Getting Script this week for CPAP Machine

Hello. I'm new here. The questions i have posted i have received a great response to. I've had 2 studies done last night with the CPAP. I was told on Friday from my Sleep Dr he would be writing my script to get a machine this week.

What should i look for in finding a location to fill. I will want to go somewhere who has the machine and not have to wait 2 weeks on one. I'm a State of Texas Employee with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Other co workers have said our Insurance pays 100% for the machine. I guess ill believe that when i see it. I was told there are local dealers in Tyler Texas close to my hometown.

SHould i go to one of these dealers? or order online? I'm still trying to get use to what all the acronyms mean I'm reading on here.

Thank you for your advise.

You could contact your insurance folks to find out what DMEs are in their network. Then you can call some to find out if they have machines in stock. The advantage to having a local DME, as far as I know, is that you have someone who can help you with mask fit. If I didn't have a local DME, I might have given up on PAPpy before now. I thought the whole business was just too uncomfortable -- until I switched masks. Different mask, different result.
Anyway, good luck getting started with this therapy.

Have your read this yet?
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/what-y ... me-part-i/

Check directly with your insurance company about any requirements for suppliers being "in network" or not.
If you have to use "in Network" to get 100% payment then get a list of DME suppliers approved in your network.
Also find out if the insurance company does a rent to own thing with capped rental or if straight out purchase.
If rent to own find out what happens in January if you have a deductible to meet again.
Do the math.

Some insurance companies will allow reimbursement for online suppliers. Find out exactly how your insurance company might handle that. Then do the math again.

Find out which machine a DME might normally supply. If it is not a full data (don't assume just because there is a SD card that it is full data) don't accept it. There are machines that have SD cards and the only data they gather is hours of use. Compliance use to satisfy any insurance requirements. Some DMEs will present these machines as data machines and while technically they do collect data...it is extremely limited data.

So educate yourself on which machines do what.

Shopping online may or may not save you money but for sure may save you some hassle if DME wants to supply bare bones machine. Again do the math.

For masks and supplies I would suggest using a DME. Makes it much easier to try out masks till you find one that suits you. There is a 30 day trial time offered by most mask manufacturers and if it doesn't work you can try something else. So the DME does have that advantage. These masks get pretty expensive and sometimes a person has to try several till they find the right one.

You should make sure that you get a data capable machine: if you get a Resmed it should be an S9 Autoset or S9 Elite -- not the Escape or Escape Auto. If you get a Respironics it should be the PR System One Remstar Pro or Auto -- not the Plus, AutoIQ, or DS150.

With these machines there is software available for free that you can use to track your therapy.

Some DMEs will try to persuade you that you don't need a data capable model, that your dr didn't order it, etc. Don't fall for it. Get the one you want.

thank you for the advise. I will do just that. My doctor told me to get a machine that gathered that data. He recommended Respironics introduces "System One" and C-Flex Plus through a new line of CPAP machines. The PR Pro CPAP machine is an intelligent solution that provides the highest level of comfort. New System One technologies like Humidity Control with Dry Box and Resistance Control for use with any mask, all are helping users achieve effective therapy. The PR Pro comes standard with carrying case, bag, memory card, manuals and now packaged with the Respironics Performance Tubing. Is this a good machine? He saidit would capture the data he would want.

I saw in another thread that you mentioned you didn't know what a nasal pillow mask was. Look in my profile at the bottom of this post and click on the link to the mask I use. It is a nasal pillow mask. It is really quite comfortable.
I have used nothing else since I started cpap therapy May 2009.

You mentioned some nasal congestion issues. Can you normally breathe through your nose just fine during the day?
If not and you cannot get your nose clear enough to let you breathe easily then this type of mask may be difficult for you. There are some things one can do to help with congestion but some people just can't breathe through their nose no matter what. Those people for sure need a full face mask because people who use the over the nose mask or the nasal pillows have to be able to breathe through their nose and keep mouth shut. If a person cannot breathe through their nose then they have to breathe through their mouth and without covering the mouth with a mask the pressure will go up the nose and out the mouth and be ineffective.

I normally breathe just fine through my nose but during my titration study they first attempted an over the nose type of mask. The pressure from that mask on the sides of my nose caused immediate congestion. No way could I ever use one of those. Even the slight pressure of glasses on my nose will create congestion. So in my situation the nasal pillows work perfectly for me.

The Respironics PR System One Remstar Pro CPAP with CFlex Plus is indeed a full data machine. It will serve you well. I use another model of the PR System one machines and I am very pleased with it.

Respironics PR S1 machines have some easily available software. I have some examples here.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64906&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... re+options

In the PR S1 line of machines the one to avoid is the PR System One Remstar Plus (and it can come with or without CFlex) it does have a SD card but only collects hours of use.

Thank you. I do breath ok through my nose most of the time. I use a saline rince at night. I'm going to try a mask first that covers both and see how that works. I did finally ralax during the study and the nasal mask wasnt too bad. Seemed to work the best for me as far as breathing while i slept on my right side. While on my back i seemed to breath harder. I was confused on the work " Pillow" YOur mask seems sleek. I want the most comfortable mask so i can benefit the most from it.

For pure comfort the nasal pillow type of masks are hard to beat. The little tips of the nasal pillows (we call them cones) just barely go inside the nostril. The bulk of the nasal pillow is outside the nostril and the rim area rests against the nostril/skin.

The most common complaint of discomfort with this type of mask comes when people simply get it too tight or do like one DME told a person, shove the whole pillow into the nostril. That would hurt for sure. These masks are relatively easy to seal because there just isn't much surface area to have to seal.

If you can normally breathe through your nose fine then it would be a good choice to try. Your DME should have one of the brands to try (there are others besides the one I use).

Yes the Doctor said he would prescribe one as you mention that will allow a detailed download. I wasnt aware i could access the data too off the SIM card. I will try the nasal mask and see how i respond. The type i wore last night in the study was a soft gel nasal mask It covered the entire nose area. The doctor did show me the nasal "cones". He said many of his patients did wear them. Ill experiment until i find one i can live with. At times it seemed i had to take deep breaths to get air. Once i relaxed it was better

I broke my wrist this past summer. While I could put the mask on and fit it with one hand changing out the nasal pillows for washing was impossible one handed. So I had my husband learn how to do it. He had never even touched my mask.

He told me that he had always thought those little pillows and the cones were "stiff". He said he had just assumed that they had to be stiff to stay in place. He was amazed at how soft and pliable the whole pillow was.

Fitted properly they are quite comfortable. When I started therapy and first used them I woke often and thought they were off my face. I would have to put my hand up and touch them and feel the venting to reassure myself that they were indeed still on my face and the machine was off. One does sort of become one with the mask.

I would try the nasal pillows first. They are by far the most comfortable... if they work for you.
As for the machine, try for an auto. If you are going to have a machine for 5+ years you want one that will meet your needs, not just your sleep doc's!