05-01-2017, 04:21 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-01-2017, 04:40 PM by smiledog.)
RE: Insurance question
Redswife, If I had to do it again I would diffidently get a 2nd opinion. Talk to some people on this forum about using the humidifier. That helped me with stuffiness. What I'm about to tell took place 15-20yrs ago and was connected to my sleep apnea Dr.at that time. I have had many surgery's over the years, and I've learned if a doctor gets offended because of a 2nd opinion SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT. It is a very painful surgery.
Now back to the other topic I have replied on about insurance company's and DME company's. I just spoke to my insurance company. I wanted to clarify some things my DME has been telling me. 1. is it normal for a DME to give me a mask that parts are missing and saying they have to get approval from my insurance company? No the mask should come in a sealed container with all the parts! My insurance does not have a time frame on when I can get supplies like masks,filters, hoses. This is not true for all insurance company's but is for mine. 2. As long as the DME is in network I do not have to use the one the Dr. says. 3.(this is all insurance company's) I spoke to the head of the medical department as long as you use your machine minimum 4 hr a night and at least 21 day per month. You are complaint. Has nothing to do with the pressures the DME or the Dr. sets in your machine. 4. After getting off the phone with my insurance company, I called my Dr. and requested all of my records. (unfortunately now days this is a must do). Not 2 minutes after hanging up, I get a call from DME saying I can come get any mask I wanted. My insurance company wasted no time correcting them. I have learned most of this from this forum. Set up Sleephead and a Imgur account, post some stat's. Some of the older members will help you set your machine. I would try that way before I would let anyone cut on me.
I had the Resmed AirSense 10 auto before he changed me to the AirCurve 10 vauto. I had to adjust the AirSense pressures and humidifier to help keep the stuffy's away. Once I found that happy spot I had no more issues with being stuffed up. With my Air Curve 10 vauto. I truly believe I was set up to fail, so when I went back to see the Dr. they could get more $$$ from me and my insurance company.
I don't know where you live, but here in the deep South the pollen is very heavy right now. My GP put me on a script that helps me to breath at night.
I would rather try a pill over a knife any day.
"I say, you work eight hours, and you sleep eight hours - be sure they're not the same eight hours."
RE: Insurance question
^^seconded. I have a deviated septum, and easily use nasal therapy with nasal pillows (Resmed airfit P10). At this point I would not consider undergoing surgery to correct something that I can live with.
RE: Insurance question
I'm going to chime in here. I had a severely deviated septum. Caused chronic sinus infections it was so bad.
Had the surgery done, yes it is not a pleasant thing. Did it help, in my case, yes. But wasn't a complete fix.
If you can breathe through both sides of your nose, I couldn't. I wouldn't do it unless it's really bad.
Pap therapy has been the biggest help for me.
I won't even start on my DME experience to much to type.
But I do wish you luck an hope everything goes smoothly for you.
RE: Insurance question
Redswife, Look at the bottom of Sleepriders post about setting up Sleephead, Imgur. and how to set up screenshots to give the older members what they need to help you. I am still to new to walk you through it. But the instruction are simple.
"I say, you work eight hours, and you sleep eight hours - be sure they're not the same eight hours."
RE: Insurance question
93 as we speak. The ice is supposed to break on Friday - temp hits 100 for the first time. The problem with the dry heat is you can get dehydrated in a heartbeat. We see a lot of that with folks who go hiking during the summer. Highs will be in the 110 range in June. When monsoons start in July the temps drop a little, but the humidity goes up.