Insurance "compliance"question.

Hi, All: I am a newbie--had diagnostic sleep study and titration study--after a nightmare week with a loaner--and my r.t. putting my own machine together wrong (with another nightmare night) I am on my way. Last night was my 9th night on therapy - but I have a question for your "vets". My R.T. told me the insurance company will take back my machine unless I reach "compliance" which is 4 hours--I know there is something inside my machine that is recording my usuage - (AeioMed --Remstar II) - and I love the machine. But you see I have another medical problem--I have interstitial cystitis which requires me to go to the bathroom 3-5 times per night--and, no problem--I just unhook the hose--and go to the bathroom leaving my mask in place --but I am shutting off the machine--so the question is my machine is recording all these 2/3 hour "compliance" times---I was told that the CPAP therpay might help my nighttime frequency for the bathroom better--but I was wondering about shutting off the machine--or should I just let it run -until I get hooked up again.
What do you all think? Also, the air coming in (I was told I was a "5") tickles my nose--and it is maddening - also, I am using a breathe right strip to make it easier to breathe in and out (I have a slight deviated septum) --I am 60 years young, just diagnosed with this in July-October --am a breast cancer survivor (2 yrs. 4 mos) so I know I can conquer this too --with a little patience and persistence. Also I hate going to bed looking like Darth Vader--why don't they make the darn headgear in colors--like pink!!
Thanks for you help.
Bobbi

If you will list the equipment that you are using then others will be better able to answer specific questions. On the CPAPTalk.com home page toward the upper left click on user control -- the user control panel will popup -- click on profile and then edit equipment. You should be OK as I think that most machines that can record do so on a daily basis rather than ne event basis.
papdad

Hi Bobbi. Welcome to the form. Yes you will concquer this, it is not a big deal. With your background, I know you can.

As far as compliance goes my understanding it does not have to be 4 hours straight. All your segments must total 4 hours. I would not leave it running while you go to a potty break. I am not real sure of your machine but many have an auto off (which I don't like and have disabled on my machine) which will turn it off after a certain period. If your machine actually collects data other than compliance hours leaving it run will really mess up this data. When I really got used to my machine it did help with the potty break frequency - did not eliminate it completely.

There have been several discussions about making masks gender specific. Right now most are working on getting them to fit different gender shape faces. Color cordination next!!

Jerry

Bobbi:
You could possibly adjust your ramp pressure and/or time to address the 'tickle' issue.

Jerry:
I noticed that you are operationg in the CPAP mode -- do you not like the automatic mode ?

Norn

ah the threats by them RT's.... that must stand for Rotten Therapy. Ignore the clowns.

If you are new at this it will take a while to get accustomed to therapy for compliance to improve, if the RT hassles you hand him the gear and tell him to hit the road, they won't get paid and I'll guarantee you they will change their tune.

Insurance doesn't like OSA and its therapy because it is an ongoing drain on their profits. So Insurance imposed compliance requirements for continued coverage. That means you have to show you are using the machine for 4 hrs per night on average to be compliant. Anything less is non-compliance and since most DME's don't want to see their revenue cut off by you not being compliant most just lie that you are. If they told insurance you were not compliant they would only be shooting themselves in the head er wallet and they ain't about to do that.

So turn the machine off when you go to the bathroom and don't worry about the Rotten Therapy people, if they intimidate you tell them were they can stick it.