Newbie-My Insurance Won't Cover My Cpap Machine : (

[dog_tired]

Hi,
I am so glad to have found this site. I really appreciate all of the great information that I have read here so far. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and went back again last night to sleep with a mask using a cpap machine. The tech had me sleep through the night very sucessfully and it seems the Respironics EasyLife mask was a winner. I was told I have to wait for my doctor to write a prescription for the equipment and have it ordered from my local DME (Apria).

I hear these machines are very costly, so I called my insurance co. and asked if I am covered and they said that I am not covered for DME . I will have to pay for the equipment myself.

Since I have no idea what I am doing, could anyone give me advice on what I should do in this case? Should I ask my doctor to write a prescription for the cheapest machine on the market? Do I have any say in which equipment gets chosen for me? What kind of machine is less expensive, but will work as well as the more expensive one? I am so confused and worried, because money is tight.

Any advice or help will be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes,
Deanna in New York

[akcpapguy]

Get a copy of your script in hand and order your equipment online throught the provider of this forum CPAP.com

DO NOT get your equipment throught a local DME, you will end up paying a MUCH MUCH higher price than you can get it for online.

[Wulfman]

If your insurance provider won't pay a portion of the DME equipment, you darned sure don't want to try to buy it from a brick & mortar DME.

Depending on your financial situation, you can get better prices on new or lightly used equipment from
https://www.cpap.com
http://www.cpapauction.com

You may also be able to find some on Craigslist, local thrift stores, or other individuals trying to sell their equipment locally.

I wouldn't get a prescription written for a specific (or cheap) machine. They're good for "life" with online sellers.

I would recommend getting a data-capable machine so you can monitor your therapy.

Start doing your homework. Read this forum and ask lots of questions. These questions have been asked and answered many, many times before.


Den

[dog_tired]

akcpapguy, Thanks so much!! I didn't think of that. I will call my doctor tomorrow and tell him to give me the script. I bet my doctor gets kickbacks from certain DME's and will be pissed off, lol! In New York, everything is extremely expensive.

Thanks,
Deanna

[dog_tired]

wulfman,Thanks for the info. I will be taking your advice and will be doing a lot of reading tonight.

[Wulfman]

Be sure to get your prescription (physical document) as akcpapguy said. Also, be sure to get a copy of your sleep study.
You have the right to have both of those.


Den

[dog_tired]

Thanks wulfman. I will definitely ask for those.
I am so thankful for your help.

Best wishes,
Deanna

[Mikebov]

I started with the DME until my insurance would not pay. I went to secondwindcpap.com. I got a Resmed Elite II that had 2 hours on it for $299. Check him out. He stands behind his equipment. The first one he sent me would not record data. He replaced it no questions asked.

[DreamOn]

Welcome to the forum, dog_tired! Here's a good place to start learning about the various machines: viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168. You will learn there which machines are capable of reporting full data, such as AHI and leak rate, so you can monitor your treatment.

Please let us know which machine you end up purchasing, and be sure to ask any questions. There are many very helpful people here who are happy to help.