Any veterans? VA and CPAP questions

I am a retiring Air Force officer - going on terminal leave in mid-May - official retirement July 1st. Got my CPAP through TRICARE active duty in early April. It is an earlier model - "remstar plus c-flex" - that unfortunately only records hours of use. I'd like to upgrade to a better model with more data available......will the VA do that after I retire? Or should I pursue while still on active duty? Any ideas how to do this - should I get letter from my primary care doc requesting a specific model CPAP?

Also, anyone with experience transitioning to VA healthcare - do they cover supplies?

Thanks to all....

Air Force Officer wrote:I am a retiring Air Force officer - going on terminal leave in mid-May - official retirement July 1st. Got my CPAP through TRICARE active duty in early April. It is an earlier model - "remstar plus c-flex" - that unfortunately only records hours of use. I'd like to upgrade to a better model with more data available......will the VA do that after I retire? Or should I pursue while still on active duty? Any ideas how to do this - should I get letter from my primary care doc requesting a specific model CPAP?

Also, anyone with experience transitioning to VA healthcare - do they cover supplies?

Thanks to all....

I'm not sure about the transition from Tricare to VA and how that would be handled. You'll definitley want to bring your records, including a copy of the sleep study and prescription when you do switch. The VA does treat sleep apnea and they do a pretty good job of it so I would say it is possible that you could get the upgraded machine.

For me, they did two sleep studies and then bought me an ASV machine with supplies. I saw the bill...it was $3,000 for the machine alone. In any case, my sleep apnea was getting so bad that I credit them with saving my life.

The DME told me the VA authorizes new supplies every 6 months (new mask/filters, etc). However, if a mask breaks before reaching the 6 months, you would just need to let the DME you're assigned to know and they'll order a replacement, and within a day or two it will be approved. I keep an old mask around as a spare so I don't have to go without for those few days while waiting for a new one.

Good luck!

I'm not retired but was able to join the VA because of when I was in the military. My VA unit only has the resmed S9 autoset. You can get your masks every 6 months. I use the quattro fx and they don't supply cushions. They say that for them it's easier & less expensive to give a new mask every 6 months.
I brought my cpap paper work from my civilian Doctor to my VA Doctor and was given a new Resmed S9 autoset & a new mask. I am about to try the
swift fx ( I would love to try the aloha but they don't carry that mask) I'm curious if they supply nazzle cushions. I see the sleep apnea unit once a year.
They have been good to me.

Keep in mind that xPAP equipment and supplies can be purchased online for a fraction of what a DME would charge. At some point your frustration of getting the VA to provide something may be large enough to prompt you to spend your own money to buy something. The sponsers of of our forum, cpap.com are reliable and have good prices. No, I do not work for them, just a customer and poster here. Having a copy of your sleep study can solve a lot of hesitations of others to provide treatment or for a doc to provide script to get supplies (like a hose when you are out of town, on down the road. Grab a copy of your sleep titration study if you get the opportunity. VA has a rep for losing records. If the VA gets really slow about being helpful to u, some people have found it useful to contact the office of their local Congressional Representatives to help focus the VA on doing their job. Thank U for doing what U did to protect the rest of us.

http://www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm
This link will help you with getting to know what you are entitled to.

My insurance picks up most of the tab and the VA picks up the co-pay. The equipment is top notch, but to get in touch with a doctor can be a bit of an adventure, at times.

I have been in the system, on and off, since 1956. Regularly since 1990. You have to keep after them to get things done, sometimes.

I find that, so far, it doesn't look like the doctors know that much about Sleep Apnea. At least they have not conveyed it to me, as of yet.

I had my first sleep study 2 yrs ago. I had the 2nd on last Nov. I couldn't get myself to wear a mask for about the first year. No one seemed concerned. There were questions on my pressure settings and if it weren't for Pugsy and this forum, I'd still be in limbo.

I am thankful for the medical treatment and the money they save me, but that doesn't stop me from griping.

The DME that we have SUCKS. They are only interested in sucking the VA dry. It took them 20 months to send in my SD card to the VA for my compliance.

If it were me, I would get what I could while still in the service. It may help you later when you get into the VA system.

VA will order it for you. The have to. All they have to do is order it from Respcare who seems to be easy to order from (went through this for the wife). Divilbliss has them too, but they were all sold out of them when my DME tried to order. Our DME had never even heard of it when we called to order it. Since we have our original orders on file, we can get any mask we want every 6 months. we alternate every 3 months. The VA is just like any other DME. They will try to sell you what they have in stock.

neverbetter wrote:VA will order it for you. The have to. All they have to do is order it from Respcare who seems to be easy to order from (went through this for the wife). Divilbliss has them too, but they were all sold out of them when my DME tried to order. Our DME had never even heard of it when we called to order it. Since we have our original orders on file, we can get any mask we want every 6 months. we alternate every 3 months. The VA is just like any other DME. They will try to sell you what they have in stock.

My VA has the CPAP machines, but I still have to go through a DME to get the masks etc.

even better

Being retired has nothing to do with the VA beni...what you need to do first and foremost is get your service connection done up...the best way to do this is through DAV web site (cannot post a link here) helping you sine they are well trained and know the rules to get you what your owed for your service to our Nation. Since you had the diagnosis of Sleep Apnea before retirement, it will be easy to have it found to be SC. When something is SC or you are over the magic number of 50% everything is free- drugs, care, equipment, visits, travel…it is provided to you….so you’ll get a machine (if it needs to be replaced) for free and all the equipment you need…EVERYTHING…but get in contact with the closest DAV service officer and get that filed ASAP….also get into the VA system ASAP…I get hearing aids, CPAP, shoes with prosthetics, etc for free as a disabled Vet at 80%....
As a disabled Combat Veteran (USAF K-9 Handler) and a VA employee I want to thank you for your service and let you know I am there for you if you have any questions….the DAV however is the best route to take….BTW the VA is in a hiring a Veteran mode right now, go to the local VA and bring your DD FM214 and a resume’

You probably want to start at http://www.va.gov/onlineapps.htm I'm a veteran and current Civil Service employee, so haven't used VA benefits, yet. If you qualify for DAV, that site is http://www.dav.org

Bobby269 wrote: use the quattro fx and they don't supply cushions. They say that for them it's easier & less expensive to give a new mask every 6 months.

I think 3 cushions would be about the same price as one QFX and it would make more sense to have the cushions because they wear out long before anything else does. I'd rather have the 3 cushions every 6 months rather than a new mask.

But, it's the government and what they do doesn't always make sense.

You've probably gotten all the advice you need here but it won't hurt to check out the Military section at apneasupport.com
Its under the Sleep Apnea Help board.