I've been using RemStar C-Flex and Fisher-Paykel Oracle for better than 6000 hours ..... "seems" to be doing fine FOR ME ....
Reason I say "seems" is that not once in several years has the DME come to check the card or machine .... when I asked if I needed to bring either the card OR the machine into their office I was told it wasn't necessary.
I've read that the pressure for the Oracle doesn't need to be as high as for the normal face type masks .... the DME has NO idea and said they couldn't adjust pressure without instructions from my Doctor ....
hey .... my Doc is a very good longtime friend and she admits that she knows NOTHING about pressure adjustments ...
She tells me that she has confidence in the DME .... don't know that I share her view ......
That said ... I DO HAVE supreme confidence in my Doc .... she is perhaps the most uptodate physician in town .. constant studying, reading, going to seminars, etc ...... EVERY single speicalist to whom she has refered my family ... in town or out to the big city ... have expressed the same idea .... they surely wish ALL doctors were as intent on learning and keeping up as is she .....
From what I've read here and a few friends who have apnea have told me, it appears that Medicare will require a new sleep study, machine, etc .....
As I enjoy good overall health, thankfully, and basically only have routine lab tests and bi-annual visits to my regulay MD, I really have NO idea what my portion of Medicare demanded procedures would be .... yes, I do have Teacher Retirement supplemental insurance.
OK ... if that is what it takes ...
BUT ... do I really "need" a new study, or can a knowledgeable DME read the card and determine that this one is working fine, or simply needs to have the pressure adjusted?????
I have no driving compuction to have Medicare spend unnecessary dollars which can be better spent on people with more dire problems than have I.
Small rural town here ..... only one Dr who provides sleep study and prescription.... several "independent" DMEs .... both of whom I have heard few good comments .....
Three of my buddies who are on Medicare go to larger towns and are apparently well served and happy...
opinions, comments, advice, replies ......
NEW to Medicare .... old hosehead .... need some information
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Medicare will "pay for" another sleep study, but I am not sure it would be necessary. What I would recommend would be an auto titration study for a few weeks to measure what pressures you are requiring with the oracle mask. THis would let you know what setting would be best for you. Your DR would have to write a script for this, and the DME company should offer this as a free service. In order to change your setting, the DME does need a script from the DR. If the DME company has a good relationship with your DR they should be able to discuss a good setting with your DR.
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