You don't necessarily need the download software. Often times all you have to do is write a letter to the insurance company saying how often you wear the machine and how long each night you wear it. You can also include information on if you are sleeping better, snoring or feeling better during the ...

Codeine can potentially relax the airway, therefore increasing the number of events a person may have or the pressure required to alleviate these events. Therefore if your higher pressure setting is usually 14, when you use the med you may require 15 at times to resolve your apneas. Just an example....

Just a reminder... Respironics is who created the word Bipap . (bipap is actually trademarked by them because a "bipap" by any other company is called a bi-level) Respironics being the Godfathers of bipap are going to push bipap as a secondary to standard cpap . DME's get higher reimbursement and th...

Ok, so one of the sleep labs we deal with is involved in a clinical study and needed volunteers to participate. So of course I volunteered. It consists of keeping a sleep diary, having three office visits and spending five nights in the sleep lab. You heard me right...FIVE NIGHTS. Three in a row the...

You've got a good point! I will leave that mantra for those other dme's....

The acclaim 2 is a Fisher Paykel mask and they later replaced it with the HC405 and the HC407. If a dme gave you the acclaim please tell them to take it back...they knew it was crap when they gave it to you. If you chose it yourself...well then how would you have known? I'm curious to see what fixes...

Speaking from personal experience... I have worked with too many fireman to "dig" them. But of course firemen are pretty cool guys. I just could never see myself as a "firewoman". Anyway, I'll take the partial credit. As I always say... "It's all about saving lives and spreading sunshine!!" MelMel

Hi Michael M Just a quick note... The whistling on the ResMed Ultra Full Face mask is a manufacturer defect. It can be corrected by replacing the swivel of the mask I believe. We had about six patients who experienced the same problems where I work and ResMed said it was a problem on their end. Have...

Hi Texas, A pressure of 20??? I don't know why they would even consider a straight cpap . I think a bilevel will make things much more manageable for you. It will still take a good bit of adjusting to however. You definitely need some major humidity also. For some people at higher pressures they are...

Hi Janelle, It is often called balance billing. For example, even though the allowable by the insurance is the same for the auto as it is for the standard cpap , the dme will still charge more for the auto than the "straight" cpap . Unfortunately the patient ends up paying the difference. That is th...

Hi Liam , You are right. Something like the swift or the Breeze nasal pillows it probably wouldn't matter as much. But any nasal or full face mask I would say it will make a big difference. When the machine is off there is really no way to tell if there will be leaks or not. Same thing when it comes...

DME Quickie #2 Why do they charge for the headgear???? Because they can....! Billing codes. When the mask is billed to the insurance 1 mask = 3 separate billing codes. You can thank the government for that. There is not one code to bill for the mask including the headgear. It is basically broken dow...

Really interesting article... Thanks for posting

MM

You don't have to have the machine on to put your mask on. But you should fit the mask while the machine is on. In other words if you are adjusting/readjusting the mask, do it while it is running and preferrably at its full pressure.

MelMel

The machines can sometimes be very sensitive to mask leaks. I think your dme was half right. It is always best to fit your cpap mask while it is on and at its full pressure. So if you use a ramp or have a settling time then make sure to fit the mask while on its highest pressure. If you have an auto...