TAP PAP, DME and Medicare?

[jagzoo]

Does anyone know of a DME that carries or will order the TAP PAP mask? My local DME here doesn't and won't. I am due for a mask later this month but really want the TAP PAP. It seems if the client wants a certain mask, then she/he should be able to have it. I have a mask on trial from CPAP.com but if I buy it myself, then all the supplies forever will be out of pocket. I need to find a DME that will carry it or order it.

Any ideas on how to do this? I live in a small town in NH so there aren't many DMEs around.

OH, just had night 3 & 4 with the mask and I LOVE it. It is the first time I feel that I have gotten a really nice sleep and didn't have to fool, or even be conscious of, a mask!

[Jay Aitchsee]

Maybe the manufacturer could help. See the link for contact info: http://mytappap.com/contact/

[Pugsy]

I told my DME about it and he said he would check into the Tap Pap but he told me that sometimes their cost for these individual masks, that they have to special order, is higher than what we can buy it for online...higher to the point that what Medicare reimburses them doesn't cover their costs. If you look at what medicare pays for a mask (actually allows and not the pie in the sky original price) they pretty much get close to what we can pay for one online and if they can't buy it cheaper than that price then they aren't likely going to be willing to buy it to supply to us if they don't make any money and especially if they lose money.

The reason DMEs stick mainly with the name brand manufacturers is they get a price break when they buy the same brand machine and the masks that particular manufacturer makes. So they buy in bulk from ResMed if they carry ResMed machines or same thing if they carry Respironics machines they target Respironics masks.

It's a new mask and I am sure that the manufacturers are working hard to get DMEs to carry it....wonder if they have some sort of way of letting the consumer know which DMEs in their area might be under contract to carry it..

Calling Mask Guy.... Any idea what people might be able to do that need to be able to file their insurance and their local DME is being difficult?

At least the mask has minimal parts to need replacing as long as Lizzie the dog from Hell doesn't decide it is a chew toy. That would be my main danger. Leaving it down where she can get hold of it.

[jencat824]

Another thought might be Nationwide Medical is a mail order DME that files Medicare. I use them for regular supplies. I order other things I want via internet suppliers such as CPAP.com & a few others that do not file insurance. I don't know if Nationwide has the Tap Pap yet, but you could call them to see. PM me for more info.
Jen

[Mask guy]

Hi Pugsy,

Regarding getting this through a DME, we are in the process of contacting DMEs all over the country and many are excited about this and have stock. As you know, there are also many to do not have this yet, and not all are early adopters. As we have only been contacting DMEs for 2-3 weeks we have a long way to go.

If anyone wants to call Airway Management during central time office hours 866 264 7667 we will pass on the details of the nearest DME that stocks the TAP PAP, or we can arrange to call on your DME and give them a demonstration. If there is no DME near you and your DME doesn't want to stock this then we may be able to put you in touch with a remote DME that may be able to work with your insurance.

Hope that helps, and thanks for all the TAP PAP reviews Pugsy!

Mask guy

[dllynam]

does any one know of a tap pap type mask that the hose goes down instead of up?

[Pugsy]

does any one know of a tap pap type mask that the hose goes down instead of up?

This is the only one I can think of at the moment.
CPAPPRO NoMask
http://www.directhomemedical.com/CPAPPR ... 4AodS3sAeQ

Not very popular. One of our forum members has tried one and didn't like it at all ...khauser is his member ID.
He was just telling me about it today. Had nothing good to say about it.
He does like the Tap Pap though.

I don't normally like things going up over my head but I found that the Tap Pap didn't bother me at all. A little weird watching TV with it but finally got it so that I couldn't see the hose.

[dllynam]

I have that one and HATE the mouthpiece, but this one looks so much better... not all squared off but actually fit to the mouth... I wonder if the 2 mouthpieces are interchangeable??? has anyone tried it

[Pugsy]

I have that one and HATE the mouthpiece, but this one looks so much better... not all squared off but actually fit to the mouth... I wonder if the 2 mouthpieces are interchangeable??? has anyone tried it

Khauser told me he hated the mouth piece on the NoMask also.
He does have the Tap Pap...
I don't know if he still has the NoMask to see if you could lab rat it to swap guards. If he doesn't stop by here tomorrow we can send him a PM and ask him. He usually comments in Tap Pap threads.

The mouth guard for the Tap Pap is available for purchase all by itself.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/tap-pa ... -mgmt.html

[dllynam]

thanks for the link... after looking at it they aren't compatible and I know from experience I can't have a hose (or anything else) in front of my eyes... but I love this idea, hope they make a version with a dropped tube

[SleepyToo2]

Just put the TapPap in upside down, to cover the lower teeth instead of the uppers? Maybe when I get my next one I'll try it with the one I am using right now. Or not.

[dllynam]

Just put the TapPap in upside down, to cover the lower teeth instead of the uppers? Maybe when I get my next one I'll try it with the one I am using right now. Or not.

have you actually looked at one and is that possible... the pictures show that that would only blow air to my chin

[SleepyToo2]

I'll have a look tomorrow when I take mine out. Going to sleep now. Good night, everyone.

[Pugsy]

have you actually looked at one and is that possible... the pictures show that that would only blow air to my chin

I looked at mine just now trying to figure out any way upside down would work.
I can't see it. The nasal pillows have to go in the nose and the only way for the hose to go is up and while it is not super stiff..it doesn't want to lay down enough to get it out of between the eyes.

You know there's the Oracle...have you seen it?
It's strictly oral though. I would have a problem with it because you can't breath through your nose with it and I have to be able to breathe through my nose or I am totally miserable and can't sleep.

Have you looked at any of the nasal prong masks?

[dllynam]

You know there's the Oracle...have you seen it?
It's strictly oral though. I would have a problem with it because you can't breath through your nose with it and I have to be able to breathe through my nose or I am totally miserable and can't sleep.

Have you looked at any of the nasal prong masks?

just looked at the oracle, would never work, I'm a nose breather and I am okay with my OptiLife (which I've used for maybe 7 years... give or take) but am looking at new options that don't leave creases all over my face and maybe not have to braid my hair to tuck the straps under

I'm currently looking at ones like the Swift FX and my supplier mentioned the SleepWeaver (kinda worried about that going up between my eyes) but this looked good except the over the face part