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I think there are a few reasons:

1. Sleep Drs are told by DMEs that their isn't a billing code for APAPs. (Truth is there is, it's the same code as for a basic CPAP.)

2. Sleep Drs are told by DMEs that APAPs cost too much. (APAPs do cost more. The Dr shouldn't be concerned with cost.)

3. APAPs make follow-up visits less important. Sleep labs don't like that because future sleep studies will become less important.

4. The algorithm isn't consistent across the different brands. (That's fine but why doesn't the Dr just RX the same machine to all of his patients?)

In general, I think most of it has to do with money - keeping more of yours.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

Goofproof wrote:[
Farming 103, You collect the three eggs a day you can't eat due to your poor digestive system and sell them on the street corner and use the funds for a operation or a cheaper chicken. Jim

Jim~

You just made me laugh really hard! It seems SOMEBODY is a little cranky and possibly needs more time on the hose!

Suzy

DME_Guy wrote:I think there are a few reasons:

1. Sleep Drs are told by DMEs that their isn't a billing code for APAPs. (Truth is there is, it's the same code as for a basic CPAP.)

2. Sleep Drs are told by DMEs that APAPs cost too much. (APAPs do cost more. The Dr shouldn't be concerned with cost.)

3. APAPs make follow-up visits less important. Sleep labs don't like that because future sleep studies will become less important.

4. The algorithm isn't consistent across the different brands. (That's fine but why doesn't the Dr just RX the same machine to all of his patients?)

In general, I think most of it has to do with money - keeping more of yours.

_________________

First HONEST answer I've seen on this topic from a DME ever. Hit the nail right on the head DME_Guy did.

If one reads some of the other posts here where their Primary doctor wrote their script... you know where they have NO financial interest in kickbacks from the DME or Sleep lab, doctors have no problem writing a script for an autopap. It seems only the sleep specialist is opposed to the autopap (it takes money out of their pocket).

Once you have a Sleep Study in hand for the diagnosis, that is all your Primary doctor needs they can write a Rx script for cpap from that and you can buy the machine where ever you want. The script doesn't even have to say autopap on it, a cpap one will work.

My primary doctor was already aware of the sleep industry "scam" and had several elderly patients on cpap. His office referred me to the sleep clinic/lab but warned me ahead of time on how they operate. The sleep clinic sent over the PSG results to him, I met with the Sleep doc who discussed the PSG (charged $570 for the interpretation of it) then wrote a script for straight cpap ONLY, no humidifier or anything.

I took his script back to my Primary where he tossed it in the trash and rewrote it for the autopap I wanted (which was really not needed). I haven't been back to the sleep doc or lab in over 5 years. They hate to see patients who are knowledgeable on the subject as they know they won't be back for the scam.

Nation-wide insurance seems to be the biggest contributor and scam artist of this industry, they pay 3-4 times MORE for equipment through contracts with Apria and others. The smart consumer can purchase the same equipment for 1/3 less, yet they prevented from doing so because of those contracts. It is how they justify those ripoff insurance rates we all pay. And there is no end in sight. Check and see who runs these insurance companies, all doctors, the good ole boy network.

If we had a congressman with at least a half a brain, not on the take from the medical industry, they could figure this all out in about 5-minutes. But we don't appear we have a single honest congressman in the bunch.

I've been on cpap/autopap for over 5 years, haven't been back to the Sleep Specialist or sleep lab since. They hate patients like me.

If I understand GoofyUT's point correctly, it's not as much that the $3.35/3 egg chicken makes some patients sick, although that's true, but that there's no concrete proof that the $3.35 chicken really lays three eggs when the $3 chicken lays one egg. He said that there is no proof that apap is more effective than cpap, which means to me that maybe the $3.35 chicken also lays only one egg. So why pay the increase? i'm not taking sides here; it's just that if what GoofyUT says is true, then it makes sense why sleep docs don't wholesaledly prefer apaps.

Caroline

pratzert, here are links to some additional interesting reading about some doctors' negative attitudes toward autopaps. There are doctors who quite honestly feel that autopaps are not technologically advanced enough "yet" to deliver good treatment. Probably a rather high percentage of doctors who hold that belief are basing their belief on some rather old studies of earlier autopaps -- studies that were not using today's machines.

Mar 05, 2005 subject: Finally slept through the whole night....

Feb 19, 2005 subject: "Sleep Doctor" doesn't like autopaps 5 page discussion

On the overpricing of CPAP and APAP, as the RT was finishing his speech on my machine, he mentioned not to check the machine as luggage on an airplane (which I already knew) since it would cost $3500 to replace it if they broke or lost it.

I didn't bother arguing with him. No purpose. That is pretty funny, a REMSTAR auto and a Ultra Mirage FF $3500? Try $900 max. On top of that they are billing my insurance $1400. Boy they must be stupid to only bill $1400 for a $3500 setup!! (being sarcastic if you can't figure this out)

What kind of idiot does this guy think I am?

Snoredog wrote:
If one reads some of the other posts here where their Primary doctor wrote their script... you know where they have NO financial interest in kickbacks from the DME or Sleep lab, doctors have no problem writing a script for an autopap.

Kickbacks do happen.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... d=rssfeeds

DME_Guy wrote:

Snoredog wrote:
If one reads some of the other posts here where their Primary doctor wrote their script... you know where they have NO financial interest in kickbacks from the DME or Sleep lab, doctors have no problem writing a script for an autopap.

Kickbacks do happen.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medical ... d=rssfeeds