AUTOPAP vs CPAP? Which is better?

[Tired in Tampa]

My sleep doc recommended an AUTOPAP because I couldn't sleep well enough for them to titrate me during my sleep study. My home health care agency says my insurance will cover a CPAP but not an AUTOPAP. Therefore, I now have a CPAP.

Is there a big advantage in using an AUTOPAP when i don't have a titrate setting to work with? If so, I will either switch home healthcare agencies or just dip into my savings to buy an AUTOPAP. Presently I'm playing "guess the proper setting" each night. 14cm seems to work better than lower settings so far, but I'm a little afraid to turn up the machine too much. I've only had the CPAP for 10 days.

Your advise would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tired in Tampa

[chrisp]

Auto is better of course. Autos rule. That doesn't mean set a range and forget it. You must tweak it to get the best results for YOU.

As for your DME. Insurance pays the same for each. Auto or plain. They make less $$$ if they provide an auto.

Ask your insurance if you can purchase online. Will they pay YOU. Get it all in writing .

Either way . An auto is worth it. So what if it costs you a few $ . You're worth it.

Look at it this way. You wouldn't buy drapes for your house that you didn't want . Why buy a cpap that doesn't meet your expectations. It amazes me that folks will actually spent thousands getting the furniture thats perfect, The drapes, carpet . They spend thousands. But when it comes to their health. In this case their cpap. they say " But, but will insurance pay for it. " Hey, is YOUR life worth $1000 out of YOUR pocket? If it is go to cpap.com and buy the auto of YOUR choice with the heated humidifier and a good mask. Screw the DME, Screw the insurance. Get it done. Get a good nights sleep. Or, wait around for a few months pouting to your DME and insurance while your health worsens. Would you drive your car with a flat? With the door falling off? Don't answer that. Driving is scary enough . I don't wanna know.

:twis ted:

[rested gal]

My sleep doc recommended an AUTOPAP because I couldn't sleep well enough for them to titrate me during my sleep study. My home health care agency says my insurance will cover a CPAP but not an AUTOPAP. Therefore, I now have a CPAP.

This is astonishing. The sleep doctor wants you on an autopap (and rightly so!) because you don't have an accurate titration yet - a thing that can be accomplished by an autopap - and the home health care people are balking about what a sleep doctor wants you to use.

As far as insurance is concerned, an autopap IS a cpap. An auto-titrating cpap. It's the DME (durable medical equipment provider..the home health care place) that doesn't want to give you a more expensive "auto-titrating CPAP". They want to get by as cheaply (and profitably) as they can... the sleep doctor's treatment recommendation notwithstanding.

You might want to contact your sleep doctor. Tell him the DME has changed his treatment instructions. Ask him this: "If you tell them to give me a specific machine, will they have to do what you say?" Hopefully his hackles will rise and he'll say, "They sure better."

[Tired in Tampa]

Thank you for your sound advice Chrisp and Rested Gal. It's been hard for me to understand how the DME can call the shots on what kind of equipment I should use.

The autopap certainly makes more sense to me considering I don't have a titrated setting to work with.

TT

[CandyADiva]

chrisp well i know if you need something everyone should do what's best for our health. but everyone can't afford to buy the machine they really want. I cherish my health but I have to go with what I can afford I also have a famliy to take care of. The machine I did get is a very good one and I love the way it makes me feel in the morning. My doc and the sleep doctor said a cpap will do me good and so far it has. my pressure is 13 and i dont have a hard time inhaleing or exhaleing. Sometimes you have to do what you can do I'm just glad to have a machine.

[SnoreNoMore2005]

From reading some of the other posts, it sounds like the autopap makes the most sense since you don't have to have the max pressure all night long. Especially if you don't know what your pressure is supposed to be.

JMHO

[loonlvr]

I think I would get a prescription written specially stating the particular auto you need, as well as mask etc. Then use this at the DME. If they balk, say adios, I'll find another place to do business. I had prescription written, bought online and submitted it to the insurance company. Took awhile, but I got re-emburshed by Blue Cross. The auto is so flexible, it can be used both in auto and straight mode, different humidity levels, diff c-flex levels With the software, you can change modes on the computer, as well as monitor events.I know $200 seems like a lot out of pocket for the software, but boy is it worth it. .P.S. Also deffinetly keep a copy of the prescription, the insurance pre-approval, receipts, everything. I wrote my story on the ASAA forum if you want to see my long road to an auto involving docs and insurance.