My quest for an APAP

I called my insurance company this morning to see if they will pay for APAP. The lady I spoke with was familiar with CPAP, but not APAP. I had to explain to her what it was, how it worked and why it would be beneficial for me to have it. I told her for titration purposes it will be a lot cheaper for them to approve that than to pay for another sleep study. She seemed genuinely interested and took all the information down. She told me to get my doc to write rx and she would have the medical director review it. Sooo, I waltzed into my PCP's office this morning with Respironics Auto w/ Cflex and smart card written down with part number. Pressure 8-15 cm h20. Dx: OSA. My current pressure is 10. I figured that range was a good starting point to get the script and I can always change as needed myself. She said she would put my note on the doctor's desk. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he writes it and doesn't try to bump me back to the sleep doctor. I've put two calls in to sleep doc and haven't heard from him yet.

Meanwhile, I'm quite sure I need a higher pressure. I slept for three hours and woke up last night. That was even with using lavender essential oil. I layed there a while just enjoying the aroma, but couldn't go back to sleep. I got up a while and then slept for a few more hours. I had another doc appt today and almost fell asleep on the couch waiting.

Lavendarmist, it sounds like you're off to a good start on getting an APAP. Keep after all parties involved, though. It's been posted soooooo many times that the insurance company lost the paperwork, the doctor's office was swamped and misplaced the request, etc. Be a nice "squeaky wheel". That has worked numerous times.

Best of luck.
Kajun

Yippee! One hurdle crossed and one more to go. I just called my Primary Care Doctor's office and spoke with the nurse. The doctor okayed my auto and it has been submitted to the insurance company. Now, I'll call the insurance company and be a squeaky wheel and hopefully will have my auto soon. When I found out the doctor approved it, it made me want to do the happy dance. I am so much closer to being able to see how my treatment is going and tweak as needed.

Next time you are in the area, after you actually get your APAP, take a plate of home-made cookies or a cheese ball and crackers into your PCPs office w/a short thank you note. (It never hurts to stay on the good side of your PCP's desk dragons! as well as your PCP's). Working women seldom have time to do much baking so a home-made treat is almost always preferred.

Slinky,
Thank you for the idea. It is a wonderful idea! That poor office staff works very hard. It is a very busy office and handles a lot of medicare hmo patients. There is only one girl at the front desk and the nurse. They work their behinds off. I can appreciate it, because before I became disabled, I worked in a doctor's office and I know just how crazy and stressful it can get. Instead of chocolate chip cookies, I might make some M&M cookies. I saw Dr B. ask the front desk girl for M&M's one day, lol.