Gear pickup tomorrow...what to ask?

I'm recently diagnosed and have been to two sleep studies. The second one was titration and according to the doc was very successful.

The sleep clinic ordered equipment for me based on their assessment of what would work well for me plus my insurance coverage etc.

I go tomorrow (Friday 5/28) to pick it up and get instruction on using it.

Other than obvious things like comfortable mask fit, what questions should I ask, or what should I be looking out for? Any suggestions?

Thanks a million!

you need to call them and ask what machine you will be getting (get actual brand and model name and number not just that is had a card for example)

you want a data capable one I assume - if you report back to us what machine we can tell you if it is a good one or not and what to ask for based on the brand they carry

there is a list of data capable machines on the forum - someone can connect you with one

Lowbee wrote:I'm recently diagnosed and have been to two sleep studies. The second one was titration and according to the doc was very successful.

The sleep clinic ordered equipment for me based on their assessment of what would work well for me plus my insurance coverage etc.

I go tomorrow (Friday 5/28) to pick it up and get instruction on using it.

Other than obvious things like comfortable mask fit, what questions should I ask, or what should I be looking out for? Any suggestions?

Thanks a million!

Welcome to the forum.

In those words, I can foresee possible problems in YOU trying to get a data-capable machine of YOUR choice for YOUR therapy. I detect that there may be a "connection" between the sleep lab and the DME supply store (possible conflict of interest). They may try to maximize their profits at the expense of your therapy. They also may try to tell you that your insurance won't pay for such a machine......if they do, they're lying.

If you haven't been thoroughly reading this forum about "data-capable machines", you've got a lot of studying to do ASAP.

Here's a link to rested gal's list to help you get started:

viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168


Den

They told me it is a Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle 200. The mask they have is a Respironics EasyLife but she said I can choose a different one if I don't like that one.

what will the model be - 200 is too vague - just refers to a series of machines not a specific model

Yeah, I just figured that out about the series/model number.

They did say that this would be 100% covered by my insurance.

jules wrote: you want a data capable one I assume - if you report back to us what machine we can tell you if it is a good one or not and what to ask for based on the brand they carry

That is a basic auto machine. No data from what I can tell. You might want to tell them that you want at least a SleepStyle 254.

Allen

doesn't have to be an auto - could be just a cpap

Lowbee,

how cooperative of a doctor do you have to rewrite the script?

Lowbee wrote:They told me it is a Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle 200. The mask they have is a Respironics EasyLife but she said I can choose a different one if I don't like that one.

Like I said....... Start reading!!!
Do NOT take what they push your way without doing your homework.
They're going to try to give you a machine that costs a couple of hundred dollars and charge your insurance several thousand. If you have deductibles and co-pays, you will pay dearly for THEIR choices.

Only one or two of the F&P machines are fully data-capable.
What's your pressure supposed to be?
The F&P machines don't have exhale relief (ResMed and Philips/Respironics machines have EPR or C-Flex) if you're going to be using a higher pressure than about 10 cm.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/all-CPAP

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-compare-chart/nasal-cpap-mask


Den

Lowbee wrote:Yeah, I just figured that out about the series/model number.

They did say that this would be 100% covered by my insurance.

Do NOT trust what "THEY" say.......find out yourself from your insurance provider.


Den

Hello; Lowbee

WELCOME !! My suggestion to you and i believed that you will find other's to agree is to get a Data Capable machine so you can keep better track on your therapy,at this time i dont know if the model that youre getting is data capable you might want to speak to your doctor about it.Another thing that i suggest is for you to obtain a copy of your Sleep Study and a copy of your doctor's Script,this way you can see the exact Number's of your study .And also with the (Script) you can purchase other equip (Mask's) of the internet stores if you want..Do your Homework.In this forum pretty much everything you need to know about Cpap,Dme's Doctor's and how to approach them is in here posted in this forum it will greatly help you in the near future with other issues.........And REMEMBER we are allway's here to help youre not alone in this !


Good Luck Tomorrow: Phil M



List all your Equipment when you get it, like that we can further help you in the future ..

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions everyone.

I'm so glad i discovered this forum.

Update: I have another call in to the lab to find out model specifics. I have spoken to the insurance company and I am thoroughly covered at 100%.

I will get whatever specifics I can from the lab today and tomorrow.

I'll say one thing...after the second night I spent there, for titration, I felt *really really* good all that day. Rested, alert... I wondered if it was just wishful thinking, but if I can get the same results at home, I'll be *very* happy.

Lowbee wrote:Thanks for all the helpful suggestions everyone.

I'm so glad i discovered this forum.

Update: I have another call in to the lab to find out model specifics. I have spoken to the insurance company and I am thoroughly covered at 100%.

I will get whatever specifics I can from the lab today and tomorrow.

I'll say one thing...after the second night I spent there, for titration, I felt *really really* good all that day. Rested, alert... I wondered if it was just wishful thinking, but if I can get the same results at home, I'll be *very* happy.

Then there should be NO reason why you could not get a much better, fully-data-capable machine to monitor your therapy.


Den

HMO?

check your insurance and see what DME's you can use --and if you are stuck with this one -