Quote:
Originally Posted by Caymus
Do you know what the Medicare charges for the machine and supplies would be? My current ResMed was obtained while I was on private health insurance. I found that out of pocket replacement parts from Amazon were more convenient and less expensive than from the original provider. I notice that I can buy a new CPAP machine online (including a "prescription") for less than I paid originally in insurance deductibles. I would also not need to prove that I met the reimbursement usage levels.
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I did the same thing for 10-12 years. Once I decided to let Medicare pay for everything, I had to go through the process. You'll have check with your Insurer to ascertain the deductible for durable medical equipment. I think I paid around $200, but that's a guess.
You'll need a new sleep study and a new prescription. I understand you can do the sleep study at home.
You can select your own provider, usually for the sleep study and for the equipment. Contact your PCP and he can simply send the order to whoever you specify for the sleep study and have who ever performs the sleep study, send the resultant prescription to the equipment provider you want to use. You can also choose what CPAP machine you want and your provider will get it for you.
Next think you know, you'll have a brand new CPAP and be bombarded with free supplies. Medicare authorizes a ridiculous amount of supplies & parts replacements.
The whole secret in my opinion, is getting the right "mask". Your equipment provider is REQUIRED by Medicare, to send a person out to you, to "train" you on CPAP use and help with mask selection. You'll normally get 30 days to test drive a mask and if you don't like it, you can get another one.
I don't use heat or the humidifier, they're a PITA and unnecessary in my opinion. if you don't use water, you won't have to deal with all the cleaning BS. I clean mine, *maybe* once ever month or two and don't have any issues.
I have severe Apnea, with 100's of events/night. With CPAP, no humidifier, nor moisturizing, I average less than 1 event/hour. The goal is to be under 5.