About to purchase my first machine... Questions from a noob

[robrdavis]

Hello all.

I registered on this forum a while back when I was first diagnosed with OSA, but due to several factors, the biggest of which was money, I was unable to get a CPAP machine.

With a new job came new insurance and a provider that would cover the cost of the equipment. That lead to new testing and an actual prescription. Unfortunately I lost that job and hence the insurance coverage two weeks ago. However my prescription had already been put through to Apria and they just contacted me with the cost of a complete set-up.

My prescription is for a Remstar Pro with C-flex (9 and 3cm) with a heated humidifier and a ResMed Quattro full face mask.

Apria quoted me a total cost of over $1200. Looking at cpap.com, I can get that same set-up with a couple of extras for less than $800. When I spoke with the rep at Apria, she had mentioned my need to attend an hour and a half long class before receiving the equipment. My guess is this is a "Say hello to your new mechanical friend" pep talk with info on how to maintain it.

Basically my question is two-fold: If I skip the class and order the equipment online, what will I be missing? and: What am I missing that they're charging me over 400 bucks for?

Thanks!

[Wulfman]

Hello all.

I registered on this forum a while back when I was first diagnosed with OSA, but due to several factors, the biggest of which was money, I was unable to get a CPAP machine.

With a new job came new insurance and a provider that would cover the cost of the equipment. That lead to new testing and an actual prescription. Unfortunately I lost that job and hence the insurance coverage two weeks ago. However my prescription had already been put through to Apria and they just contacted me with the cost of a complete set-up.

My prescription is for a Remstar Pro with C-flex (9 and 3cm) with a heated humidifier and a ResMed Quattro full face mask.

Apria quoted me a total cost of over $1200. Looking at cpap.com, I can get that same set-up with a couple of extras for less than $800. When I spoke with the rep at Apria, she had mentioned my need to attend an hour and a half long class before receiving the equipment. My guess is this is a "Say hello to your new mechanical friend" pep talk with info on how to maintain it.

Basically my question is two-fold: If I skip the class and order the equipment online, what will I be missing? and: What am I missing that they're charging me over 400 bucks for?

Thanks!

My answer is "Nothing" to both questions. And, you'll be $400 ahead.
You might ask your insurance provider if they'll reimburse you. It'll save both of you some money.

Den

[engrdad]

robrdavis.... I just got my machine 7 days ago from a local DME (similar to Apria but a smaller). Let me tell you... after hanging out and reviewing the "Our Collective Wisdom" section on this forum for a few days, I knew much more than I ever hoped to learn from the Respiratory Therapist.

Using the CPAP machine is very simple. Set up is much less complicated than a printer... Keep the $400. If you ever have any questions, just ask on this forum and you will get the answer.

[RipVW]

Wow! For $400 you could probably take a college course on CPAP & sleep apnea. I wholeheartely agree that you should skip the class. If you have any questions about how to use your machine, you can get those answers here (for free!).

[sleepycarol]

I have learned more here than from the doctor or the DME. Our treatment is important to us and we take our treatment seriously.

Here you will find answers on you machine, what sleep apnea is, new information as it becomes available, masks and how to get them to work for us, other treatment options, and a whole host of other info.

The DME probably has never used a cpap and for many the bottom line is making them a huge profit.

[annie123]

I concur with the others who have posted replies. The folks here know more than my doc. and the RT's at the DME I have run into! In fact, the information I come in with frightens them both...
Annie

[GeneS]

I agree that if you are able to do your own research on this forum etc. and if money is an issue you can save $400 by bypassing the DME and not lose much if anything. I think that even though we do not always agree with the DME's they are necessary because there are many people who cannot do their own research and support. In their case the DME provides necessary support and value. I do not know if it is $400 worth but considering other medical costs $400 is not surprising. Personally I have chosen to do my own support for a long time. This forum is very helpful.
Good Luck
Gene Sarver

[wabmorgan]

Hello all.



When I spoke with the rep at Apria, she had mentioned my need to attend an hour and a half long class before receiving the equipment. My guess is this is a "Say hello to your new mechanical friend" pep talk with info on how to maintain it.

Oh PLEASE.... my cpap training lasted for maybe 10 minutes in the middle of my living room:

Although, I will say the DME guy did state that was probably the easiest setup he had ever done. (I am very fortunate. I have no other health issues other than OSA.)

I also understood the machine and its purpose before he ever arrived.
(I had already done a lot of research on the internet.)

[LyleHaze]

A local DME may be able to offer support in fitting the mask, and possibly exchanging it if needed to get a good fit. Most online companies cannot offer that support, and most do not exchange masks.

Because of that, it is _possible_ that you might get better support from a local DME.

Remember, I said _possible_ not _likely_.

My local DME gave me nothing but problems, so I went online, and I have been extremely happy that I did. I can't exchange masks, but I CAN get whatever I need without the BS that often gets pushed back at an educated customer.

Good Luck,
LyleHaze

[sleepie]

rob,,,save the 400---you will need it to find the right mask-a cover for your hose and probably some other things to make it as pleasant as possible----good luck -pat

[Guest]

Hi Robr,

Save your hard earn money $400...got to the yellow lights bulb on the Our Collective Wisdom and read lots in this forum and ask questions. You are in the right place and nothing is impossible...many here will help you here. You might want to post your sleep study report etc for opinion. Good Luck.

Welcome and happy new year.

Mckooi

[Roadie]

I will also chime in and say that you should just get started with the on-line options that are available to you.

A good local DME is worth spending money on, but unfortunately that is probably not what you are looking at.

If you have already "spent" the $400 mentally and don't need it to pay other bills you could apply it toward...

A better machine
A backup machine
A different style spare mask
A longer hose
A hose cover

Sure, your $400 won't get all of the items on the list above, but it will get you some of them. Your situation with your insurance company is unfortunate, but it forces you in to some options. If your insurance company was going to pay for everything, I would just go that way, but that is not your case. You are a cash buyer, it's your cash, buy wisely.

For me, I have insurance, but my company would not pay for a new machine until my old one completely died. My old machine was inappropriate for my needs, but they did not care. I was forced to either continue to use the large machine or be a cash buyer for a smaller machine that would travel better. I now have all of the items on the list above. Unfortunately I paid out of pocket, but in my opinion it was money well spent compared with my old situation.

You need to decide.

Good Luck,

Roadie

[wolftracker]

hi,

I took the apria class ... do you really want to know what i learned there...
OK i will share it with you.

First the class started 45 minutes late because the tech was out
to lunch.

Then we spent about 45 minutes filling out 10 forms for apria to
get paid ...

then we put the filters into the machine and hooked up the humidifiers...

then we got to try on the two masks apria offered ... and had to
pick from those two ... of course i had a rx for a mask they did not have
and had to wait three weeks to get that mask ...

then they told us to come back in a year so they could check the
machines ....

there were 10 of us there and we all said what a waste of time

so you decide ... is it worth the 400 dollars ...
i am ordering a backup machine from cpap.com soon

save your money ... the ppl here know more about cpap then
the tech at apria ... imo

my .02
wolf

[RipVW]

Amazing! Thanks for sharing the training class curriculum with us--good to know that they had you fill out the claim forms!

[robrdavis]

Thank you all for your replies. I guess what I was looking for was justification to the decision that I'd already made. Apparently I was looking in the right place.

The $800 cost that I'd mentioned included a hose cover and the Hose Buddy Suspension System, both of which just made sense.

I have read a lot here in the forums already and when I first visited my new doctor, he was surprised at how much I already knew. He even stated that I was his easiest new patient that he can ever remember having (he's been practicing for 25 years). Chalk that up to a the great resource that this forum is.

Wolftracker, thanks for the "class". Does this mean that I need to fill out forms and send YOU $400?