Janknitz
Sun Sep 22, 2024 5:41 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?
Replies: 15
Views: 7476

Re: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?

Medicare summary shown below for CPAP supplies from DME. Mask and headgear assembled (F&P Vitera full face) in same package are billed separately. Other supplies are for a Respironics DS2. The supplied filters from the DME are Sunset brand and not Respironics. My Medicare supplemental insurance cov...
by Janknitz
Fri Sep 20, 2024 1:10 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?
Replies: 15
Views: 7476

Re: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?

I wonder how the 5 year built-in service plan with Medicare balances out with the initial profit of cheaper machines versus reliability of resmed equipment. Perhaps repair statistics can influence sales? One can hope. The Respironics machine I had first (PRSI) was a dog. The known manufacturer's de...
by Janknitz
Fri Sep 20, 2024 12:30 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?
Replies: 15
Views: 7476

Re: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?

I am sure they would charge their normal inflated prices. For supplies it is cheaper for me to buy them as needed than pay the 20% insurance copay of the DME prices. This has nothing to do with what DME's charge. The reimbursement amount is set by Medicare regardless of what the DME wants to charge...
by Janknitz
Thu Sep 19, 2024 2:36 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?
Replies: 15
Views: 7476

Re: CPAP Repair Cost - Me or Medicare?

I believe that part of the reason the DME gets paid more for the capitated rate of the CPAP machine than the retail price is that they have to provide service and repair for 5 years. So if something does go wrong, contact the DME. Medicare only covers replacement after you’ve reached the estimated l...
by Janknitz
Tue Sep 03, 2024 1:05 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: CPAP while sick with the cold or flu
Replies: 4
Views: 2468

Re: CPAP while sick with the cold or flu

The ONLY way I can sleep when I'm sick is with CPAP. It really calms my coughing. The humidity and warmth (I usually don't use the humidifier) seem to help. I'm very grateful for CPAP, I remember before CPAP having to sit up in a recliner to breathe and not sleeping for DAYS. Those gooey nights are ...
by Janknitz
Mon Sep 02, 2024 2:59 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Cervical collar works to keep jaw shut, but....
Replies: 11
Views: 6465

Re: Cervical collar works to keep jaw shut, but....

Here's the bottom line after trial and error: the problem is neither keeping the jaw or lips shut. It is keeping my tongue from relaxing and falling back. Once I lose the vacuum my tongue creates by keeping it pressed against my teeth, the air pressure from the CPAP pushes up into my mouth and forc...
by Janknitz
Mon Aug 26, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Cervical collar works to keep jaw shut, but....
Replies: 11
Views: 6465

Re: Cervical collar works to keep jaw shut, but....

A couple of things to try: I never tried it, but some people used to use denture adhesive on their lips. Along the same lines, I found waxy chapstick had just enough stickiness to work for me in the beginning. Try a single piece of vertical tape that doesn't cover your entire mouth, but just keeps t...
by Janknitz
Fri Aug 23, 2024 2:31 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: Problemen Full mask
Replies: 4
Views: 3008

Re: Problemen Full mask

Joke, can you describe "the top of your nostril"? It may not have translated well. Is it the top of your nose that is sensitive or the tip by the nares? You might look at the Philips Respironics Dreamwear mask which sits below the nostrils. It's a soft silicone cradle and there's nothing hard touchi...
by Janknitz
Fri Aug 16, 2024 4:24 pm
Forum: CPAP and Sleep Apnea Message Board
Topic: DME charging for Brevida exhalation port
Replies: 4
Views: 7080

Re: DME charging for Brevida exhalation port

They charged you for the humidifier on your CPAP, too, even though it's integrated into the unit and cannot be removed.