Tips to afford an expensive VPAP?

[Matty332]

Hello,

I has told to post this in this forum by a member I PM'ed.

I am sick of asking for help and talking about my self all the time, I find everyone else much more interesting - but if you need help.. if you don't ask you don't get and these posts may help others. So I am asking again.

Looks like I may need to buy a VPAP when I just spend a total of about 2.5 grand on the current gear I have (see profile). I am in Australia (are dollar is roughly the same as the US so you can fathom how much it should buy) and we are ripped off for most things here. US citizens are just simply better at bargaining and looking for a deal so there is much more competition (hence things are cheaper in the states). There are more and more American business opening up here so things are slowly getting cheaper yay (like Costco - SO GOOD!) while things like electricity and house prices go up.

So a RESMED VPAP S9 S "http://www.cpapaustralia.com.au/shoppin ... chines.htm" is going to cost me 3500.00 total with Humidifier on CPAP Australia (a main supplier) . All out of cash for a while as my wife has bought a car and other things etc. The member I messaged told me that that 3500.00 sounds expensive. (while typing this I found "http://www.cpapexpressaustralia.com.au/ ... chines.php" and they sell what I bought for 1279.00 I got RAPED.)
I also noticed that the Respronics VPAP Remstar is way cheaper than the resmed VPAP s9 at 1700.00 on cpapexpressaustralia.

So can private health insurance help pay? How does private health insurance help? I have never had it but may get it if it helps?

And is the respronics VPAP any good compared to the resmed VPAP s9 s?

Thanks again..

[Slinky]

I am a Resmed fan myself, and much prefer the Resmeds over the PRs (Respironics). However, it is not because I get better therapy w/one than the other, it is the ease of access to and amount of data available via the LCD screen of the Resmeds over the PRs that account for my preference.

I haven't had the opportunity to use a Resmed S9 VPAP or VPAP Auto, however, I use and love my Resmed S8 VPAP Auto. I do have a PR S1 BPAP Auto and like it and get good therapy w/it. I usually use my S8 VPAP Auto tho. I like the ResScan software better than the EncorePro software.

I'll have to let others address your other questions.

[Pugsy]

I currently use the PR System One BiPap Auto which is a bilevel auto adjusting pressure machine like the ResMed VPAP Auto BiLevel. In December I had a chance to try the similar product in the ResMed brand..the S9 VPAP Auto Bilevel. They are different machines that go about their job differently with the end goal being the same for both. To be honest, I liked each one pretty much equally.
Each has its pros and cons. If you went with a Respironics..you would need a new humidifier also but there is a huge price difference which could offset that cost.

Some people do seem to "do better" with one brand over another but I found that I really felt like I had superb therapy with either in terms of how I felt. How you would do is anyone's guess. The algorithms are different. Pressure support is different. Neither is unpleasant at all, just different. There are several discussions on the forum about the various differences.

Sorry can't help you with your insurance questions. Here in the US there pretty much is zero chance of buying insurance to help pay for these machines once the OSA diagnosis is made. Sort of like trying to buy car insurance to repair for collision damage after the car wreck. No one wants to insure prior known damage. In Australia there is a different type of health care system and you would need input from fellow Aussies to have any idea if you can even get any additional paying insurance.

SleepyHead software works with either brand of machine.
I have used Encore Pro and when I had the VPAP I used ResScan (but I like SleepyHead better).

[Gerald?]

Hello,

So can private health insurance help pay? How does private health insurance help? I have never had it but may get it if it helps?

Yes, prices here are somewhat silly. However, I've had to put my machine in under warranty twice in the last 2 years, so I'm glad I bought locally.

You can generally haggle in Australia and play a few suppliers off against each other, but it will not be as low as the US. Might be harder to do this for a VPAP too.

Private health insurance reimbursement varies. Most "extras" policies will offer around a $500 reimbursement every 3 years for a machine as a "medical devices" or "health aids and appliances". Some offer more (I've seen up to $1000) some less. Some also allow a claim in a period shorter than 3 years. While the majority do not, some will also cover masks, hoses and aaccessories A quick call to your insurer and they will usually tell you what you are entitled to.

When I asked a few different insurers when I was buying my machine (about 2 years ago) none would offer the reimbursement unless it was bought in Australia. At the time the $500 and some haggling made it a bit less than buying from the US.

Good luck!

[jamiswolf]

Matty,
Is there a used xpap marketplace down under? Here in the states Craigslist (online classified ads) is the place to go. Low hour machines can be had at a reasonable price.
J

[chunkyfrog]

If the new machine is medically necessary, I'd start writing letters, filing appeals, talking to the media, etc.
If all that fails, I'd save up for a ROAD TRIP! Texas is lovely in the spring (cpap.com)
Private insurance companies here like to use the "pre-existing condition" clause--not sure if that works in Oz.
They will happily sell you a policy, but it takes maybe YEARS before they will cover anything you already have--if ever.

[DJSTEVEZ]

Hi Matty,
I'm a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and work closely with Insurance companies on a daily basis (yuck! ).
One of the best ways to have your needs met when there is an issue with either the insurance, or managed care, or dispensing agency, is to involve representatives from the office of your State & Federal Representatives. representatives LOVE to help out their constituents, especially the more "vulnerable" ones. In point of fact, they justify some of their staffing just for these purposes. Helping their vulnerable constituents makes for great stories come reelection time. They also count on you singing their praises (which they hope turns into votes) come reelection time. What they will do is intercede on your behalf with either a manufacturer, supplier, retailer, etc. Politicians do a ton of favors and, not unlike Don Corleone, have many favors from which to choose to call in...few better than one spent for a vulnerable constituent. I see that you're "Down Under". Given what I know of Australia I can't imagine that things differ enough in how things are done that you couldn't get some mileage out of my suggestion. I've referred many people over the years to this path and I've never known anyone to walk away without some level of help. I would suggest starting with your local reps first as they're easier to access and have stronger roots in a geographically limited area. Just be prepared, once your get some help you may be asked to share the story with local press & media.

I wish you the best of luck. Please let me/us know how this turns out.

Best, Steve

[Gerald?]

Matty

Just some other links that might help.

If you hold a pensioner or health concession card or meet a low income test it looks like you can get a VPAP for free in the ACT.

http://health.act.gov.au/health-service ... ort-scheme

Also it looks like ACT has an electricity rebate scheme for CPAP users. It won't go anywhere near the cost of a machine, but every little bit helps.

Even though your condition has been diagnosed, you won't have any problem getting your private health insurance to cover you. Unfortunately if you don't already have it, you will probably have a 6 month to 12 month wait period before you can make a claim, which won't help you if you need the machine now.

There is no craigslist equivalent here, but you might be able to find something here:
http://www.snoring.com.au/snoringforum/ ... 9bea78b3e6

Secondwind is US but delivers to Australia.
http://www.secondwindcpap.com/