Sleep Test Cost?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:18 pm

With that age on your machine it could be faulty, you could take it to the DME and have it tested, it's supposed to be tested every six months, so Lincare just told me, at 11 months of age, I told them I tested my own.... Jim

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 8:47 pm

Good suggestions on getting your machine tested and getting a loaner APAP at a reasonable rate for a month to titrate yourself and see if you are feeling better. Get the renting DME to read the card and you will have your aprox pressure range. If the machine is fine adjust it to the new titration range.

BUT... If the machine is faulty and you need a new one without insurance buy it here, not at the local DME unless they match the prices at CPAP.com.

Your old prescription should be good. Do you have it? Can you get a copy either from the old doc or the DME guy you have been dealing with? It is your right to have your prescription.

If you have a bipap prescription you can get an auto bipap or regular bipap from Cpap.com with what you already have (doesn't need to say auto so you don't have to argue with the doc). If you want a new prescription and the doc is willing to write another for what you have (Hey doc, my machine is dying can I have a new prescription, I may want to buy it somewhere other than the place where I got my old one..) don't need to fight for it to say auto unless you are going to buy from a local (check the prices first).
While you are at it get a copy of your sleep study from back then.

Only reason you need a current sleep study is for insurance purposes and you don't have that.

Reading the prescription section of CPAP.com to get a CPAP or Auto CPAP the prescription needs to say CPAP or more. I suspect if you have a bipap yours says that. So to buy a CPAP or APAP you may need a different prescription. BUT if they put you on bipap last time you probably need that not CPAP.

Now. You say that you aren't informed. If you want to become "informed" great, if not I suggest an auto machine if you need to buy a new one.

If you can get a short reasonable rental you can figure your aproximate range and the auto will take care of the rest.

MS69 · Post by **MS69** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:13 pm

I've been saying "Thanks" quite a bit on this board but I mean it as sincerely as possible. Mission for tomorrow is find a rental APAP and see about copies of the original 'script and sleep test. The rental idea is very appealing, this was all triggered by a nice weight loss and I hope if I continue I can be hose-free in the near future.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:33 pm

Yout orgional sleep test is useless it's too far out of date. The odds of a prescription without a new sleep study are not good.

And the cost of a rental will pay for a new unit in about six months, my Pro 2 CPAP rental is $110 per month for 15 months, $1650, and they aren't sire if it's mine after the rental, not that I care much. Jim

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jeepdoctor · Post by **jeepdoctor** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:30 pm

You might consider obtaining a pulse oximeter and checking for O2 desaturations during sleep. If you aren't desaturating, your therapy has to be pretty much on target. I figured out that a pulse oximeter was a more important first purchase than cpap tracking software, so it was my first purchase. I am picking up my Encore Pro software and reader Tuesday.

And, would you believe it, I am purchasing it from my DME. They quoted the whole shebang for $ 99.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 11:40 pm

Wow - I've never heard of a DME even considering the idea that patients use EncorePro, much less selling it to them.

Maybe they have an old copy of the software and card reader of their own that's outlived its usefulness and they're trying to get rid of it?

Just kidding!

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:50 am

do you have your original Prescription for the machine you now have? They never expire since OSA is a life-long disorder, always good to keep the original and only give the DME the copy.

If your current pressure is well under 20cm, and you had that original script you can order a autopap from cpap.com (I recommend a new M series Remstar Auto w/Cflex and humdifier). That machine will give you your AHI off the display.

The autopap would automatically find your current pressure requirement on the fly (no need for a PSG).

Your Primary doctor should also be able to give you a script for a new machine, then order it on-line, scan the script and fax or email it to cpap.com. The script only needs to say:

Dx: OSA
Rx: CPAP, AutoCPAP w/humidifier and mask

Pressure: Optional (not needed for autopap).

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:22 am

[quote="CollegeGirl"]

Wow - I've never heard of a DME even considering the idea that patients use EncorePro, much less selling it to them.

Maybe they have an old copy of the software and card reader of their own that's outlived its usefulness and they're trying to get rid of it?

Just kidding!

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:27 pm

For alternatives to a sleep test, see the end of this article:
http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/2 ... sleep.html

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:48 pm

Goofproof wrote:Yout orgional sleep test is useless it's too far out of date. The odds of a prescription without a new sleep study are not good.

And the cost of a rental will pay for a new unit in about six months, my Pro 2 CPAP rental is $110 per month for 15 months, $1650, and they aren't sire if it's mine after the rental, not that I care much. Jim

Just as an FYI this isn't exactly accurate.
There will certainly be a great deal of useful information in your previous sleep study. If nothing else it will give you a baseline of information to compare to anything you find out going forward from here.
Also most physicians should be more than willing to write a prescription based on that sleep study. I am going off what you've said about it being about 6-7 years old. That's really not too far out of date that most MDs would be willing to write an rx.

MS69 · Post by **MS69** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 5:53 pm

I talked to a much more helpful DME today. The first company had the winning combination of being expensive and less than helpful. A Bipap Auto will be here tomorrow for a 2 month trial. If I decide to purchase then they'll apply the rental to the final price. No new sleep study or perscription was mentioned and I didnt bring it up. Cant wait to try the new machine. One more thanks to all who were so helpful.

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