Happy Veterans Day! What xPAP equip does the VA supply?

[sleep_quest]

A family member was just discharged from the Marines. He believes he is suffering from sleep apnea but has not had it checked out yet. I'm just wondering what kind of machines the VA would supply to him. Anyone know? I want to make sure he gets the good stuff...

thanks!

[Wulfman...]

A family member was just discharged from the Marines. He believes he is suffering from sleep apnea but has not had it checked out yet. I'm just wondering what kind of machines the VA would supply to him. Anyone know? I want to make sure he gets the good stuff...

thanks!

From all the past threads I've read going back lots of years, they hand out the fully-data-capable machines. Mostly Respironics (now Philips/Respironics). Either the straight pressure "Pro" or "Auto" models. No "bricks" from anything I've seen. If the person needed a Bi-PAP machine, all of those are fully-data-capable.


Den

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[sleep_quest]

Thanks Den, I'm glad to hear that. Now to get into the VA to be seen and diagnosed...

I know that the Gov't is behind on getting him his disability checks; he doesn't expect to see the first of those until May or June and he was discharged in August...it's a good thing he has a good support system otherwise things would be looking ugly about now.

[deerslayer]

Have that Marine contact his local VA Campus & have his primary schedule a sleep study. if he does not have a primary then he needs to fill out a means test. when the VA started me on cpap, they were somewhat ok for followups.... being on this forum fills in all the missing info gap. i still have my original issue equipment
GOOD LUCK !

[sleep_quest]

Thanks for the added information deerslayer. I'll make sure he adds that to his list of things to do. I assume your equipment is data capable like Den said?

On a separate note: are you aware that there are some towns out there that provide financial support to unemployed service members living among them. My Marine registered as a veteran in his state (Massachusetts) and he unexpectedly received a check from the town to help with expenses. He was floored and is so grateful and so am I.

Happy Veterans Day to all that have served.

d

[finallywakingup]

Hi,

I am a physician who works at a VA. We give out Respironics APAP machines in our hospital, but I know that other VAs are giving out Resmeds.

Let me know if there is any way I can help.

[deerslayer]

Thanks for the added information deerslayer. I'll make sure he adds that to his list of things to do. I assume your equipment is data capable like Den said?

On a separate note: are you aware that there are some towns out there that provide financial support to unemployed service members living among them. My Marine registered as a veteran in his state (Massachusetts) and he unexpectedly received a check from the town to help with expenses. He was floored and is so grateful and so am I.

Happy Veterans Day to all that have served.

d

Outstanding sleep_quest , sounds like a great community .
Times have changed for the better since Viet Nam...i was given a VA home loan voucher , but could not implement because the bank said i did not make enough on tax returns .


Thanks Doc for helping a brother !

Thanks to all that have served WE STOOD THE POST

[sleep_quest]

Thank you finallywakingup. The first hurdle is getting him to the VA Hospital in Boston for his sleep issues. He's dealing with other ailments and is overwhelmed right now. Plus there is no commanding officer telling him what to do (if you know what I mean). If he hits a snag I will certainly bend your ear and ask for help!

[Guest]

As mentioned the VA does issue some good equipment tho their mask selection is not impressive at all; mostly older models . It is important to note the VA will accept a sleep study from outside their system, if that is possible. Also you can ask to be put on their cancellation list if the wait is long but now they are supposed to be working on improving that.

Keep in mind the process also seems to vary from VA to VA meaning some require you to bring your equipment in while other contract (or did) a DME to visit and setup the equipment. I have seen some regions that monitor compliance and others that don't seem to care - they issue equipment then you are on your own.

Some of the variations seem to depend on the employees but keep in mind the VA system as a whole seems to be under review and subject to change. A massive task to say the least.

The Boston VA is one of the larger VA's so while they serve many vets they should have the process finely tuned. If he needs help adjusting to using the cpap there may be a support group locally that can help plus this forum.

[sleep_quest]

Thank you all for the information. As usual this forum and it's contributors come through when asked. You are the best.

As mentioned the VA does issue some good equipment tho their mask selection is not impressive at all; mostly older models . It is important to note the VA will accept a sleep study from outside their system, if that is possible. ...

...The Boston VA is one of the larger VA's so while they serve many vets they should have the process finely tuned. If he needs help adjusting to using the cpap there may be a support group locally that can help plus this forum.

I'm assuming an out of system study would also mean an out of pocket payment for that study...is that what you mean by 'if that is possible'?

Perhaps the Veterans can weigh in...my Marine can get health insurance through his new job but feels it is not necessary since he has VA coverage. He's 26, spent 8 years in the Corps and that's all he's known as an adult. With all the issues plaguing the VA, what are your thoughts on getting additional insurance coverage?

[deerslayer]

if it were me, i would go to the administration office at his local VA and ask them for options / means test application ? added insur. ? depends on all whatever co-pay. i always enjoyed going to the Nashville VA campus. our VA was connected literally to Vanderbilt ! Now that i have medicare & AARP i go civilian . your young Marine has entirely different needs . All the Best !

[Guest]

I'm with Deerslayer...

Now that i have medicare & AARP i go civilian . your young Marine has entirely different needs .

I'm assuming an out of system study would also mean an out of pocket payment for that study...is that what you mean by 'if that is possible'?

Most certainly it will but it will give him more choices too.

my Marine can get health insurance though his new job but feels it is not necessary since he has VA coverage.

If he can afford it YES get OHI (Other Health Ins.) - he can still use the VA but there will be a co-pay for each visit that is NOT "Service Connected" so you have to figure out what the costs will be each way. But he can still get a cpap and supplies thru the VA if he chooses. When it comes to surgeries I would prefer something other than the VA- while most are partnered with teaching hospitals they are still in the learning curve.

Perhaps the Veterans can weigh in...

Who do you think has been weighing in?

[sleep_quest]

Perhaps the Veterans can weigh in...

Who do you think has been weighing in?

Roger that!

I'm saluting you, Guest.

Thanks!

[Guest]

Perhaps the Veterans can weigh in...

Who do you think has been weighing in?

Roger that!

I'm saluting you, Guest.

Thanks!

As You Were...

The Best to you and your Marine.

[digitalepiphany]

He needs to be seen for this immediately if he wants the VA to consider this for disability. The VA will consider any new diagnoses as service-connected as long as those diagnoses are made within one year of discharge. He needs to jump on this ASAP. This policy wasn't around when I got out, and the military "lost" my sleep study records, so I'm still fighting them for disability 12 years later. Tell him to get his ass in there posthaste.

Regarding equipment, I was given the Resmed S9 at the Lubbock VA. I also had no problem getting any mask that I wanted. In fact, there was one that I wanted to try (Hans Rudolph) that the VA doesn't normally carry. So, my sleep tech just called the company and asked for samples. I got it in the mail about a week later.

I just switched back to the Dallas VA, and am now having problems with my machine, so I'll find out how good this sleep dept. is pretty soon.