Change of Insurance

[bruce5500]

Hello all, I am fairly new with sleep apnea therapy. I received my Resmed VPAP S about 6 weeks ago and have been using it every night along with a Resmed Liberty full face mask. At my first sleep study, my AHI was 92.6, which of course is severe. Machine settings determined at my titration are high at 20/16 cm H2O. I have been adjusting to my machine and mask fairly well, and have a mask leak rate average of 0.08, AHI average of 2.6, and AI of 0.4, which I believe is super and I feel alot better and more rested.
But now, my employer has had its annual benefits enrollment and my medical insurance is changing on 1/1/2010. Through reading all your suggestions and great advice on therapy, machines, etc., I have learned alot. When I went to my DME to get my first machine, I had a list of those that I would accept, and was fortunate to be given the VPAP S, which was one of those on the list. But now, since I will have to turn in this machine and get a new one, since my current DME is not a provider with my new insurance I have a question. It appears to me that I have improved on my AHI significantly and wonder if I should stay with the same equipment, or is there any advantage to go to the Resmed auto 25 or another machine? The AHI in my first sleep study broke down as: central apneas - 19.5, obstructive apneas - 3.6, mixed apneas - 14.3, hypopneas - 55.1. This seems to indicate I have a bigger problem with central apnea, than obstructive. Sorry this is so long. Any advice would be most appreciated. Thank you.

[desert rider]

Not necessarily on topic, but if I were about to change carriers, I would try to purchase any consumables that they cover (especially a new mask) before this policy runs out. Ask your DME if you're eligible for a mask yet. I'm sure they'd be happy to make the sale if they can.

[bruce5500]

Thanks for the advice. I will look into it.

[leejgbt]

I would ask the new insurance if they would treat your provider as in network this far into the rent to own of this unit. Your DME has already agreed to the price so this should not be an issue for them. The savings from not starting over should be incentive enough fot them to agree.

[bruce5500]

Good idea. At this point in time I don't have an ID or group number with the new insurance, so they won't answer any specific questions yet. But hopefully I will soon. At least before the old one runs out I hope. Thanks for the tip.