Help a newbie, Is a $720 CPAP necessary?

[Heisenberg437]

Hello all,

I'm 29 years old and was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea after doing a 2 night home sleep study. My doctor's office called and said that I would be getting a call from another company to set up and receive my CPAP. They didn't mention going over any results or how bad/good my sleep study was. The CPAP company called me to set up an appointment and said my doctor prescribed the Resmed AirSense 10 which will cost me $720 (with insurance) not including the cost of mask once I pick out the one I want.

So is the AirSense 10 worth the price? What about a refurbished model? I have found some for $370. Would it be more trouble than its worth to buy a refurbished model and set the pressures myself?

Thanks in advance!

-Benny

[Okie bipap]

Get a copy of your sleep study and the prescription. If your copay is 720, you can buy new machines for less money. There are several on line companies selling machines. You can set the machine to the proper pressure your self. The best machine to get is one that gives full data and is adjustable. Either the Resmed Air Sense 10 auto or the new Phillips Dream Station auto would do quite nicely. People here will help you get your apnea under control.

[BlackSpinner]

Brand new - no insurance it is $883 at our host.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... idair.html

You can try second wind .com - very reputable reconditioned machines.

Don't forget you need a mask and tubing too.

There is no reason not to buy your first mask at the DME you were sent to.

I would also CALL your insurance for details as to who is in network, what they really cover. If a DME sales person says it is raining outside, go out side and check very carefully.

[LSAT]

Airsense 10 is the bottom of the line....You should get the Airsense 10 AUTOSET that Black Spinner recommended. If you would accept a low hour used machine, (with warranty).go to secondwindcpsp.com and look at the model mentioned or an S9 Autoset. You need a machine that will supply data so you can monitor your therapy without running to the doctor often.

[Heisenberg437]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I definitely feel much better knowing I have other options. I called my Doctor's office this morning and forwarded them the link from secondwindcpap.com. They said they would see what the doctor says. I also requested a copy of my sleep study results. I will be contacting my insurance company as well to see if they are able to help at all.

Thanks again!

-Benny

[OkyDoky]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I definitely feel much better knowing I have other options. I called my Doctor's office this morning and forwarded them the link from secondwindcpap.com. They said they would see what the doctor says. I also requested a copy of my sleep study results. I will be contacting my insurance company as well to see if they are able to help at all.

Thanks again!

-Benny

If you go through your insurance you will have to use DME providers that they approve. Ask them for a list of providers. The above suggestions were where you can buy yourself. Although I don't believe Secondwindcpap.com requires a written prescription, other online providers will. You need to get a copy of your prescription in addition to your sleep study.
Just because you decide to buy a machine outside of your insurance, you can still go through a DME and get your supplies. You have to look at it from all angles to determine what is most cost effective for you.

[Heisenberg437]

Thank you all so much for the replies! I definitely feel much better knowing I have other options. I called my Doctor's office this morning and forwarded them the link from secondwindcpap.com. They said they would see what the doctor says. I also requested a copy of my sleep study results. I will be contacting my insurance company as well to see if they are able to help at all.

Thanks again!

-Benny

If you go through your insurance you will have to use DME providers that they approve. Ask them for a list of providers. The above suggestions were where you can buy yourself. Although I don't believe Secondwindcpap.com requires a written prescription, other online providers will. You need to get a copy of your prescription in addition to your sleep study.
Just because you decide to buy a machine outside of your insurance, you can still go through a DME and get your supplies. You have to look at it from all angles to determine what is most cost effective for you.

My insurance gave me a list of 5 providers to call. I called the first one (Apria) and it seems like big headache to get a final price. They said their price is $2800 and they would have to submit it to my insurance in order for me to get my final price. I think I like the $599 from secondwind. I will wait to see what my Doctor says. I will definitely still go through the DME for my mask and other parts. Thank you!!!

[biz64]

I have a brand new Dreamstation Auto cpap with zero hours available if you're interested. Comes with everything, including a mask (Dreamwear or other if I have it) for $400 shipped.

[Cardsfan]

$595 for Resmed S9 Autoset for her at https://www.cpap.com. If you don't mind it being pink. Brand new, great machine, 2 yr warranty.

[AstralSurfer11]

I just got a brand new ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset on craigslist for $300. I think there's good deals out there if you look for them.

[Guest]

So is the AirSense 10 worth the price? What about a refurbished model? I have found some for $370. Would it be more trouble than its worth to buy a refurbished model and set the pressures myself?

There are certainly many ways to do this. To do it w/o DME you will have to search, read, and learn about the diff makes & models of cpaps.
They are like cars - they ALL are the same color and look alike but have diff features, mainly you want full data collection to understand and determine how you nite/therapy is progressing not just hours of use that some offer.

Getting the cpap elsewhere can save money and grief for sure but getting a mask from the DME can help get the right size, fit, and be sure to ask about their mask replacement policy.

The mask makers offer a 30 day window where you can replace any mask that is not working for you. ALL mask makers offer this policy - tho some DMEs don't like to let patients know about it. All they have to do is some paperwork. Some will let you keep the old mask since they can't do anything with it. It is most helpful to have more than one mask since if/when there is a problem you don't want to wait a week or even a day or an hour for a replacement.

You are in the right place to learn how to do this all but it is a steep learning curve and will take time and reading; but it is ALL here in this forum.

I just got a brand new ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset on craigslist for $300. I think there's good deals out there if you look for them.

And you can do this too if you put in the time and effort. Check in the Health and Beauty section of Craigslist in your area. Just beware there are some ripoffs there too so you have to know your models. Compare the prices to cpap dot com or secondwind.

[bwexler]

A good quality auto CPAP is necessary.
The price you pay varies depending on your insurance coverage or lack of, and how prudent a shopper you are.
Read th sticky posts at the top of the forum and determine the machine you want. Now check with your insurance company to determine your cost through an authorized DME. This is not easy. Apria also known as Crapria has already shown you the run around that is common with DMES. I like to avoid Crapria.
Now shop online and secondwind and Craigslist. Armed with personal knowledge choose the option that is best for you.

[Heisenberg437]

My Dr finally got back to me with my sleep study results and prescription.

2 night home sleep study. 11.4 hours of sleep measured.
Slept supine 77.1% of the time

Overall AHI: 5
Overall RDI: 12
% time <90% Sp02: 0.1%
Mean Sp02: 95.9%
% time snoring >30 dB: 13.0%

Dr is recommending to be set on Auto pressures 5-10
I will most likely purchase a refurbished model. Based on my results, should I still go with the ReSMed AirSense 10 Autoset? Or would a different model suit me fine?

Thanks,
Benny

[Pugsy]

I would still target either the ResMed Airsense 10 AutoSet or the slightly older prior model in the S9 AutoSet model if it were me. Either that or the equivalent machine in the Respironics brand.

Be careful with brand and model names. ResMed makes an auto machine that doesn't gather any data and you are going to need and want data to make sure your therapy is working effectively.
The above models are full data. There are some cheaper brands that are auto adjusting and offer some data but the software is hard to obtain and difficult to use and the data collected isn't as comprehensive.

With the ResMed or Respironics brands software is easy to obtain and it's free and reasonably easy to manage.

All in all I would still target ResMed if it were me with your history. The pressure settings are just a starting point guess and if you end up needing more pressure I think that the ResMed form of exhale relief might be a little easier for someone. I have used (and currently own) both brands but I normally suggest ResMed for newbies in these sort of situations unless money is really really tight.

[OkyDoky]

If money is a consideration, PM Grayghost4. He is a trusted member that I, and several others, have bought a machine from. He sometimes has new machines at a great price. I believe he recently posted a ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset.