Insurance crisis averted - new provider, new CPAP

[AshG]

Two weeks ago, I got a very scary phone call from my CPAP provider. They've been in contract negotiations with Cigna (who I had to switch to in January as part of state plan restructuring) and negotiations fell apart. They weren't going to charge me for the five months I'd used the CPAP this year while they were bickering over terms but I still had to turn the machine back in. Gulp. I have missed one night since I got my machine last June, and the day after was pure hell.

I got a very gracious employee on the phone who found me a new provider and initiated the changeover for me. I picked up my new CPAP today from the new provider and get to turn the old one in on Friday to my original provider.

My new provider (Lincare) also helped me out by switching me from a PR to a Resmed S9. My PR Auto CPAP has been an absolute nightmare the past couple months with constant reboots, shutdowns, and stoppages. I've gone through two machines and three power bricks. Thank goodness that is over.

It's amazing how important these machines quickly become to us... I have chided my father in law and a couple of my friends who have let theirs sit unused for a couple of years - I swear, this machine has changed (and probably saved) my life.

[Pugsy]

They gave you an S9 Escape? Are you aware it offers nothing in the way of meaningful data? It will only show hours of use?
If you are aware of this okay, just wanted to mention it.

[Janknitz]

As Pugsy said, they traded you out from a top of the line Auto machine to the bottom of the barrel Escape which is nothing but a dumb brick blowing air.

And, because they switched brands, they got to sell you a new humidifier too. Did you have to pay for that out of pocket??? Great new provider you have there!

Was an auto prescribed in the first place? If so, take this machine back and insist they gave you the WRONG machine. Insist on an Auto and make sure they don't try to stick you with an Escape Auto.

Unless you don't mind . . .

BTW, there is a documented problem with some of the PR S1's turning themselves off like that. Most DME's will switch your machine out for free because it is a manufacturer's defect and your machine is still under warranty.

[gasp]

Two weeks ago, I got a very scary phone call from my CPAP provider. They've been in contract negotiations with Cigna (who I had to switch to in January as part of state plan restructuring) and negotiations fell apart. They weren't going to charge me for the five months I'd used the CPAP this year while they were bickering over terms but I still had to turn the machine back in. Gulp. I have missed one night since I got my machine last June, and the day after was pure hell.

I got a very gracious employee on the phone who found me a new provider and initiated the changeover for me. I picked up my new CPAP today from the new provider and get to turn the old one in on Friday to my original provider.

My new provider (Lincare) also helped me out by switching me from a PR to a Resmed S9. My PR Auto CPAP has been an absolute nightmare the past couple months with constant reboots, shutdowns, and stoppages. I've gone through two machines and three power bricks. Thank goodness that is over.

It's amazing how important these machines quickly become to us... I have chided my father in law and a couple of my friends who have let theirs sit unused for a couple of years - I swear, this machine has changed (and probably saved) my life.

I agree with the reality of the prior posts, however I am also really glad you have a machine.

Is it a rental? Most insurance companies will not buy a machine outright but pay for 30 to 90 days or such to be certain the machine works for the patient before buying it.

This may give you time to get the assistance of the doctor who wrote your prescription to request a new machine. First, read as much as you can tolerate on this forum and go to the CPAP wiki lightbulb located at the top of this page to form your own opinion. Many, many, here (including me) agree that a data capable machine is the way to go. I wouldn't trade my Respironics M Series AFlex for anything but a newer top of the line data machine.

If you don't think of yourself as being able to install software and download data from your machine I can understand, however many here have the skill and willingness to help you along the way. Being able to read your own data means you know if you are actually getting good therapy.

[rested gal]

If you can get Lincare to swap the ResMed S9 Escape for a ResMed S9 Elite (can use the same humidifier they gave you for the Escape) you'll be able to monitor your own therapy, Ash. I'd try to get that swap done right away.

The Escape and the Elite are the same "CPAP" machine, essentially -- both give "CPAP" treatment. But, the Elite will let you see very useful overnight data about how your therapy is going, right there in the LCD window on the machine itself. No software needed at all, although you can easily obtain the software at no cost if you want to see more treatment detail than the Elite's window gives.

The Escape will show only hours of use...no AHI or leak data.

[gasp]

If you can get Lincare to swap the ResMed S9 Escape for a ResMed S9 Elite (can use the same humidifier they gave you for the Escape) you'll be able to monitor your own therapy, Ash. I'd try to get that swap done right away.

The Escape and the Elite are the same "CPAP" machine, essentially -- both give "CPAP" treatment. But, the Elite will let you see very useful overnight data about how your therapy is going, right there in the LCD window on the machine itself. No software needed at all, although you can easily obtain the software at no cost if you want to see more treatment detail than the Elite's window gives.

The Escape will show only hours of use...no AHI or leak data.

Oh! Such a good idea! Of course. Better to do this if doing it sooner results on them complying versus waiting and reading everything like I suggested and too much time passes and they don't want to swap.

[Janknitz]

Be sure to read http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/2011/0 ... h-a-brick/