CPAP & VIP treatment from utility company

I'm a newbie still getting acclimated to the world of CPAP.

Someone mentioned that if I contact the company that provides our electricity, I will be put on a list to get priority service in case of a power outage.
I'm curious to hear if anyone on the list has done that.
They also mentioned something about possibly getting lowered rates for service.

Thanks.

I looked into it, my utility company requires my doctor to write them a letter saying certain things.... So, I gave up on pursuing that.

Since he wouldn't write anything for me to take when I travel to show TSA... unless while going through airport security, in an airport at least 4 hours away from home, the TSA demands to see such a thing...then he would write something.

Also the 'VIP treatment' is that they will try to notify you of any planned outages, and that you are aware of how long the outage will be and that you are prepared for it.

I'm more worried about unplanned outages, since I would hope that they don't have planned outages in the middle of the night....

The Dreamer.

I checked with VAPower and they said that they had no such program.

CPAP machines use very little electricity. However, if a person is using an oxygen concentrator, I believe that's a different story, and could become a higher priority for an electric company......"health-wise", anyway.

Den

Southern California Edison has a program where the up the amount of usage allowed in your "baseline usage". It had made my summer bills when using A/C MUCH cheaper.

Where I live (CA), there is a program called Medical Baseline. There are different prices charged for electricity, depending on how much you use. The baseline amount is the cheapest. With Medical Baseline, they give you a larger baseline amount, to cover medical needs for electricity. CPAP could be one, as are other ventilators, but for some people air conditioning is a medical need. For example, people with severe asthma. I use a HEPA hospital grade filter which does up my utility bill, in addition to my new APAP. You have to have a doctor sign the paperwork certifying that you have a medical need,. and only certain conditions qualify. I can't remember exactly what I qualified as.

With this program, they also try to make it a priority if there is a power outage to correct it in your area, but that depends on other factors. Like, what caused the outage, and how many other people are without power.

I'm sure the program varies depending on who the power provider is. Mine is Pacific Gas and Electric.

On getting a doctor's letter: a lot of doctors just don't want to take the time. I do the research, then write the letter, and take it in on a disc or flash drive. I offer it to the doctor to use in writing the letter for me. Most of the time they just use mine, with no changes, just putting it on their letterhead. I do the same with forms, filling it out, and leaving room for changes and their signature. Granted, I have a good group of doctors, but that has been the best way for me to get things handled ASAP. By now, they all trust me to know what needs to be said, and barely even look it over. Just play fair, and tell the truth if you expect the doctor to sign it. There is usually enough room in the truth to get what you need.

To the best of my knowledge not all power companies offer a "life saving equipment" discount. I doubt many, if any, offer it for xPAPs. That type of discount plan is for expensive and truly, immediate, life saving equipment such as oxygen concentrators. 02 concentrators can raise an electric bill as much as $30-$40 a month. Our power company used to give us a percentage discount, now they give a straight $6 a month discount. That's it. And, yes, our power company provided a form for my doctor to fill out and return to them.

This feedback has been enormously helpful,thanks especially to my fellow Californians.

I get $6.00 off my bill but I'm on oxygen. You do get faster service if needed. I had a power line come down and was told it would be 5 or 6 hrs to get here. Once I told them I was on Oxygen they were here in about 45min. So it really does help in service more then the 6 bcks.
Don

I checked with my utility company KCP&L and was told only if it was a life threatening condition AND if I was homebound and unable to leave without assistance.

Of course, I didn't follow up since sleep apnea is technically not life-threatening in a sense and I am mobile and can leave on my own.

TheDreamer wrote:I'm more worried about unplanned outages, since I would hope that they don't have planned outages in the middle of the night....

The Dreamer.

They do here.