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Getting CPAP Supplies in Rough Econony
Jerry D Quinn had this very timely and important question to ask of the group -- looking for any suggestions you all may have for him:
I am new to this very informative community and i have a question right off the bat! I have been using a cpap for 20 years now and i have always had a good job with health coverage. However this economy has taken its toll on me and i find myself unemployed and with no health coverage. So my question is, how and where do i get inexpensive masks,headgear,and hoses without putting myself in the woods living in a tent? thank you for allowing me to participate.
I am new to this very informative community and i have a question right off the bat! I have been using a cpap for 20 years now and i have always had a good job with health coverage. However this economy has taken its toll on me and i find myself unemployed and with no health coverage. So my question is, how and where do i get inexpensive masks,headgear,and hoses without putting myself in the woods living in a tent? thank you for allowing me to participate.
Views: 205
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jan on
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Is there some place for arranging for either swaps or donations? For example, my mask comes with three different sized nasal pillows-- I'd be willing to give the extras to someone like Jerry who was in need. Likewise, I have extra hoses. It does make me crazy that someone could be on this therapy and have to give it up because of a change in job status.
Jan
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I have used cpapauction with great results...I have also used The CPAP shop.com. NIce folks!
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Go to cpaptalk.com and do a search on "mask roulette"
Post here what you need to see if someone else might have it and not need it.
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Permalink Reply by BleepingBeauty on
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Hi, Jerry.
I've had good luck buying equipment on www.cpapauction.com and CraigsList. You might also try your local http://www.freecycle.org/ (a swap site for pretty much anything/everything where you can make a request for a specific item; give stuff, get stuff, all free).
As already suggested, there are a few threads on www.cpaptalk.com that are devoted to mask swaps/exchanges (cushions and nasal pillows) and/or free mask trials. Best of luck. :-)
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I am glad you asked this question because, although my husband has insurance, there is a $2000 deductible and then it's only 60% after that. And of course I got my machine in December so I am having to pay out of pocket for it and not sure I will be able to keep afffording it much less the supplies you have to replace.
Also, I know this isn't related but I am new to the CPAP world. Is it normal to not feel a difference after 6 weeks on therapy? Most people I know raved on how they felt amazing the very first night of using it. I, however, didnt. I do have sinus problems and issues getting to sleep to begin with so I know that is probably a contributor but was curious how long I should try this before I should notice a difference. Thanks everyone!!
Debbie
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Your local DME provider may well disagree w/me - and your sleep doctor as well - but I don't let things go beyond one month before hitting them up for some help.
First off, what brand and model CPAP are you using? That will tell us if you have a fully data capable CPAP or not. If it is NOT fully data capable then I'm going to get personal and ask you what they are charging you for it. Total. Because if it is NOT fully data capable you may well be better off taking it back and buying a fully data capable CPAP from a good online DME supplier and quite likely for the same or quite possibly less money than you are paying now. Yep, the markup by local DME provider's who must deal w/insurances can be that high.
IF your CPAP is NOT fully data capable (just because it has a data card does NOT mean it is fully data capable) then your provider's RRT and your sleep doctor haven't got a clue as to WHY you are not seeing improvement by now. Your doctor will be making adjustments to your therapy "by guess and by gosh". Who the heck needs "by guess and by gosh" therapy??
Debbie Asbell said:I am glad you asked this question because, although my husband has insurance, there is a $2000 deductible and then it's only 60% after that. And of course I got my machine in December so I am having to pay out of pocket for it and not sure I will be able to keep afffording it much less the supplies you have to replace.
Also, I know this isn't related but I am new to the CPAP world. Is it normal to not feel a difference after 6 weeks on therapy? Most people I know raved on how they felt amazing the very first night of using it. I, however, didnt. I do have sinus problems and issues getting to sleep to begin with so I know that is probably a contributor but was curious how long I should try this before I should notice a difference. Thanks everyone!!
Debbie
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Permalink Reply by Kathy Priebe on
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Thank you for this. I too suffer from the bad economy and my husband lost his job and us - our health insurance...Thank you.
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We direct our patients to www.cpap.com, its a great site to buy supplies from. And please...make sure you check out the sleep lab/center/Dr. before you go. There are a lot of labs out there that only do the tests and throw you back to your doctor. This is a lifetime treatment for most people and you will want a doctor/center that is knowledgeable in sleep and can be there for you when you need them.
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Permalink Reply by Lesley Ludden on
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If you go back to the Sleep Center at which your CPAP titration was done, they most likely be more than happy to give you a mask at no cost. I do this a lot for my patients. More and more Sleep Centers are moving away from reusable masks and going with disposable masks, due to the increasing cost of cleaning them. Give the Sleep Center a call and ask if they'd be able to help you.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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I have pmed Mike and asked him to help me set up some guidelines for the swap group that we started. I still think it would be a great place to trade and swap items that members have and for those that need.
If you are interested in this group, please go and sign up and I will work on it this week-end to get it going.
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