Financial Assistance

[BradfaG]

I have been told that I need a Respironics BiPAP AutoSV with humidifier, product # 1042906 from my sleep apnea provider. This machine costs a few arms and legs, which I cannot spare. I also need a Respironics Full-Life Full Face mask with headgear & tubing. A co-worker mentioned that there were charitable foundations and/or organizations that could provide assistance with low cost or complete cost assistance. Can anyone help direct me to one of these organizations? I would be extremely grateful.

Brad

[Emilia]

I assume you are without any insurance? You can try your local A.W.A.K.E. chapter, call local sleep lab/centers and see if they know of any place for this purpose, The Reggie White Foundation helps organizations to supply equipment to those in need, and SecondWindCpap.com does sell gently used machines with warranty at much reduced prices....and they also help to provide machines to those without insurance or financial means.

I am sure others will be along with other ideas.....

http://www.sleepapnea.org/awake/index.html

http://www.reggiewhitefoundation.org/

http://www.secondwindcpap.com

[OutaSync]

I bought both of my Auto SVs and many a mask from cpapauction.com for much less than retail.

[Julie]

AWAKE is no longer (apparently) helping with money, but even a local Lion's club (or Elks, or whatever is in your area) might be able to assist.

[Emilia]

These are the only bipap machines currently listed on cpapauction: http://www.cpapauction.com/browse-cpap. ... umToShow=5

[BradfaG]

Thank you Emilia for these suggestions. I forgot to mention that I do have insurance with Kaiser-Permanente, an HMO. The company that they referred me to (Neighborcare) want to rent me the machine I need. I would rather buy it rather than rent a machine for the rest of my life. I will contact these organizations that you suggested to see if they can assist me or may know of other organizations. Thank you again so much.

Brad "Sleepless in Maryland"

http://www.sleepapnea.org/awake/index.html

http://www.reggiewhitefoundation.org/

http://www.secondwindcpap.com[/quote]

[Emilia]

Hi, I would caution you that most organizations aren't going to help you if you have insurance. When insurance says 'rent,' they are usually following the same guidelines as Medicare in that the insurance agrees to a rental contract with the DME for a period of 13 months, after which the machine is yours to keep. Now, having said that, if YOU have to pay a deductible and a monthly copay during the rental period, you need to figure out what that amounts to for the total rental time. If it is more than what you can buy a machine for outright, then you can make a decision.

We have many Kaiser patients on this forum, and you might start a new thread with the Kaiser name in it to draw them to your questions about what they normally do and what kind of machines they supply.

[Guest]

how can i get finacual assistances for new cpap machine mine broke