Lincare, insurance, and me

Hi and Happy New Year to all! (I used to post as Kem but now I'm told that user name is taken.) I've used bipap since 2004 and yesterday I had my annual appointment with the sleep center and asked about getting a newer machine. I've always had the Resmed V-pap II and may have the very last one as I've never seen anyone else mention it. It's a very heavy machine and has no data capability at all, and I was hoping for something a bit more modern, lightweight, with data accessibility. The sleep doctor didn't write a prescription, but the office checked with Lincare and my insurance doesn't cover a new machine until after 6 years.
It bothers me not having access to my data, even though I believe everything's going fine, since I feel great--this therapy has truly changed my life!
My question for you bi-pap users is, would you try to pursue this further by getting an Rx and buying from c-pap.com, or just hang in there for another 2 years with the V-pap II? Interestingly, the sleep tech who checked my pressure settings on my machine said "wow, what a dinosaur !", when she took it out of the case. Oh, well.
Thanks for any help!
Kathy

You can get a copy of your origional script and buy from cpap.com, as long as it's bipap. It's your health, if you can afford better treatment and want it why not have what you want. Lots have changes in four years, you never know when that dog will lay down, why not be ready. Jim

I suggest you contact your insurance directly about when you would be eligible for a new machine using it.

I also suggest you obtain a copy of your script just in case you need it.

Once you have a date you can use insurance to get a machine, do the math to determine how much Lincare is going rip you off if you use them in the future, (unless of course your insurance pays 100 %), then order a machine from cpap.com out of pocket.

You do need to be aware that Lincare may charge 3 or 4 times the cpap.com price so you will need to get an exact quote from them or your insurance on how much a bipap will cost / be allowed.

I hear the Respironics auto bipap is a nice machine with software available for it, but I don't have any experience with it.


PS: Lincare ripped my insurance off big time. I knew what I was getting into using them but still ...........

Hi Kathy! Nice to see you back on here!

Anonymous wrote:It bothers me not having access to my data, even though I believe everything's going fine, since I feel great--this therapy has truly changed my life!
My question for you bi-pap users is, would you try to pursue this further by getting an Rx and buying from c-pap.com, or just hang in there for another 2 years with the V-pap II?

That would depend, for me, on whether I wanted to spend the money for a new machine if my old machine was treating me fine and I felt good.

If I wanted to, I'd buy a new one. If money was tight and I felt good using my current machine, I'd wait it out.

If I reallllly wanted to see detailed data from a machine (and I do!) I'd get the new one now.

Just depends on money and desire. As do many things in life...LOL!!

If I were gonna get a new bipap, it would be the Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex. I'd prefer getting the older pre-M version of that machine. If I had to get the M series Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-flex, I'd definitely not bother getting the integrated heated humidifier that the M series machines use. I'd buy a separate humidifier to use with an M machine -- the Fisher & Paykel HC 150 humidifier. The F&P humidifier can be used with any brand/model of machine.

If I were lucky enough to be able to buy a pre-M series Respironics BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex, the integrated humidifier for that older machine is fine.

I'd buy the EncoreViewer software only (not a bundle with card reader included necessarily.) I'd buy the card reader separately a lot cheaper from this Hong Kong store:
http://www.two-factor.com/shop/index.php?productID=115

Hope everything continues to go well for you, Kathy!!

Hi Laura !
It's great to hear from you ! I'd hoped you would reply to this, and I really appreciate your machine / humidifier recommendations. I've saved them and hope to be able to buy on-line later this year.

While the v-pap II is doing its job based on how I feel, I want the data for my own knowledge of the treatment. I'm an auditor and I need NUMBERS ! LOL.

Will wait until after our taxes to see what (if any!) discretionary funds remain. Daughter got married this past September and son's wedding is this May, so we'll just have to wait a bit and see. My son doesn't believe me when I tell him there's a law against a couple's two children marrying within the same one-year period!

Kathy

Kathy wrote:Daughter got married this past September and son's wedding is this May, so we'll just have to wait a bit and see. My son doesn't believe me when I tell him there's a law against a couple's two children marrying within the same one-year period!

I wish them all the best. And you, too, Kathy!

Hello Kathy, don't forget to check out apap auction. Based on rested gal's recommendation I was able to find a new in the box auto M bi pap for one half the on line price. Regards