Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 I have Kaiser-Permanente's "Senior Advantage" for my Medicare replacement. Trying to figure out if they cover any part of CPAP supplies costs. Lady in "Client Services" couldn't figure it out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pay Dirt Norvelle #90056 Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 I have Kaiser Senior Advantage and Kaiser pays 100% for my CPAP machine and supplies. I am somewhat surprised that they couldn't tell you what your coverage was. Did you try what is called the business office here in Santa Clara County. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 No longer have Kaiser but a really good CPAP is relatively inexpensive. I use the ResMed Air Sense 10 with a built in humidifier (I have 2, one for travel one for home) Insurance paid for one with a $44 monthly rental for me to pay for 12 months. ($528 to me.) basic machine, humidifier, extra mask, cleaning brush, carry case, extra filters (3), SD card, power unit and plain hose. When I got the reconciliation from the provider my $528 + $1,499 from the insurer total $2,028 I bought the second from CPAP.com for $1025 out of pocket but that included above plus a second humidifier reservoir, blocking plate if I wanted to not use humidifier, heated hose, 12 volt battery converter, international plug in converter, total of 3 masks, 6 filters, airline medical tags, one year of supplies like additional filters, cleaner for the humidifier and 3 year replacement insurance as well as 2nd day air shipping. Before when I had Kaiser they were Respironics Remstar units and were 100% covered after an initial rental period (so long ago don't remember what $$$ that was) but I bought one to keep in the truck and they were in the neighborhood of $300 or so without the humidifier system. Not nearly as nice but very functional. Regards Gateway Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Awrighty, Pay Dirt! That is encouraging news indeed! I'll call again tomorrow... I must've gotten someone new on the phone when I last called. Down to my last mask - almost ordered one online today, but damn! Hundred eighty some bucks for a plastic mask?? That's nuts. Found one on Amazon for something like fifty bucks... some off-brand, with free delivery sometime around mid-June. Gateway, thanks for the information. I actually have three machines... it's the "supplies" (mask, hose, filters) that I'm needing. Thanks, Guys~!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 I got an Rx from my Kaiser doctor, but the CPAP hardware the plan covered was junk. I bought a Respironics model with the water tank and optional heat. I don't use the heat because the excess humidity fills the mask and gives you a bath when you roll over. My wife fabricated a wonderful flannel sock for the tube and secured with a zip tie on each end. This is a vast improvement in comfort with cold nights. My Respironics is really old, and tired out. It needs a rebuild because the pressure has dropped. However, it is still good enough... dunno if rebuild kits are available or not. It was pricey back then, don't know about now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 16 hours ago, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said: No longer have Kaiser but a really good CPAP is relatively inexpensive. Relative to what?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 Got 'er done ~ Thanks again, Pay Dirt! Wasn't painless - it took no fewer than nine calls to Apria and dealing with the most annoying "for this, press that" routine, plus being told four times by a machine that their system was having problems so 'Bye! But done, for the princely sum of thirty-eight bucks co-pay, with delivery in two to four days. I'm happy! 52 minutes ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Relative to what?? Mebbe a Shiloh '74...? Them boogers ain't cheap! Markup on 'em is absurd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 1 minute ago, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: Got 'er done ~ Thanks again, Pay Dirt! Wasn't painless - it took no fewer than nine calls to Apria and dealing with the most annoying "for this, press that" routine, plus being told four times by a machine that their system was having problems so 'Bye! But done, for the princely sum of thirty-eight bucks co-pay, with delivery in two to four days. I'm happy! Mebbe a Shiloh '74...? Them boogers ain't cheap! Markup on 'em is absurd. Yeah. Mine was squealing something awful. But Medicare wouldn’t pay for a new on seeing as how it was still putting out positive pressure, therefore according to them, it wasn’t broken. Had to get one out of my own pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share Posted April 16, 2020 2 minutes ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Yeah. Mine was squealing something awful. But Medicare wouldn’t pay for a new on seeing as how it was still putting out positive pressure, therefore according to them, it wasn’t broken. Had to get one out of my own pocket. *Ouch!* How old was it? Medicare will replace at five years. If it was less than that, jump on their replacement at the original five-year mark and have a backup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted April 16, 2020 Share Posted April 16, 2020 2 hours ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Relative to what?? Check out the price on a new miroku Winchester, or a pair of new vaqueros, or a new Dillon 750. Or just about any long range rifle such as a pedersoli 45-70 or if you have the itch a Shiloh Sharps None of which are essential for a persons life but a durable piece of medical equipment that will last a long time and improve pretty much all aspects of ones health, relationships and daily activities is (IMHO) a considerably better deal relatively speaking. Regards Gateway Kid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 3 hours ago, Utah Bob #35998 said: Yeah. Mine was squealing something awful. But Medicare wouldn’t pay for a new on seeing as how it was still putting out positive pressure, therefore according to them, it wasn’t broken. Had to get one out of my own pocket. Plus, you look so debonair, in your avatar, wearing yours UB. Oh wait! That's a military gas mask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Badly Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 If you hit it enough to stop the squealing maybe you will get a new one. 1-800-cpap will sell you a basic machine relatively cheap. Always get a copy of your prescription so you can buy a backup. Makes smacking the squealing one less risky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward R S Canby, SASS#59971 Posted April 17, 2020 Share Posted April 17, 2020 On 4/15/2020 at 10:52 PM, Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 said: Awrighty, Pay Dirt! That is encouraging news indeed! I'll call again tomorrow... I must've gotten someone new on the phone when I last called. Down to my last mask - almost ordered one online today, but damn! Hundred eighty some bucks for a plastic mask?? That's nuts. Found one on Amazon for something like fifty bucks... some off-brand, with free delivery sometime around mid-June. Gateway, thanks for the information. I actually have three machines... it's the "supplies" (mask, hose, filters) that I'm needing. Thanks, Guys~!! CPAP.com is a good source for hoses and filters. You need a copy of your prescription to buy a mask though you can buy replacement parts piecemeal. I gave up on my local storefront supplier. They refused to sell me anything for cash and insisted on billing everything through an insurance company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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