Newly diagnosed - need advice on buying machine

Hello all-

I was just recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea so my journey begins. I am looking forward to the help this forum will provide me! This whole thing is new to me and somewhat scary, so I hope to get some support and help here. Thanks in advance.

My first question is about getting my CPAP machine. I have a high-deductible ($5000) health insurance policy with Blue Cross Illinois. So it looks like I will be paying for this machine out of my HSA account. Below are my questions-

1. It looks to me like most of the brick and mortar medical equipment providers really specialize in working with either Medicare patients or ones with insurance that will help pay the bill. And it looks like most of them just lease/rent machines? Compared to what I see online - I assume if I use them my costs will be substantially higher? I have talked this over with my doc and he doesn't have any problem with me buying my own machine online.
2. What are the most reputable online sources for machines?
3. What are the top 2-3 machines I should be looking at? I don't mind paying more for a more advanced/newer model machine.
4. Is it difficult buying masks online since I can't try them out?

Thanks-

Doug

this forums sponsor is a good place to start. Look for 30 day trial offers re the masks.

suggest resmed or resperionics. you want data capable no matter what. some will depend on what you are prescribed. there is auto CPAP, BiLevel, and ASV machines with VERY different pricing. really look at auto verses BiLevel, if you are going to buy out of pocket you really want to get the one you will use. I have BiLevel because I could not tolerate the Auto CPAP. BiLevel is about 2x the cost of auto.

select a machine you would want for regular and ASV so when you hear from your doctor what TYPE of machine he is saying you should use you can tell him what model of that type you want. ASV is a very special machine and quite expensive, few need it, but if you do you really want it.

Look at cpap.com for much information, search for info about machine types and what is a "brick" or not, read about the difference between Resmed and Resperionics

You can have the doctor write a more general prescription like auto adjusting CPAP of choice, instead of the exact model like Resmed Airsense A10 Auto. The you can get any manufacturers machine.

Not sure how HSA work so don't know if you can purchase from just anyone
I have several new and used :

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5361399130.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/5365353009.html

HSA is my health savings account. It allows me to pay for medical expenses with pre-tax $$. But it has to be spent at a provider. Not something from Craigslist.

Doug:

First things first:

Have you had a titration study to determine pressures, etc.? If so, get a copy for your records.
If the study does not indicate the need for a specialized machine like an ASV machine, then consider getting an auto BiPap machine as it will be able to provide whatever combination of inhale/exhale pressures your doctor prescribes as well as an extended pressure range in case you need it later.

In the Respironics line, DreamStation BiPAP Auto or
___________________ 760 Auto BiPap (an older model and a lower cost if available)
in the ResMed line, AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel or,
_________________S9 VPAP™ Auto BiLevel Machine (an older model but still available at lower cost)

These run about $1700+-

If cost is an issue and you don't need pressures above 20 cmH2O and there was no indication in the titration study that a bi-level machine was required, then the Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP or the ResMed equivalent is an auto adjusting machine that provides a single, auto adjusting pressure in the $600 range.

In any event, first pick the machine and then get the doctor to write the scrip to specify it. Keep the original and send a copy to the online DME of your choice. CPAP.COM is a good choice but there are others. Price shopping is always a good idea.

JDS74-

I started this process with a 3 night home sleep study. Blue Cross insurance requires a home study first. Over the three nights I had a total of 429 apneas. My average 3% AHI was 31.1. 4% AHI was 25.1. So my diagnoses was severe obstructive sleep apnea.

I then had a one night study at a regular sleep clinic. This was to use a CPAP machine. I am still waiting for those results. I tried both a nasal pillow and a FFM. I liked the nasal pillow but had a problem with my mouth dropping open so they had me try a chin strap. This helped. I also tried the FFM but they could not get it to work without leaking. I have a facial goatee. So we gave up on that and went back to the nasal pillow. I didn't sleep very well all night, but am still waiting to see the results.

So I do not know what kind of machine they will recommend. Should have the results this week.

When I had a high deductible policy and HSA, I used CPAP.com. They do provide insurance claim forms, receipts and codes for filing out of network. They are a licensed DME and should be acceptable to allow you to be reimbursed from your HSA.

There are DME providers I know nothing about that are currently selling through the Amazon sales platform. The Philips Resprionics System One machines have recently been discontinued for the DreamStation series. This has resulted in prices of the PRS1 Auto (Model 560) being priced around $400 on Amazon. You should contact the sellers to be sure they are authorized resellers and qualified for your HSA reimbursement.

Many other online providers have DME licensing and it's worth a search. Contact them before buying and get their best price. All sellers are subject to the Minimum Advertised Price restrictions from the manufacturer. They may quote you a lower price in person than they are able to advertise openly...true for CPAP.com as well.