Getting Started and Startling the Doc

[Muse-Inc]

...I think I unnerved him...

[Madalot]

I was reading this with my early morning coffee and just smiled. I love seeing this kind of thing. I am so impressed with how you handled that doctor! You knew what you were talking about, knew what you needed and made it clear, politely I might add, that you wouldn't settle for anything less.

Kudos to you. Makes me proud to be a member of this forum.

[Kiralynx]

As someone about to start using a CPAP, this is definitely an inspiring story that motivates me to be as informed and empowered of a patient as I can be. Thank you for sharing!

I have often said that I would probably have been a CPAP failure if not for what I learned in this Forum. Good luck in your journey, and remember that the doctors and DMEs work for YOU!

[Kiralynx]

My, my!

I told the doctor to send the script for Hubbie's auto-cpap to my current DME. (I don't see why we need two DMEs in one household, especially when the one I have is very competent.)

He sent it to the group's DME. Who called today to set up the appointment for Husband to pick up his machine.

I told her that I had told him to send it to Access.

She didn't precisely argue, but you could tell she wasn't happy we were going elsewhere.

But, credit where credit is due: we just got a call from Access saying they had received the script and would call us when the insurance had approved it. So she did send it on quickly.

But think about it: it's been 3.5 weeks since the study determined my husband had severe apnea. And courtesy of the bureaucratic grind, he would still be without therapy if not for my old machine.

The idea of loaners given the day after a study is sounding better and better....

[Dog Slobber]

The idea of loaners given the day after a study is sounding better and better....

That's how the DME I originally used does it.

The Sleep Clinic Doc refers you to the DME, after a fitting and instructions they send you home with an auto machine (AS 10 AS for Her), they then use that to titrate you. You use it until your machine comes in.

The problem though, they're not interested in prescribing an Auto machine, instead they want you to have a Constant Pressure (AS 10 Elite).

[Kiralynx]

The problem though, they're not interested in prescribing an Auto machine, instead they want you to have a Constant Pressure (AS 10 Elite).

Yes. An AutoCPAP can be set to straight pressure if desired. But if needed, it can also give a range of pressures.

[chunkyfrog]

The problem though, they're not interested in prescribing an Auto machine, instead they want you to have a Constant Pressure (AS 10 Elite).

Yes. An AutoCPAP can be set to straight pressure if desired. But if needed, it can also give a range of pressures.

Which the dealers do NOT want you to know . . .

[Kiralynx]

Which the dealers do NOT want you to know . . .

Of course not. It saves you from needing to buy TWO machines if straight pressure proves inadequate for one's therapy.

[Kiralynx]

Trying to put everything in one thread so I can refer to it.

E0601: CPAP machine, This code is used for both fixed-pressure and auto-titrating CPAP (APAP) machines.

E0470: BPAP machine, aka "BiPAP," bilevel. This code is used for both fixed-pressure and auto-titrating BPAP (auto-BPAP) machines.

E0471: bi-level pressure (BiPAP) capability, WITH backup rate feature, used with noninvasive interface, e.g., nasal or facial mask (intermittent assist device with continuous positive airway pressure device)

E0561: Humidifier, non-heated, used with positive airway pressure (CPAP/BiPAP/APAP) device

E0562: Humidifier, heated, used with positive airway pressure (CPAP/BiPAP/APAP) device

[Kiralynx]

Phone call from Access.

We will be picking up hubbie's Auto CPAP tomorrow.

The doc reluctantly gave me the script for auto, set at 5-15, though he said straight CPAP at 9 would work. As mentioned in my original post, he blinked when I pointed out that the billing code for straight CPAP and Auto CPAP are are same when he tried to tell me that insurance wouldn't pay for the more expensive machine

Main thing I will have to check on is that it isn't one of those bricks that give you data for a month and then quits.

FINALLY, after a MONTH, he will have his own machine, and we can start looking at his data.