Sleep Apnea-CPAP and Equipment – Read this before you buy…

            About three years ago, I found out that I have Sleep Apnea.  Sleep Apnea is a common disorder in which you have one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.  Snoring can also be a symptom.  Many people don’t even know that they have it. It can affect your mood, health and even make you feel tired throughout the day.

            When I was diagnosed, I was informed that I would need a CPAP, which is a machine that helps regulate your breathing. So I went to get a CPAP and found out that I could rent to own the machine with a humidifier, but it would cost $2,500!  It came out to be about $250 a month and the insurance that I had wouldn’t help.

            About a year and a half later I found out that I could purchase all of the equipment online for significantly less.  For example, recently I was able to purchase a new cushion and a hose for under $50 including shipping.  At one of the local medical supply stores this would cost upwards of $200!

            Now, if you have good insurance, some of these costs can be minimal on much of this equipment.  This includes things like a new cushion, hose, etc. ever three to six months.  Don’t forget that you may have to meet a deductable on you insurance.  The thing with many of these websites that I have been to offer insurance claim forms.  You may be able to work with your insurance company for reimbursement. However, most insurance companies won’t accept these insurance claims. These websites are “strictly a cash for product, self purchase website” as quoted from one of the websites.

            If you are going to purchase a CPAP machine you may save greatly by using these websites.  If you have insurance it might be worthwhile to go to your local medical supply store to purchase it there and pay the deductable.  In my opinion, if you have no insurance or horrible insurance a website like cpap.com would be the way to go. Even if you have good insurance you may even end up saving money by purchasing either the CPAP itself or accessories from websites. This is what I do to this day.

            Not sure if you have Sleep Apnea?  Talk with your Doctor. He/She may recommend that you take a sleep study so that they can monitor you to see if you do have sleep apnea.  They will be able to present you with different options to treat this condition from surgery to getting a CPAP.

Links:

CPAP.com

WebMD.com

*Picture courtesy of firebeater.com*

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