CPAP users

[ruxCYtable]

Anyone ever tried the site easybreathe.com? I was diagnosed with sleep apnea a couple years ago but never followed through on it. Now they want me to come in and do another sleep study to get a CPAP. F that. This site says for $99 you fill out a questionnaire and they have a doctor review and prescribe CPAP without a sleep study.

Just wondered if anyone else tried it and if it was legit.

 

[rbrook]

The sleep study is needed so that they know how much air pressure they need to program into the CPAP machine. It's not that bad, just do it.

 

[CRcyclone6]

I was diagnosed in 2000 with sleep apnea, did sleep studies and all that. tried a cpap and just couldn't do it. I was only 30 at the time and no way did I want to wear that thing the rest of my life. I ended up having surgery in 2002 to correct the issue and have been fine since. It was very painful recovery though. I had tonsils, uvula, soft palate removed , and base of my tongue "shaved" down. Had to spend the night in intensive care. Was a success though.

 

[ruxCYtable]

The sleep study is needed so that they know how much air pressure they need to program into the CPAP machine. It's not that bad, just do it.

That is my point. I already did the sleep study and have it in hand. I know exactly what pressure is needed. I don't want to do it again.

 

[cyinne]

I did a "take home" sleep study. I was sent home with a machine that is hooked up to your nose to read your breathing patterns throughout the night and clip for your finger to read your pulse/oxygen. I failed miserably and found that I needed my tonsils out because that was causing my apnea. Got them suckers out and problem solved.

See if the take home version is a good option.

 

[rbrook]

That is my point. I already did the sleep study and have it in hand. I know exactly what pressure is needed. I don't want to do it again.

OK. Then that might work. Good luck.

 

[twistedredbird]

My wife has a CPAP, and if you are getting it covered by insurance, I would check with them on usage/appropriate place to get it. We have BCBS, and for continued "coverage" of adjustments/machine parts, etc., she has to take the machine in periodically to get the reports off of it, and she has to average at least 6 hours of sleep a day.

 

[Leidang]

After I had my sleep study my general physician wrote me a lifetime prescription for my CPAP. I've had it for about 7 years now and have not had to go back for another study. I get my machine and masks through Mercy in DSM and have United Health Care insurance.

You might try just having your Dr. write you a prescription.

 

[everyyard]

The doctor can prescribe whatever he wants, it is your insurance that will require an up to date sleep study. Not your doctors fault you didn't follow through with it and your insurance isn't going to accept an out of date test to cover a lifelong cpap need.

 

[Leidang]

So you might need to check with your insurance to make sure how it works.

I've gotten 3 new machines, 2 masks a year, plus misc straps and filters and all has been covered by my insurance over the last 7 years without a repeat sleep test.

 

[everyyard]

So you might need to check with your insurance to make sure how it works.

I've gotten 3 new machines, 2 masks a year, plus misc straps and filters and all has been covered by my insurance over the last 7 years without a repeat sleep test.

Yes, but you probably got the cpap right after your test, the OP did not, and that is why he is going to have to repeat it.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

I work in Durable Medical Equipment Billing. You're going to have to have another study. Insurance isn't going to pay for it without documentation that it is a current need, they don't care if you had a study done last month that you didn't follow up on.

I've seen way too many people try to do the online thing, receive their machine and then be stuck with a $4000 bill because the insurer didn't recognize the doctor or the study. You can return the machine, but you still get stuck with $500 worth of supplies that can't be returned and a charge for each day that the machine was out.

It sucks, but get the study done...

 

[ruxCYtable]

I work in Durable Medical Equipment Billing. You're going to have to have another study. Insurance isn't going to pay for it without documentation that it is a current need, they don't care if you had a study done last month that you didn't follow up on.

I've seen way too many people try to do the online thing, receive their machine and then be stuck with a $4000 bill because the insurer didn't recognize the doctor or the study. You can return the machine, but you still get stuck with $500 worth of supplies that can't be returned and a charge for each day that the machine was out.

It sucks, but get the study done...

Here's the thing. I don't want to have to mess with the insurer, having to constantly bring the SD card from the thing in to have it read, etc. I'm willing to pay cash fort he machine to avoid that.

 

[IlliniCy]

I've had one for a year now. Changed my life. Get it done.

 

[Cycsk]

My doctor keeps pushing this on me, apparently just because I told her that my wife says I snore a lot, even though I don't think I'm having any trouble sleeping.

 

[1UNI2ISU]

That's certainly an option, but supplies over time get pretty expensive. $200+ for a mask, $50 every 4-6 months for pillows, $25 every 4-6 months for tubing, etc.

If you and/or your family get close to your deductible anyway, use insurance because a lot of those supplies end up free. If you don't push your deductible, cash is certainly more reasonable, but I would probably still go the insurance route...

 

[cyclone13]

My doctor keeps pushing this on me, apparently just because I told her that my wife says I snore a lot, even though I don't think I'm having any trouble sleeping.

Sleep apnea is not trouble of sleeping, but not having "real" or "deep" sleep. When someone suffers from sleep apnea, he/she actually doesn't "sleep" during the sleep, resulting in fatigue, sleepiness, etc.