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Getting a CPAP Quickly?

A friend was just diagnosed with sleep apnea and was told he wouldn't receive a CPAP until February. He was caught off guard and only found out because the sleep study was required for a separate Speicial Issuance. Does anyone have experience with this? Is there a way to get the CPAP sooner, or even get a temporary device? Other ideas?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonvoyage (Post 3477194)

Amazon

Filler

Is this from actual experience, or do you answer every question this way?

Many online stores where you can buy it, but you’ll need a prescription and pay out of pocket. If you go through the insurance, then it takes forever.

In my town my ex-wife went to a family doctor and was prescribed a sleep study through a local CPAP provider. If I remember a monthly subscription followed but it was affordable. Might go that route.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AxlF16 (Post 3477190)

A CPAP is one sleep apnea therapy method, there are other methods that are effective as well. Has he looked into these other methods yet as an alternative to a CPAP?

The non compliance rate after prescription of CPAP is sufficiently high that some insurance companies want documentation of use by a rental unit for anywhere from 30 days to three months before they will actually buy you one. Medicare does the same. It’s the same reason that the FAA wants compliance data from your AME.

https://i.ibb.co/5vvQhLf/CC3-C7-F5-C...-C085-ABF7.jpg

Almost half of these machines get used five or six times and then get put away in a closet on newly diagnosed patients who aren’t compelled to use them.

Quote:

RESULTS:

Patient demographics included mean (± SD) age (58±11 years), male sex (70 of 80 patients [88%]) and mean apnea-hypopnea index (70±44 events/h). At the time of the interview (64.0±3.7 months after diagnosis), 43 of 80 patients (54%) were still using CPAP and most reported an improvement in symptoms. Twelve of 80 patients (15%) had abandoned CPAP after using it for 10.1±15.5 months, and 25 of 80 patients (31%) had never commenced therapy after initial diagnosis and CPAP titration. Analysis of scores reflecting initial patient sleepiness revealed a significant association of this symptom with subsequent CPAP compliance.

CONCLUSION:

Although many patients with OSA derive subjective benefit from, and adhere to treatment with CPAP, a significant proportion of those so diagnosed either do not initiate or eventually abandon therapy. Initial experience with CPAP appears to be important, reinforcing the need for early education and support in these patients

Thanks. I'll pass this along👍

Apparently Philips had a defect in theirs and they are rushing to replace like 2 millions machines. So I suspect there is a shortage right now besides the usual supply chain excuses lately.