reliable approved sources

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
metropical
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 10:03 am

reliable approved sources

Post by metropical » Wed Sep 17, 2025 2:44 pm

have a home sleep study with an AHI 4%.
The local CPAP suppliers all have bad reviews.
2 have been investigated for Medicare fraud. Apria and Adept. Both giant squid corporations.
Waiting for call backs from 2 others.
Is there a reliable national option that I can try?

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ChicagoGranny
Posts: 15343
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:43 pm
Location: USA

Re: reliable approved sources

Post by ChicagoGranny » Wed Sep 17, 2025 3:56 pm

Did you use a local doctor to order the home sleep study? If so, ask their office. They are in a position to know who their customers like.

Are you self-paying or using insurance?

Which model machine has been prescribed?

BTW, AHI is not measured in percent. Can you clarify your results?
"It's not the number of breaths we take, it's the number of moments that take our breath away."

Cuando cuentes cuentos, cuenta cuántas cuentos cuentas.

metropical
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 10:03 am

Re: reliable approved sources

Post by metropical » Wed Sep 17, 2025 5:44 pm

Drs office referred the 2 that have been investigated. Disappointing.
No model has been scripted ... so far.
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ChicagoGranny
Posts: 15343
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Location: USA

Re: reliable approved sources

Post by ChicagoGranny » Thu Sep 18, 2025 6:11 am

Maybe another member can explain "percent" in the last column. ??

I could make a guess, but it would only be a guess.
"It's not the number of breaths we take, it's the number of moments that take our breath away."

Cuando cuentes cuentos, cuenta cuántas cuentos cuentas.

mlmollenkamp
Posts: 55
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2016 3:46 pm

Re: reliable approved sources

Post by mlmollenkamp » Thu Sep 18, 2025 4:44 pm

The 3% and 4% numbers are related to hypopneas. These are two different blood oxygen desaturation numbers used in the definition. Medicare uses the more strict 4% criteria so fewer events are recognized. If you google hypopnea event technical definition you will find several good articles.

Regarding DME suppliers. I have gone through half a dozen of them. When I retired and started Medicare I found that most didn't accept it. My doctor was always helpful but didn't really know good DMEs, especially ones that accepted Medicare. A year ago I switched to an online provider, Aeroflow Sleep. They have been by far better than any of the local ones. They comminate with my doctor, and manage Medicare efficiently. They are the first DME I've used that I've had no issues with. I'm pretty sure they work with all insurance companies.

_________________
Machine: Aircurve 11 asv
Mask: AirFit™ P30i Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear Starter Pack
Additional Comments: P30i is modified with Dreamwear headgear.

metropical
Posts: 13
Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 10:03 am

Re: reliable approved sources

Post by metropical » Thu Sep 18, 2025 7:15 pm

thanks for https://aeroflowsleep.com/ I'll look them up. Seems to be a very crooked business everywhere.

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LSAT
Posts: 13349
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: reliable approved sources

Post by LSAT » Fri Sep 19, 2025 6:31 am

Call your insurance company to see whar companies are in their network. In many cases it's the local dealer that is the problem...not necessarily the company itself.

GrandmaA
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Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2025 7:57 am

Re: reliable approved sources

Post by GrandmaA » Thu Oct 16, 2025 3:33 pm

I wasn't given a choice. I sent off the home sleep study result and next thing I knew I was being shipped a CPAP machine. The study people and the DME and my doctor had organized it all but forgot to include me in the loop. Oh well, it's all good, I'm responding very well to the treatment but it is Apria and yes they have been a mixed bag. Some of the counselors have been very helpful but they signed me up for automatic resupply without me authorizing it, I had to get that canceled, their website/billing is a mess, and they nag me about reordering way more often than I need to. But that might be the manufacturer recommended resupply schedule which is insane.

I don't know about outright Medicare fraud, but because so many CPAP users are of Medicare age including me, I feel very certain they max out that advantage. Like they push real hard to replace supplies at the point people who really need to replace them often, for every one. Whereas people who don't need to replace them often could go much longer. Like I don't use the humidifier so I think the hose will last almost indefinitely, no mold buildup or anything, and I do wash it. But they want me to buy a new long hose every couple of months. Nonsense.

So anyway, Apria is fine IF you stay on top of them and don't let them sneak in automatic supply, go over your bills carefully to make sure you aren't being overcharged, don't fall for the pressure to order supplies more than you need. I wouldn't be surprised if most suppliers are similar.

_________________
Machine: Luna G3 APAP
Mask: ResMed AirTouch™ N20 Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Not using humidifier at this time