The wait is over - my CPAP Prescription is ready - MAYBE

[tschultz]

After waiting for what I feel is too long and having pushed hard to get things expedited I received a phone call tonight that my prescription for CPAP is ready and I can get it in the morning. I'm hoping to go directly to a local DME that has been helpful over the phone so far and see if I can get fit for a mask and see what my home trial options are. I'm still leaning towards the ResMed S9 AutoSet with H5i humidifier and climate line hose, and although I may have to pay more I really want the complete data logging and full feature set it provides.

When I was told I did not need an autoset machine I said "is there any reason the machine can not be set as CPAP but I have the option of auto later if needed" and verbally this seemed to be doable under the constraints of the Ontario and the ADP program.

I will let you know how things go but the wait seems to be over and treatment can start.

[Megan]

Good luck in your trial!! Hopefully you will be like me - I have gone from being a tired old hag to feeling like a spring chicken!! Even though I feel like an astronaut when I head off to bed at nights - its definitely worth it. Luckily here in NZ we dont need to go through the rigmarole of getting a "prescription" for CPAP therapy, but it does cost us a small fortune!

All the best.

Megan

[SharonC]

When I tried to get an APAP I was told I had to have a 4 point differential between sleeping on my side and on my back. (according to our Ontario govt.) Having to wait a long time for another sleep lab, I decided to go with the CPAP...but talking to my DME today, she is willing to match the US price for just the APAP with no humidified because I already have everything with the CPAP I bought in October...which was all covered by govt and insurance. I'll have to pay the $853 out of pocket but can put it on medical on my income tax. Hope you can get an APAP...can't wait for mine. Now I'll have a backup.

[lok]

Woot! Grats. GL

[Muse-Inc]

Keep us posted!

[Jayjonbeach]

Best of luck, please see my post here:

viewtopic/t58796/What-Canadians-need-to ... etail.html

and the second and third post (on second page) in this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58735&start=15

[sleeplessinaz]

Good Luck!!! AND YAY for you!!! LOL!

Carrie

[tschultz]

Well today had been a busy and eventful one. It turns out the prescription for my auto-CPAP was done by my family doctor after I send a formal letter to try and expedite things on Monday to the sleep clinic and copied her on it. I went and picked up the prescription is it stated "auto-CPAP use are directed", not quite a full prescription but I though this is great I can start. I contacted the DME that I has been speaking with verbally over the past couple of weeks and was told the earliest they could see was mid next week some time. I called another DME and unfortunately they had no one available this week in my city and it would be next week before anything could be setup. The nice thing is on the way out the doctors office my wife and I walked by a recently opened office that handled respiratory care products and we went in. Not only did I not have to wait but was welcomed in and provide the prescription and was setup with an appointment for early afternoon so my wife could be present as well.

Just as my wife and I went back to the clinic we saw the person from the DME going into the doctors office for more information. We spoke with her and gave her a copy of the letter and explained the situation and she said that she would try and take care of things. Shortly afterwards, after she had spoked directly with the sleep clinic, we were told that she could not prove a machine based on the prescription but the the sleep lab was scoring my data from my titration study this afternoon. While we were there anyhow I asked if we could do the paperwork and fit me for a mask so the day was not wasted.

While being fitted for a mask we found out that she used to work for ResMed at one time and worked for two of the local DME's which I had already removed from my list due to less than favorable comments. She told us that she decided to start her own such company, buying into a larger franchise DME, but with the patient in mind and not all the crap. She was very thorough fitting the mask and explaining things and she called again to see if the prescription was ready yet but it was not. She told my wife and I to go shopping for a while and she would try and have the prescription by the end of the day and about 45 minutes later she called to let us know that she had the prescription.

When we returned she informed us that the sleep doctor wanted me on straight CPAP at a level of 13 and wanted close attention paid to the data for the next couple of weeks. I was sent home with a loaner ResMed S9 AutoSet with H5i Humidifier and Cimate line hose, and a ResMed SoftGel mask (it fit best) all for a 30 day trial period and was told that she would follow up tomorrow by phone to see how I made out and then wanted the CD card in a weeks time to copy the data for reporting. We also discussed purchasing the machine and although I am unlikely going to get ADP help I do believe I am going to be able to but the machine I want in the end as long as I am willing to pay the total cost.

The price is higher than I could get from the US, but Ontario, Canada requires a 3 year manufacturers warranty which I believe is part of the higher cost, 2 years is what I see listed in the US, approx $400 more than the US price I see and ResMed won't allow direct shipment from the US to Canada. There is no fee for my trial period as this is part of the complete service, I will know more when I see the final invoice for my actual equipment, but was told she bills strictly what the Ontario guidelines permit.

So far despite some hiccups I am very happy with the DME I am using and have a good feeling so far for long term, and I more importantly I may actually get some sleep tonight - I HAVE A MACHINE FINALLY

[Jayjonbeach]

So are you planning to pay for the whole machine with no aid at all?

Do you think she is going to sell you the APAP even though you have a CPAP prescription?

[tschultz]

So are you planning to pay for the whole machine with no aid at all?

I have already decided that getting the machine/features I want is more important than the ADP assistance. I disagree with how they handle things, just apply the CPAP payment level and I pay the difference but this seems to VERY hard to do. I will pay the full amount if I have to.

Do you think she is going to sell you the APAP even though you have a CPAP prescription?

I hope I am not jinxing myself here but I believe in the end I will be able to purchase the machine I want. Afterall the S9 AutoSet can be operated in CPAP mode thus conforming to my prescription.

I have no idea how this prescription may change over the course of my treatment so therefore the S9 Autoset I believe is the best overall solution short and long term and I insist on the detailed data-logging.


I do for-see a number of carefully worded letters going out to various government, medical, and media groups after this whole ordeal. Things are not handled how they should be and during this I have become a very greasy wheel - SQUEEK SQUEEK!