I want my sleep doctor to order an autopap

Linda1904 · Post by **Linda1904** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:32 am

When I started cpap I had no clue about anything. I took the machine they gave me and did what they told me to do. I have not had much success with feeling rested. After reading all the posts I want an autopap. I'm sure my insurance would pay if the sleep doctor said I should have one. What can I expect from the sleep doctor or how can I approach him to order me an autopap?

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:35 am

Is the machine in your signature right? If so... you have an auto.

Linda1904 · Post by **Linda1904** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:42 am

No it is not, I thought I had changed it to the correct one. I have a "Compact" not a "Vanvage"

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:03 am

I would check with your insurance first - while masks are usually paid for anywhere from every 3 to 6 months, machines are not until 5 years have gone by (depending on your company).

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:40 am

How long have you had this Resmed S8 Compact? Unfortunately, if you've been using it longer than 30 days you are going to have a battle on your hands that I doubt you will be able to win. At least not unless you are willing to pay out of pocket for an auto.

Do you know by what method your insurance purchases your CPAP? Is it an outright purchase at time of receipt or is there some rental period before payoff and if so how long is that rental period?

You can hardly expect a DME supplier to provide you w/a new, unused CPAP, let you use it for 2 or 3 months, and then take back that now used CPAP and give you a brand new, more expensive CPAP/APAP and just swallow the depreciation on that now used CPAP. SOMEONE is going to have to ante up the costs in that situation. Do you wanna guess who??

In all likelihood it will be easier on you and your pocket book to just buy a good, lightly used APAP at cpapauction.com w/your current CPAP script.

SharkBait · Post by **SharkBait** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:44 am

Yeah, as much as I like my auto, I don't think it's a necessity. As long as I'm getting data and exhale relief, I'm good. That way you can monitor the reports and tweak the pressure in weekly 1/2 cm increments. Not ideal, but certainly doable.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:12 am

That's the problem, tho, SharkBait, the Resmed S8 Compact is NOT fully data capable.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:44 am

If it has been longer than 30 days you would probably be advised to save up your money and just buy you an auto from Cpap.com out of pocket. I bought my M-series that way and it takes the stress of fighting with everyone away. They have some terrific prices and they price match so if you find a great deal somewhere they match it. Then you have your first machine as back up which is a good idea anyway.

If you can't get it covered by insurance and you won't be happy without it. This could be your best way to go. If you can't do that you can always watch Cpapauction.com for a good deal.

You can get this setup for about 898.00
https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... -flex.html

Or you can get this setup for about 599.00
https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... ement.html

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:55 am

You really can't price match most of the Respironics and Resmed xPAPs because you have to provide the ADVERTISED PRICE PROOF.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:11 am

dieselgal wrote:If it has been longer than 30 days you would probably be advised to save up your money and just buy you an auto from Cpap.com out of pocket. I bought my M-series that way and it takes the stress of fighting with everyone away. They have some terrific prices and they price match so if you find a great deal somewhere they match it. Then you have your first machine as back up which is a good idea anyway.

If you can't get it covered by insurance and you won't be happy without it. This could be your best way to go. If you can't do that you can always watch Cpapauction.com for a good deal.

Ditto.

It's always a good idea to have a backup machine. "Murphy's Laws", ya know. (applies big-time to this therapy)

Don't fall into the "Auto envy" trap. As long as you've got a data-capable CPAP, you can do just fine.

Den

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:44 am

Was reading thru prior posts, and it seems they've been raising your pressure without the benefit of data. Did they ever do the home titration you mentioned to check if your pressure is effective? Most places will, on doctor's order, do a trial period (mine was 2-3 weeks) with an autopap - not quite the same as a home titration, but still very beneficial is finding your therapeutic pressure. They should give you NO hassle about doing that. That information could then be applied to your current machine until you figure out the path you want to take.

It might be better to not make any machine decisions (unless you are up against some some of time frame) until you see how high your pressure need actually is. It could be that the relatively high pressure you are at now is not really needed, that there are other issues instead, such as mask leaks or mouth leaks. Or it could turn out you need to go even higher, and would find more comfort in even another type machine.

I did a two week trial on an autopap when treatment wasn't working for me. Later went on to purchase a used one from a member here (RIP Snoredog). A few years later, I now use a data capable straight cpap and I'm perfectly content with it at a pressure of 12.

Best wishes as you go forward.

Kathy

Linda1904 · Post by **Linda1904** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:04 pm

Sorry I took so long to reply, I had to go out of town today. I have been using this machine since July of last year. Personally, I don't think it's fair to make me keep this machine. I sure had no idea what I was getting, since this was all new to me. I understand that the DME would have to take back a new machine but what I don't understand is why they give you the least expensive machine that can give no data or anything, when there are machines out there that do so much more. I would have no problem paying the price different. It also seems to me that a machine like this keeps me tied to my sleep doctor instead of taking control of my own treatment . Anyway the argument for having a back up machine is a good one. I guess I can afford to purchase the autopap myself. They seem to have good prices at Cpap.com if you buy the whole bundle.
In answer to one of the posts, yes I did get a autopap for 3 days and they did find I was at the right pressure, which was 14. Since then I have lost 16 lbs. Does not losing weight some times require a pressure change?? As always, I am amazed at all the posts. You guys are so nice to take the time to help me. Many thanks to all of you!

Linda1904 · Post by **Linda1904** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:23 pm

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:32 pm

If you want to buy an auto from cpap.com you don't need a new script. Your current script will do. Good luck!

Linda1904 · Post by **Linda1904** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:38 pm

My sleep doctor never gave me a script. He just sends orders to the DME.

I want my sleep doctor to order an autopap

I want my sleep doctor to order an autopap

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