Just got diagnosed with Sleep Apnea

[dennism]

The sleep clinic gave me a list of companies to go to who offer a free trial and support to get adjustments right etc. Yet someone with a CPAP already said that the prices they charge are very high (ie $1500 to $2500 for the equipment). Do any members have advice on how I should proceed? ie work with one of these companies or just buy the equipment and try do it all myself with help of the Forum?

Many thanks!

Dennis

[BlackSpinner]

Do you have insurance? If so call them and find out what is covered, who is in network.

[Nick Danger]

It depends on many things, including your insurance, your relationship with your doctor, whether you get lucky and find a good DME company, and how hands on you are comfortable being with your health care. If this isn't going to be fully or partially paid for by insurance, I suggest that you consider getting the equipment (at least the machine and humidifier) online (many people swear by the forum's sponsor CPAP.com; I've had a good experience buying "lightly" used equipment from secondwindcpap.com). You may wish to get the mask from the DME (at least until you know what works best for you), as a good DME will help you find a mask that works for you.

Whether you use the DME or buy online - make sure that you read all the topics under the CPAP Basics sticky post - that can save you from making mistakes that could cost hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars and make it difficult for you to determine whether your therapy is really working (in other words, find out which machines are "bricks" and avoid those to get a detailed data-capable machine).

[dennism]

No insurance but I can afford to pay to solve the problem!

Dennis

[kaiasgram]

No insurance but I can afford to pay to solve the problem!

Dennis

Then definitely check our forum host's website: cpap.com.

[Nick Danger]

STL Mark has a couple of machines for sale that should work for you (as long as you don't need bi-pap/vpap) at really good prices. The 0-hour ResMed S9 autoset with humidifier for $550 is a great deal.

[palerider]

No insurance but I can afford to pay to solve the problem!

Dennis

also check out secondwindcpap.com for lightly used models.

[DonRobbie]

One thing I would say is you may need to try a few masks before you find one that is really comfortable. So you might want to budget/plan for going through a few if you're buying sight unseen.

[sc0ttt]

The sleep clinic gave me a list of companies to go to who offer a free trial and support to get adjustments right etc. Yet someone with a CPAP already said that the prices they charge are very high (ie $1500 to $2500 for the equipment). Do any members have advice on how I should proceed? ie work with one of these companies or just buy the equipment and try do it all myself with help of the Forum?

Many thanks!

Dennis

If you tell the suppliers that you're paying cash, they may give you the same rate they give the insurance companies... otherwise they list ridiculously high prices and then make it look like insurance is giving you a great deal. There's some benefit to speaking with someone directly who can try on different masks and show you how everything fits together, but unfortunately there are some rip off companies as well.

Check out my itemization - the "adjusted price" is about the same as CPAP.com cash purchase:

[Woody]

The first thing is what type machine do you need. Need not want. Most of us here want to have a data capable machine including me but looking at my data
I realy don't have to have one my AHI is between .5 and 6 depending on a lot of things like my mask fit and how much exercise I get. And I will do fairly well with
a plain cpap that you can buy new for about $400 or used for $50 to $200. Yes going to a data capable machine would better but in my case i get fairly good care
with a cheap machine. But depending on your condition you may need a auto cpap, bipap or even more expensive cpap . Now I have an auto cpap and like it but if I had to buy another one out of pocket I would in MY CASE for MY condition probably just buy a plain cpap we sometimes call these a brick.

[BlackSpinner]

You want a data capable machine. You may not be interested in the data right now but in case of problems or changes down the road, the ability to see in detail how your therapy is going is worth the few extra dollars.

You may want to buy the machine from our host and the first masks from your local DME. In theory the extra costs you pay at your local store will get you special hand holding and help. In reality most of that crowd make the stereotype used car salesman look like a lovable, compassionate Disney hero.

[palerider]

but looking at my data I realy don't have to have one my AHI is between .5 and 6

I think you just made the point that someone doing this on their own *needs* a data capable machine. without a data capable machine, you're just flying blind.

[The Choker]

The sleep clinic gave me a list of companies to go to who offer a free trial and support to get adjustments right etc. Yet someone with a CPAP already said that the prices they charge are very high (ie $1500 to $2500 for the equipment). Do any members have advice on how I should proceed? ie work with one of these companies or just buy the equipment and try do it all myself with help of the Forum?

Many thanks!

Dennis

Member Janknitz has a blog you should read - http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

[dennism]

You are all so, so helpful. It is very overwhelming at the start.

Thanks

Dennis