Kaiser in Denver Questions????

Hi I took my sleep test and now they have scheduled me a appointment to come in and get my test results. they told me that I will be fitted for my mask and take it home that day and make sure that I have my dme co-pay that day. they gave me a price list for basic cpap unit mask and humidifier. I have a few Questions I'm wondering if they will give me any choice in machines? I travel a lot i work in Chicago and have my house in Denver so I need a machine that is easy to travel with and adjusts for the altitude change. I was also wondering if they will give me a passover or heated humidifier? I have sinus problems and from what I understand I will prob need a heated humidifier. there is only one price for humidifier and 1 price for machine which makes me think that I wont have any choice in equipment. I just want to be as informed on the process as possible with kaiser so I'm ready when I go in. I don't want to spend money on stuff that wont work for me when I could be getting it here on cpap.com. I was under the impression that they would send me to apria but from what the nurse was telling me i sounds like I will be getting the equipment from kaiser. if anyone has been thru this in Denver with kaiser I would like as much info as possible thanks in advance

Welcome to the forum.

Does the paperwork they gave you list the machine they want to give you? If so, what one is it.

One of the most important things most of us here agree on is to get a fully data capable machine. Not one that just gives compliance data (hours used per session, days used).

Most machines now come with a heated humidifier that can be used as a passover one. Try any and all masks that they have, with it hooked up to the machine if you can, until you find the one that will work for you.

Not sure if this helps any, but I wish you luck on your new adventure as a member of the hose head family.

David

the only info it has on machine is
"Initial cost of basic cpap unit is" 785.00 dme copay 157.00

so they don't really give me much info

Well, I see that they are being less helpful than a wet match in the middle of the desert during a rain storm. Not surprising though.

Ok, the next step I can suggest is to try and give them a call in the morning when they might be open and see if you can pry anymore information out of them. Maybe you'll get the Rep who is new and will talk your ear off while telling you everything you want to know. They 'should' at least tell you what you'll maybe getting before you receive it, but you never know.

David

I just (3 weeks ago) went through the same process with kaiser only in northern California. They said exactly the same thing. When I went in for the cpap they told me they needed to order it through Apria. I thought I would get it that day. They said it would take 4-5 days to receive the machine. When they found out I was 1 month post heart attack they let me take home a loaner. So if Denver is the same way, maybe you can talk them into a loaner as well. Also make sure you tell them of a sinus condition. As soon as I did they included the humidifier. Also ask to try out different interfaces. Take some home with the loaner. Kaiser Was very accomadating to me and delayed ordering the final equipment until I had time to try out different masks.

I just (3 weeks ago) went through the same process with kaiser only in northern California. They said exactly the same thing. When I went in for the cpap they told me they needed to order it through Apria. I thought I would get it that day. They said it would take 4-5 days to receive the machine. When they found out I was 1 month post heart attack they let me take home a loaner. So if Denver is the same way, maybe you can talk them into a loaner as well. Also make sure you tell them of a sinus condition. As soon as I did they included the humidifier. Also ask to try out different interfaces. Take some home with the loaner. Kaiser Was very accomadating to me and delayed ordering the final equipment until I had time to try out different masks.

I cant be of a lot of help as we can't deal with Kaiser on any level, however, if you're close to my office I may be able to let you come by and try out some masks or give you some information. PM me if you feel this could help you.

humidifier will likely be billed separately. So look for that charge.
Find out if there will be any further monthly charges for the "basic" machine.
Find out exactly what the basic machine is. Make sure it is a fully data capable so educate yourself as to which machine is and is not.

ResMed Escape is nice and small BUT no data except hours of usage.
Respironics Plus has no data except hours of usage.
The basic Fisher and Playkel machine do not offer anything but compliance usage (hours of use)

Right now cpap.com has the Respironics M series auto unit with Aflex packaged with humidifier discounted for $580. It is like 2 machines in one. Will do auto and straight cpap. Heck of a price.

Do the math carefully with what your insurance wants to give you and what it costs over time.

I don't have Kaiser but I have used that DME in the Denver area. Keep a copy of everything. It's been a year since my bill was settled and now they are telling me I owe $180. When I called to inquire they told me it was because my insurance didn't cover the hose. (for $180 I could run a hose from the neighbor's house) I asked for an itemized bill and they went me a letter that said "Invoice such and such" and no details. My insurance company can't figure it out either, and the insurance was double billed for everything. If I had it to do all over again, I would have gotten a copy of the prescription and bought it all on cpap.com. I could have gotten what I wanted and not the bare bones model, and I wouldn't have fought with the DME for a year. Please feel free to PM me.

2 denver kaiser experiences I recall - probably are more

look for posts by SheZAAM! and d.green

h

Go up to the Search line and type in "Kaiser".......and then you can read what other people have experienced with them. I can't imagine that they've changed much over the years.

Good luck and do your homework.


Den

the two people I mention above were in the last year ------

shezaam got a basic cpap from them - no data - bought a better machine off craigslist

d.green got -------- screwed over big time

both denver kaiser - they use an inhouse dme I believe so they don't care about codes and all - just passing out crappy machines -

just wanted to say thanks for all of yhe help