My experience with Kaiser Permanente

[Janknitz]

Interesting to hear they let you change your mask. I’m in week three, went in to try different masks, and they told me I just have to get used to what I have. I’ve been going to the Santa Clara location.

File a complaint. If the mask isn't comfortable for you, you won't use the machine as prescribed. They are supposed to be helping you find a mask you can use comfortably. Ask for the department head or the doctor who is supposedly your doctor for sleep apnea issues (even though you may never have seen him or her). If that doesn't work, file a grievance with Patient Services.

[m421]

I left a message for the doctor, I haven't heard back yet. I went in for the specific purpose of trying other masks after talking to the same doctor, so I was really puzzled by the result.

[Stom]

Interesting to hear they let you change your mask. I’m in week three, went in to try different masks, and they told me I just have to get used to what I have. I’ve been going to the Santa Clara location.

There is something odd with that. My experience has been different than that with kaiser. They've given me a number of different masks, and they specifically ask me to schedule a time for a full face mask fitting when I complained about dry mouth (from mouth pass through/exhalation) when using the nasal masks I was issued. I have to buy follow up masks on my own (since I don't have DME coverage) but the mask "fitted" to me is mine to keep. My co-pay for the appointment, though is almost as much as the cost of a mask, and I also pay a pretty substantial premium.

The mask is the interface between machine and person. It's really critical. Kaiser should be helping you with that. If they don't it could ruin your treatment completely. I think Janknitz is right that you need to push back on this.

[m421]

Thanks, I'll keep pushing on this then.

I'm curious what location/sleep lab others have been going to. I live in Fremont and work in Pleasanton (where my PCP is) but ended up getting referred all the way down to Santa Clara as the only location that had a sleep study appointment available in the next month after my doctor said I should have the sleep study.

[Stom]

I should add that I also bought masks on my own since the number of masks on "formula" at Kaiser is limited. The CPAP.com has "return insurance" on most, so your risk is limited, if, that is, you are an organized person who returns them on time within the rules. It took me too long to figure out that the Brevida is uncomfortable for me to return it - it felt fine until the 30 days was up

[Scluvsrain]

I live in s suburb of Sacramento and there’s about 5 different campuses of Kaiser in the Greater Sac area, but only one of them has a sleep center so that’s the one I have to visit. Sadly it’s not the one closest to where I live but it’s only a 20 minute drive away. We don’t have the same traffic issues as you.


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[m421]

There's a sleep clinic in Fremont, I called there and they have a couple walk in appointments available most days. I stopped by today and was two out of six people looking for one of the two available appointments -- if you go to Fremont, go early! I'm not sure why you can't just make an appointment. This went much better than the walk in at Santa Clara where there were too many people and it seemed like they were just trying to move people through as quickly as possible. (I think I spent more time there helping someone with her machine than the staff did.) At Fremont it was a one on one appointment. Ultimately he suggested the Brevida (which someone here suggested in another thread) and it seemed to work well there -- hopefully it works better for me than it did for you!

My coverage is through an employer, I have a copay but CPAP supplies are mostly covered. I'm not sure what they would cover if I got one on my own? So far I know Kaiser has the F&P Eson 2 and Brevida, the ResMed P10 (which works really well for most other people I guess!) and the DreamWear Nasal (which they didn't recommend for side sleepers). Not sure what else. Some full face masks but I don't know which, but I may be going back for one when cold season starts!

[Stom]

Ultimately he suggested the Brevida (which someone here suggested in another thread) and it seemed to work well there -- hopefully it works better for me than it did for you!

I *like* the Brevida But I find the underside of my nose is pretty sensitive, so some masks that work for most people don't work as well for me and I couldn't get comfortable with the Brevida. I love the idea of an under the nose mask, be it pillows or cushion. The original Dreamwear is my favorite nasal mask and doesn't put much pressure under my nose. I sleep on my side and back. I find the Dreamwear to work ok for that. When you put pressure on one side and seal off one of the side tubes, the air goes through the other one just fine. The main issue for me is that the headgear that fits on the back of my head tends to ride up while I sleep. But I've gotten some good results with it.

Glad you got another mask to give it a go. There are some pretty nice features in the Brevida, including adjustable headgear, unlike the P10.

[beautifuldreamer]

Thanks, I'll keep pushing on this then.

I'm curious what location/sleep lab others have been going to. I live in Fremont and work in Pleasanton (where my PCP is) but ended up getting referred all the way down to Santa Clara as the only location that had a sleep study appointment available in the next month after my doctor said I should have the sleep study.

FYI- The main Kaiser I have used and have had wonderful service is the San Jose Kaiser location. My favorite Respiratory therapist who retired had told me to keep going there because they have the best service in terms of Sleep Apnea- because at one point I told her maybe I should switch to Santa Clara, because it was closer to me- and so I followed her advice and have been very pleased with the Sleep Medicine Department in San Jose. The respiratory therapist that I see in San Jose, getting an appointment with her sometimes takes up to 3 or 4 weeks . . . Sometimes I message my sleep doctor and he replies very quickly to my questions.

One positive thing about Santa Clara, is the drop in clinic they have once a week on Thursdays at 2 pm- if you require an urgent meet up to ask about something, the drop in clinic is an option.

[babydinosnoreless]

Apria sounds like a dream compared to my DME. I'm done. I will be ordering supplies through amazon and cutting out the *#!%#*! DME.

[Janknitz]

I use the Kaiser in Santa Rosa.

You can schedule an appointment at any Northern California Kaiser sleep clinic, so "shop around" if you're not happy with your local Kaiser.

I celebrated the day I went on an ACA plan and lost my Kaiser DME coverage. No more Crapria.

[Scluvsrain]

I use the Kaiser in Santa Rosa.

You can schedule an appointment at any Northern California Kaiser sleep clinic, so "shop around" if you're not happy with your local Kaiser.

I celebrated the day I went on an ACA plan and lost my Kaiser DME coverage. No more Crapria.

Do you still have Kaiser through the ACA plan?


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[Janknitz]

Do you still have Kaiser through the ACA plan?

Yes, with outrageous and unaffordable deductible and no DME coverage except maybe for crutches if I break my leg.

But routine care is OK.

[bwexler]

I have intentionally switched back to Crapria.
I know you will all think I must be crazy, but they are better than my alternative/
First rule they never have and never will see my credit card info.
I either write a check at the counter or wait for an invoice and have my bank send them a check.
I think they may have gotten an order correct once. After several tries they usually get close enough.
If they can't or won't provide an item I van always get what I want from CPAP.com or Like my new ASV machine, from a member on this board.

[Scluvsrain]

Do you still have Kaiser through the ACA plan?

Yes, with outrageous and unaffordable deductible and no DME coverage except maybe for crutches if I break my leg.

But routine care is OK.

Every plan, ACA or not, if you’re not with an employer group, is outrageously expensive. I have never looked forward to Medicare more in my life. I am 19 months away and boy will my finances improve then!

Kaiser gives me outstanding care, so at least there’s that.


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