So I pick up my new CPAP this morning. I'm told that the machine is monitored by the provider via the internet, supposedly by wifi. This gives a way for the provider to monitor the device usage, a requirement of the insurance companies. If not used 4 hours a night or used improperly, the insurance company will refuse to pay and I will be required to return the device or pay full price for it.

 

The problem I have is that it also records my sleep patterns. Now, that data is supposed to only to be used by my physician. I'm to remove the SD chip and take it with me on doctor visits, but to how is the insurance company going to determine proper usage without looking at my sleep patterns?

 

I asked, "What if I don't have wifi or I am someplace where there is no wifi?"

 

The technician says, "No worries. If the device cannot connect via wifi, it will connect via 4G."

So I pick up my new CPAP this morning. I'm told that the machine is monitored by the provider via the internet, supposedly by wifi. This gives a way for the provider to monitor the device usage, a requirement of the insurance companies. If not used 4 hours a night or used improperly, the insurance company will refuse to pay and I will be required to return the device or pay full price for it.

 

The problem I have is that it also records my sleep patterns. Now, that data is supposed to only to be used by my physician. I'm to remove the SD chip and take it with me on doctor visits, but to how is the insurance company going to determine proper usage without looking at my sleep patterns?

 

I asked, "What if I don't have wifi or I am someplace where there is no wifi?"

 

The technician says, "No worries. If the device cannot connect via wifi, it will connect via 4G."

 

Big Sleeping Brother

So I pick up my new CPAP this morning. I'm told that the machine is monitored by the provider via the internet, supposedly by wifi. This gives a way for the provider to monitor the device usage, a requirement of the insurance companies. If not used 4 hours a night or used improperly, the insurance company will refuse to pay and I will be required to return the device or pay full price for it.

 

The problem I have is that it also records my sleep patterns. Now, that data is supposed to only to be used by my physician. I'm to remove the SD chip and take it with me on doctor visits, but to how is the insurance company going to determine proper usage without looking at my sleep patterns?

 

I asked, "What if I don't have wifi or I am someplace where there is no wifi?"

 

The technician says, "No worries. If the device cannot connect via wifi, it will connect via 4G."

 

The doctor is able to report the compliance to the insurance company. The device company receives the data and if you hit the compliance level, you then become authorized to get new supplies.

 

Trust me, if you are on CPAP, the insurance company already knows what type of risk you are. They have agreed to underwrite your condition and apply the least restrictive cure, in this case, a CPAP machine.

 

The key is to not tell them you are overweight or have HBP....then you are certain to end up as Exhbit # 1 in the Death Panel Review.

I got my machine a little over a month ago and its the same way as far as using wifi or cell service. I used it every night unless I fall asleep before putting the mask on (only happened twice so far). I got a text feom the place where I got the machine that said congrats for using the machine for the first 30 days call or stop in to order supplies. I just have them ordered and sent to my house via UPS.

 

Side note: I was going to use FedEx but I was afraid I'd never seen my supplies :lol2: @Lawnboy13

Wonder if I can leave a wake up call on mine?

I got my machine a little over a month ago and its the same way as far as using wifi or cell service. I used it every night unless I fall asleep before putting the mask on (only happened twice so far). I got a text feom the place where I got the machine that said congrats for using the machine for the first 30 days call or stop in to order supplies. I just have them ordered and sent to my house via UPS.

 

Side note: I was going to use FedEx but I was afraid I'd never seen my supplies :lol2: @Lawnboy13

 

Some packages are more important than printer parts. @plantmanky LOL

The doctor is able to report the compliance to the insurance company. The device company receives the data and if you hit the compliance level, you then become authorized to get new supplies.

 

Trust me, if you are on CPAP, the insurance company already knows what type of risk you are. They have agreed to underwrite your condition and apply the least restrictive cure, in this case, a CPAP machine.

 

The key is to not tell them you are overweight or have HBP....then you are certain to end up as Exhbit # 1 in the Death Panel Review.

 

The CPAP provider and I are probably going to square off over supplies. I don't like the mask that came with the new machine and am using my old one. I have several of these and keep them well maintained and disinfected. The only thing I'll need is filters and occasional tubing, but I keep tubing disinfected and maintained, too.

The CPAP provider and I are probably going to square off over supplies. I don't like the mask that came with the new machine and am using my old one. I have several of these and keep them well maintained and disinfected. The only thing I'll need is filters and occasional tubing, but I keep tubing disinfected and maintained, too.

 

The supplies are a huge racket. I have been able to find my supplies on eBay. I've gotten new tubing for 30% cheaper and got 3 cushions (masks for some reason cannot be sold on EBay) for $30, which cost me $36 for just 1 through my insurance. I also got 12 filters for $10. I know buying the stuff this way doesn't help get my deductible fulfilled, but I've never met my deductible since it was raised 6 years ago.

 

I know a lot folks don't trust eBay, but the supplies I got were all new and have worked perfectly.

Got a bill today from my CPAP provider. $72 for CONTINUOUS POSI. What the heck is that? I'm going to contact my insurer. Something tells me this is for monitoring. Why do I have to take the chip to my primary every six months? I have to go to the doctor so he can gather my sleep data, and there is supposedly monitoring going on? Seems a bit redundant, doesn't it?

 

I am way under my deductible, so I had already dished out of pocket $600 for the machine and the doctor visits cost me $80, each.

 

What a racket. I'm in the wrong business.

 

Since this is all out of pocket, I've been getting my supplies from a place in Louisville, Best CPAP Price. All but the filter. I have to get that from the CPAP provider until I can source it someplace else.

@BirdBrain, I am overweight. However, my blood work came back last week all markers within healthy ranges, except my uric acid. Just like last year and the year before that and the year before that and ...

 

I tend to have low blood pressure as opposed to HBP. I also have a slower heart rate. My doctor tells me that's why I'm overweight, my metabolism just runs slower naturally. Nothing I can do about it, short of starving myself to death. That ain't happening. Increased exercise seems not to effect it. If I don't eat, my BP and pulse rate get lower. Doc does not want that. He's not worried about my weight, other that the wear and tear it puts on my joints. He's all in with the no carb thing.

 

The last stress test I had, they had a heck of a time getting my heart rate up. When my SpO2 got close to 90%, the tech called the test off because my pulse only got up to 115. The target for my age, at the time, was 139. They ended up having to do it chemically.

 

If I had to guess, I probably have the very beginning stages of COPD or some other type of pulmonary problem. Lungers, tend to require CPAP and BiPAP more than overweight people do. I did smoke heavily for 20+ years. My father's pulmonary doctor always said, "The lungs never forget."

Got a bill today from my CPAP provider. $72 for CONTINUOUS POSI. What the heck is that? I'm going to contact my insurer. Something tells me this is for monitoring. Why do I have to take the chip to my primary every six months? I have to go to the doctor so he can gather my sleep data, and there is supposedly monitoring going on? Seems a bit redundant, doesn't it?

 

I am way under my deductible, so I had already dished out of pocket $600 for the machine and the doctor visits cost me $80, each.

 

What a racket. I'm in the wrong business.

 

Since this is all out of pocket, I've been getting my supplies from a place in Louisville, Best CPAP Price. All but the filter. I have to get that from the CPAP provider until I can source it someplace else.

 

I'd give Ebay a shot. I got a years supply of filters for my machine for $10