V.A. & your help

Hi,
My father-in-law has just been diagnosed with OSA by the VA hospital. He is a full-time RV'er and I have some questions about machines and the VA. If you can offer your help I would appreciate it.

Here are some of the things that I think He needs in a machine, but will the VA give him more than just a basic cpap?

: apap that supplies data (basic as it may be) on a screen. He will never get the software.
: apap so that he can adjust or re-titrate as needed when he is away from any VA and traveling
: altitude adjustment as He spends months at a time at sea level, and then in the mountains

Any machine suggestions, and VA info will be appreciated. He see's his Dr. on the 15th.

Thanks,
Caroline

country gal,

My experience from other Vets who have posted on this forum is (1) You wait & wait & wait & wait and wait some more. (2) Then you have to take what they give you.

amos

Yup, unfortunately with the VA, you get what you get. Government run medicine....don't you love it. Where I live the only DME that contracts with VA is 200 miles away, you call in your order and they send it too you. No they don't use overnight or anything, sometimes it takes a week to get a mask. If your machine is broken it's a 4 hour trip to get it replaced, or mail it and wait a week or two.

My experience with the VA has been - while they were a bit slow off the line they issued top line, data capable, Respironics. I don't think that will be a problem for you/him. They will send the DME right to his house to setup his equipment.

HTH
pm me if you have more Q?'s

The VA works different depending on the region you are in. With me, I left the hospital the morning after my sleep study with a full data capable Remstar "tank" Pro 2 machine and all necessary equipment. I do not deal with a civilian DME. When I need supplies, I just call the nearest to me VA hospital, and they dorp them in the mail. With the VA it is "you get what you get". The hospital here only carries on style of FFM, cant say on the nasal styles. Chances of getting an APAP are probably slim to none.

Thanks for your input..

I guess it is just like any other Dr & DME that it does depend on where your are, and the people that you are working with. I guess I'll just have to equip him with all of the usual notes and lists and see what happens.

Gumby CT, please check your pm's.

Caroline