Newbie Question

I have just got a prescription for a CPAP machine and my Doctors office advised that they faxed the prescription to a company that handled my Insurance. They advised that this company would have someone come out with the new CPAP machine and fit me for a mask. Well the next day I receive a call from this company and they advised that my CPAP machine would be at my house in about five days through UPS, When I asked them about coming out and fitting me for a mask, they advised that when I receive my CPAP machine it has a kit for mask and a DVD. I asked her what CPAP machine am I getting, She advised the basic m-series by respironics. (From reading many post on this site, I see alot of users with the M-series auto with Aflex) dont know if I should or not, but I told her I wanted the M-series auto with Aflex, she advised that she would have to call my Doctor and have the prescription changed.

Im new to all this and was wondering should they come out and fit me for a mask or should the basic m-series and mask kit w/ DVD be good enough. Thanks

"basic" is the name of the bottom of the line model for Respironics - no cflex - no data

no choice of mask?

is this Apria? are you in an HMO?

Can you contact your insurance and ask for a list of in network providers and do some calling

From my understanding, though I could be wrong on this and if I am please correct me someone. You should be able to get an APAP machine with a CPAP prescription, but you can not get a CPAP machine with an APAP prescription.

David

that all depends on where you buy it - if you are using insurance and a local DME you got to play their game - if you are buying from cpap.com out of pocket the restrictions are fewer -

And don't wait for her to make that call to your doctor - pigs will certainly fly before that happens !

This sounds exactly like Apria did me.

The DVD wouldn't/didn't work bc it was scratched so I called Apria - the woman said she didn't know what to do and would have someone call me back. Unless my memory has faded, that was in Jan 2007, as of this writing NO CALL was ever received from Apria. Then I found this forum - you are one step ahead.

I found out much later the DVD comes with every machine. My machine was the Plus model. The Plus includes absolutely nothing for useful data re: AHI, or leaks. In fact, mine did NOT even have a card reader installed.

The PA at my sleep lab told me I had the cadillac, ha. Yea, 3-speed on the column, no wheels, no rear seat.

Read and search this forum. In case you haven't seen it - at the top of the forum page - "Where a Newbie should start" is a good place to start.

Good Luck

I would be on the phone to my insurance company and ask if this is ONLY DME CPAP supplier they are contracted with. Hopefully, it will turn out that you have other local DME CPAP options. If not, if this CPAP by mail or UPS is your only option I would have some choice words for my insurance starting w/"You are setting me up to fail just to save some money!! Yet it hasn't bothered you to accept my premium payments!"