How long is the process?

[M a newbie]

I went to see my doctor awhile back because i was tired all the time. She sent me to do a sleep study. I went to my 1st sleep study in July. Had 2 cancellations from the specialist who was suppose to give my results. Finally, saw my specialist (nov 1) for 10 mins only to say i have to do titration study because i have a borderline mod-severe obstructive apnea. Did my titration study Nov 13. And i still have not heard from the dme's? Or has seen results of my study. Is this a normal timeline?

[jazzer4]

Not good enough for me!!!!!
I would be calling everyday.
Ask if they would put you on their cancellation list.

Just keep calling and tell them you feel like sh.....

[jonnybee]

I went to see my doctor awhile back because i was tired all the time. She sent me to do a sleep study. I went to my 1st sleep study in July. Had 2 cancellations from the specialist who was suppose to give my results. Finally, saw my specialist (nov 1) for 10 mins only to say i have to do titration study because i have a borderline mod-severe obstructive apnea. Did my titration study Nov 13. And i still have not heard from the dme's? Or has seen results of my study. Is this a normal timeline?

Don't know about how long; varies I'm sure.

BUT!!! Make SURE you educate yourself as to types of machines available and what you need. Do NOT allow the DME to dump a recycled, outdated machine on you. It happened to me because I was totally uninformed at the time.

[cflame1]

It's usually a couple of weeks... but after that I would definately call them and find out what's up.

[SleepyBobby]

That's way out of line and sounds like the sleep specialist is a quack. Sleep apnea is a serious issue and deserves the attention of the doctor. If he/she doesn't consider it important, you should find another doctor/lab.

[GumbyCT]

I went to see my doctor awhile back because i was tired all the time. She sent me to do a sleep study. I went to my 1st sleep study in July. Had 2 cancellations from the specialist who was suppose to give my results. Finally, saw my specialist (nov 1) for 10 mins only to say i have to do titration study because i have a borderline mod-severe obstructive apnea. Did my titration study Nov 13. And i still have not heard from the dme's? Or has seen results of my study. Is this a normal timeline?

Somewhat yea it is. But knowing what I know now - I'd be looking for another doc. Read and learn here. The BEST forum on the internet. Get your therapy goin.

You can see no one else cares as much as you do.

It took about 1 month after my titration before I got my machine. Unfortunately, I did no research or learning during that waiting period. Call your insurance, find out how they work and what they cover. CPAP is the biggest insurance ripoff going.

[M a newbie]

Thanks for the response! I would give them a call. July-Dec is A long time. I have to sleep at least 10 hours just to feel rested. I have been reading a lot of post and educating myself. I would go with the swift lt pillows w headgear and a s9 auto set w humidifier. Unless, my prescription is not for an auto set. Cant wait to feel what its like not to be waking up tire and sleepy! I will embrace all the uncomfortable feeling of using a machine because i know it's worth it!

[SleepyBobby]

Where I live, it might take awhile to get into the system but most labs here do your CPAP titration within a week of your first night and set you up with CPAP sometimes the next day but the longest is about a week. Getting back in to talk about it might take longer.

[GumbyCT]

Thanks for the response! I would give them a call. July-Dec is A long time. I have to sleep at least 10 hours just to feel rested. I have been reading a lot of post and educating myself. I would go with the swift lt pillows w headgear and a s9 auto set w humidifier. Unless, my prescription is not for an auto set. Cant wait to feel what its like not to be waking up tire and sleepy! I will embrace all the uncomfortable feeling of using a machine because i know it's worth it!

Sounds like you have a good start. It is a steep learning curve but if I did it, so can you

[idamtnboy]

You can see no one else cares as much as you do.

That's for sure. I've told young folks in high school and college that, "There's only two people in this world who really care what happens to you in life -- you, and your mother, and you can't always count on your mother!"

[XSnorer]

Thanks for the response! I would give them a call. July-Dec is A long time. I have to sleep at least 10 hours just to feel rested. I have been reading a lot of post and educating myself. I would go with the swift lt pillows w headgear and a s9 auto set w humidifier. Unless, my prescription is not for an auto set.

In my case the insurance company coverage requrements and codes for the APAP machine were the same as for the CPAP machine. The APAP machine the was the clear choice for me. Knowing this, all it took was having my EMT write "APAP" on the perscription instead of "CPAP".

I suggest you call your insurance provider first and find out your options before you get into discussions with your doctor and the DME. Coverages vary all over the map. Your doctor will not likely know what your options are. If it turns out that the coverage is the same for APAP and CPAP, then unless there is a medical reason for one vs the other pick a data capable APAP machine. The APAP machines can run in CPAP mode.

[msradar65]

Too long!!! I would be bugging the doctor every day!! I got my sleep study results back within a 5 days. I did my study on a Thursday and had results the following Tuesday. I was scheduled to for titration study that Thursday and had my results and script in hand about 5 days later. The long part was waiting for the insurance to get their act together. From start to when i picked up my machine and started on therapy was 3 months. It could have all been done within about 6 weeks if my insurance was not dragging their feet.

[M a newbie]

I finally called my insurance. They didnt say much. They just said they will decide if i should rent or not when the local DME calls. I also called the sleep center and they said the reults are delayed for a week because of the holiday. They have not even done the reading in 3 weeks. Really a bad experience!

[Muse-Inc]

My timeline:
Apr--Tentative diagnosis from new doc.
June--Appt with sleep doc.
Aug--Sleep study (split night, I have severe apnea, they put the mask on as soon as they got the numbers)
10 days later with me calling every third day, insurance approved & I came in and got my equipment.
Oct--Appt with sleep doc.

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

All too long. In almost 25 yrs working in the sleep field we have never had a sleep study that wasn't "scored" by the end of the day following the night study, interpretation is always within the week, except on rare occasions for holidays or vacations it's the next week, and CPAP ordered within a day or two. Sometimes, with lousy insurance, the approval from the insurance company can take longer. If someone is bad enough to split, they get their CPAP the next day even if it has to be a loaner from the DME until the insurance approves.

And getting in to see the sleep doc in the first place varies on several factors but should never take more than four weeks. We usually manage within a week or so.

Just my $0.02 worth