CPAPtalk.com

oklajohn wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:30 pm

CPAP.com will not accept my Sleep Study Report as a prescription, and when I requested one from my Dr. , he talked me out of buying online, saying local supplier would have mine in 3 weeks and call me. Insurance-wise this is the best way to go, I guess since Medicare and my supplement will cover the cost of all the equipment. And the Dr. can keep a close eye on my progress - or lack of. There just "ain't no cpap's to be had" in this part of the Country right now. So I will wait. Bummer!

that's entirely up to you.

but did you know that ANY doctor can write that 'script? including a dentist.

if you have a good relationship with another doctor, you can ask her or him to write one.

good luck!

oklajohn wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:30 pm

Insurance-wise this is the best way to go, I guess since Medicare and my supplement will cover the cost of all the equipment.

Go to this Medicare site: https://www.medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers/

Enter your zip code and type of equipment you want to find a list of DME suppliers that accept Medicare. Call several of them and ask if they have any machines in stock. You do not have to use supplier recommended by your doctor.

And the Dr. can keep a close eye on my progress - or lack of.

Did your doctor tell you that part?
SOME actually do. They have the software to monitor and tweak you settings to better optimize your treatment.
In that case, all you need to do is get the same brand the doctor owns the software for, (which I assume will be specified in the prescription) and regardless where you purchased the machine, your doctor "can keep a close eye" on your therapy.

Most doctors do NOT have the software. Some ask the DME to download the EFFICACNY data for them to review when you meet with doctor. Most doctors only look at compliance data (how many hours and how many days you used the machine within a 30 day period) because insurers require this documentation to pay for the machine. You can access that data yourself and bring the reports to the doctor if your doctor is truly interested but doesn't have software for your brand.

It makes sense to wait for your DME if you can get most or all of the cost covered, but don't fall for assertions that your doctor can only get data from a machine you get at a particular DME--it's simply not true.

Squeaky wheel gets oiled! I got a call today from my DME and I am getting a ResMed AirSense 11 in a week or so. They have 25 coming in and will call me when they receive them. They have been shipped to the DME. Now if the storms don't delay the carriers...........always something to deal with it seems.

oklajohn wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 23, 2022 12:29 pm

Squeaky wheel gets oiled! I got a call today from my DME and I am getting a ResMed AirSense 11

Which one? you DO NOT want a CPAP, and probably not an Elite. There are three different "Airsense 11" machines.

[/quote]
Which one? you DO NOT want a CPAP, and probably not an Elite. There are three different "Airsense 11" machines.
[/quote]

Sorry but I don't understand -"you DO NOT want a CPAP"?

There are three models of the Air Sense 11 machines. The "CPAP" model is a single pressure machine with limited data. The "Elite" model is a single pressure machine with full data capability. The "Autoset" is a variable pressure machine with full data capability.

I think I'm ok - Dr.'s Sleep Report and prescription call for Auto-CPAP.

Since Resmed Airsense10 Autoset has higher availability and lower cost... Is it worth it to hold out for an Airesense11? Seems like the new ones are quieter. Any other advantages?

oklajohn wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 22, 2022 3:30 pm

CPAP.com will not accept my Sleep Study Report as a prescription, and when I requested one from my Dr. , he talked me out of buying online, saying local supplier would have mine in 3 weeks and call me. Insurance-wise this is the best way to go, I guess since Medicare and my supplement will cover the cost of all the equipment. And the Dr. can keep a close eye on my progress - or lack of. There just "ain't no cpap's to be had" in this part of the Country right now. So I will wait. Bummer!

Sounds like your doc has a "arrangement" with the dme he sent you too. Go to your primary get a prescription and order it online. To hell with that sleep doc.

[/quote]Sounds like your doc has a "arrangement" with the dme he sent you too. Go to your primary get a prescription and order it online. To hell with that sleep doc.
[/quote]

I would except for insurance coverage - I have Medicare and Blue Cross FEP - and it should cover all of the expenses. Online, at least CPAP.com is a little more difficult to get insurance companies to pay, especially Medicare. If I could find an online source that would file Medicare and Insurance for me, I would do that in a flash!

I would call. https://verushealthcare.com/contact/

babydinosnoreless wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 06, 2022 7:06 pm

Sounds like your doc has a "arrangement" with the dme he sent you too.

Those "arrangements" usually involve a paid week long trip to Hawaii for the good ole' doc and his family!

It's done every day...Drug Company perks are probably better than what a DME can provide a doc and his family!

oklajohn wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 06, 2022 8:04 pm

Sounds like your doc has a "arrangement" with the dme he sent you too. Go to your primary get a prescription and order it online. To hell with that sleep doc.
[/quote]

I would except for insurance coverage - I have Medicare and Blue Cross FEP - and it should cover all of the expenses. Online, at least CPAP.com is a little more difficult to get insurance companies to pay, especially Medicare. If I could find an online source that would file Medicare and Insurance for me, I would do that in a flash!
[/quote]

Blue cross is one of the best insurances around. You could find a different dme /doctor in your network. But even with insurance, I paid more getting a machine through my insurance than if I had paid out of pocket. Those copays (co insurance) add up. When I added all up the 13 months fees I paid significantly more for the machine than I did for the back up machine I bought out of pocket.

SleepGeek wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 06, 2022 8:11 pm

I would call. https://verushealthcare.com/contact/

Do they accept and file insurance, and do they carry Med Res units? I can't find the answer on their site. Thanks.