CPAP fitting appointment

Hooray! Medicare approved my CPAP, and I go in for a fitting in a couple days.

I don't know what to expect at this appointment or how to make the most of it.

I'm specifically also wondering if I'm likely to get my cpap then or if that will be later.

Hi, Morningglory, I am guessing each insurance company deals with this differently and sometimes whatever they have done in the past changes. I have Apria. My first appointment with them was a house visit. They came and set up the machine and fit me with the same mask I was using during the tritration. The Respiratory Therapist changed out my mask several times subsequently. Each time I had any issues they came out to my house. (This was over a 5 year period.) When I changed from BiPap to ASV they had cut back on their home visits so it was faster for me to go to them to swap out machines. I can't really see why they would send you away without a machine and a mask. One thing you do want to do is to make sure you understand their mask policy. Apria had 30 days; so, initially, if I needed a different mask before the 30 days was up I was able to get a different one. I had to do this several times.They just left me with the old masks since they couldn't reuse them. Most people on this site know more about the machines than I will ever know but having a machine that will record your data will certainly help you to have more successful therapy. Good luck on your visit! Best, Tuza

Thank you!

I have Medicare, unfortunately, so that's already complicated things plenty. But I'm hoping to leave the office with a machine and mask for sure.

Usually in situations like yours the "fitting" thing is where they bring out your machine and a mask and they go through the basics and you leave the office carrying your new stuff home with you.

I think it depends on the DME and your requirements. For instance, they will have my brothers machine and mask when he goes for his appointment because his prescription is specific. The DME has already told me that they don't stock my preferred machine, so there may be a wait.

If your script does not specify a machine try to get one that is data capable and APAP (automatic pressure range.

Also ask if they have any sample masks that you can have - they often do.

Good luck and work any issue you have on the board.

englandsf wrote:If your script does not specify a machine try to get one that is data capable and APAP (automatic pressure range.

This. Actually, tell them you're going to change to a different DME if they don't give you a data-capable APAP machine. It's tough to get your pressure settings dialed in if you can't see the telemetry data from the machine.

As far as masks, I suggest you try the lightest, most unobtrusive nasal pillows first. I started with a Wisp nasal mask because I thought I'd hate nasal pillows jammed into my nostrils. After reading a bunch of advocates for the ResMed Airfit P10 nasal pillow mask, I bought one online and never looked back.

Thank you all for the suggestions! I'm so happy that I'll probably be getting my machine tomorrow.

I had to try several home health providers as it is in order to get my machine approved (thank you, Medicare). So I'm hoping this one has everything and I won't have to mention going elsewhere.

Mine will definitely be data capable (assuming that means what it sounds like) because Medicare will monitor how much I use it and take it away if I don't use it enough.

Look at this site to determine Data Capable machines. https://sleep.tnet.com/cmd

What medicare and DME's are concerned about is compliance data such as hours of use and AHI but the AHI is not broken down into different categories and there is no waveform data. So be sure and study the different machines. Medicare pays by code which is the same for a brick or a full data capable machine.