Insurance Company Monitoring My Data

[dmypub]

I just recently was diagnosed and got a cpap. Today, I just read an article describing how my usage activity is being accessed by my insurance company. I don't care too much about the usage data, but don't feel comfortable sharing AHI related data that could possible be used in the future by an insurance company against me. How can I determine IF my insurance company is indeed monitoring AHI statistics ? Nothing in the paperwork I signed obviously states that my data is being used in this manner, but I don't trust them... Thanks in advance ! dmypub

[prodigyplace]

I believe your doctor and.or DME gets the data and must report compliance to insurance in order for supplies, etc. to be covered.

I do not think the insurance company has direct access to the data. Would they get the information if they asked? I think so.

[Stom]

The most significant issue is probably one that doesn't have anything to do with the data monitoring: You now have a pre-existing condition. In the US, under the Affordable Care Act, you can still buy insurance that will cover you for that condition. But if the law changes, then that could be more of an issue. I don't think any data monitoring would be a bigger issue than that fact, but who knows what they might do with it. They could use it to create some sort of compliance scoring database where they decide if you should ever be eligible for something like transplant surgery based on your historical level of healthcare compliance.

[Okie bipap]

Your insurance company is more interested in your compliance data. They want to make sure you are using the machine. They do not want to buy you an expensive paper weight.

[Janknitz]

You can control access to your data by putting your machine in airplane mode. If there is a need to prove compliance there’s still a data card that can be read by your doctor or DME.

[prodigyplace]

You can control access to your data by putting your machine in airplane mode. If there is a need to prove compliance there’s still a data card that can be read by your doctor or DME.

Assuming the DME put the card in the machine. If not, SD cards are inexpensive and the machine does not need a large capacity one.

[dmypub]

Thank you for your responses...

[SewTired]

Insurance only gets the compliance information unless you are requesting a switch to a more complex machine. Then they MAY look at the data or they may just agree with the doctor that you failed Cpap. The compliance info comes from the DME and they only supply what they are required to. Info from insurance person.

[palerider]

You can control access to your data by putting your machine in airplane mode. If there is a need to prove compliance there’s still a data card that can be read by your doctor or DME.

Assuming the DME put the card in the machine.

This doesn't matter, the machine stores compliance data internally, and will write that to any card inserted, or transmit it when connected via cell modem.

So anyone that didn't want the DME monitoring their every night can just carry the machine in and say "get the compliance data off that", (and be sure to take the SD card with you, since you should have gotten one.