The VA and cpap machines.

I am trying to find out if the VA will give you a choice of machines after my PSG. I understand that I have to go throughh my Primary Care Physician after my study for any machine needs and for all follow-ups so I am wondering if they will allow any input from the patient. If there are veterans out there who are on the hose I would love to get more information about the process through the VA.Thanks......

I didn't get a choice, but I was given a good machine to use.....Respironics REMstar M-Series Auto-Adjusting with C-Flex CPAP and heated humidifier.

I am still active duty and my physician did the prescription for that particular machine. I think she had to say that my titration was inconclusive and therefore I needed a Auto-Adjusting CPAP machine in order to get a good pressure reading and later adjustment to that pressure.

I don't see any bills and everything is covered through Tricare....I'm figuring it would be the same with VA as long as the OSA was considered service connected or service related (not sure of the specific term).

So far, everything has been smooth.....

Yeah, I was first diagnosed with possible sleep apnea while in Iraq so it would be considered service connected. I am hopeful with what you said about the machine they gave you because that is the one I am wanting to get. I have a good primary care physician and so I am hopeful that it all goes smoothly(keeping my fingers crossed on that one)!

My husband had his sleep study done at the VA. They were very slow in getting him set up. In the end he ended up with a Devilbiss Intellipap with humidifier,(thier choice and all they carried) and his choice of mask. He took the Ultra Mirage FF mask. The told him to let them know anytime he needs a mask change and they will send a replacement thru the mail. We live about an hours drive away from the VA. So all of his sleep Apnea will be handled thru the VA. We had no choice in having our PCM take over for them.

That I know, OSA does NOT have to be service connected, period.

Some VA's may work differently but I thought they ALL used Respironics M Series Auto's with data. I had no trouble get mine from them. The VA most definitely is a little slow off the line.

If you already have a copy of your PSG and provide it to your primary, they will honor it rather than make you wait (2yrs) for their sleep lab.

My CT VA has sleep docs as part of the Pulmonary Clinic. The 1st three sleep docs I saw were in training as are the RT's (from hospital RT's). This can be a benefit or a disaster.

While I think my primary doc is outstanding he is refusing to even discuss sleep related issues with me. If yours will and you are well versed it can work.

One other thing my VA does is send the DME RT's right to the house. Some VA's do NOT do it this way. Hopefully we will he some more of the variations from what I described here.

I am pretty much on my own but other than supplies I don't have much need any more. Just wish I could get the supplies in a timely fashion. They have a captive audience and have NO clue what customer service is - the DME that is.

I Have a choice - eat what they serve or go hungry.

When starting out, learning about the different problems and fixes can be overwhelming.

Read and learn here - post if you have more Q's??

Good Luck,
GumbyCT

The VA did my sleep study. The next morning when they woke me up, they sent me to get some breakfast and said to be back at 8 o'clock to get my machine. I went home that day with my Remstar Pro 2 and UMFF. Whenever I need a new mask or hose I call the nearest VA and I have it by mail in about 2 days. I do have a service connected disability but it has nothing to do with my OSA. My PCP with the VA will not discuss my OSA or treatment at all. She just says that she doesn't know a thing about OSA and that I should talk to the RT at the nearest VA Hospital. The particular RT that I do talk to is quite knowledgeable on the subject and is fully onboard with my managing my own treatment.-

GumbyCT wrote:That I know, OSA does NOT have to be service connected, period.

Are you saying that I could get a machine throught the VA even though I don't have a service connected disability? I'm a vet with OSA.

cajun wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:That I know, OSA does NOT have to be service connected, period.

Are you saying that I could get a machine throught the VA even though I don't have a service connected disability? I'm a vet with OSA.

cajun, tell your primary you would like to have a sleep study because........... i didn't even want the d** thing but mighty glad now i did ! ....you will find a wide range of comments from vets depending on where you are....besides the system being overwhelmed now because of folks having no health insur. GOOD LUCK ! tim

cajun wrote:

GumbyCT wrote:That I know, OSA does NOT have to be service connected, period.

Are you saying that I could get a machine throught the VA even though I don't have a service connected disability? I'm a vet with OSA.

Yes, Exactly. Sorry if I wasn't perfectly clear.

As Deerslayer mentioned you have to start with your Primary Care doc and be referred to Sleep bc its a specialty clinic.
If you already have a copy of your sleep study, give it to your Primary. The VA will honor it and get you a machine. Tho it may take a month or so.

GumbyCT wrote:That I know, OSA does NOT have to be service connected, period.

Some VA's may work differently but I thought they ALL used Respironics M Series Auto's with data. I had no trouble get mine from them. The VA most definitely is a little slow off the line.

If you already have a copy of your PSG and provide it to your primary, they will honor it rather than make you wait (2yrs) for their sleep lab.

Thanks everyone for all of your advice. My PCP ordered my sleep study and she is helpful so maybe this process wont be too painful. But, the VA does has it shortcomings, even though I have been extremely lucky so far. I am going to my PSG this weekend so hopefully I will have some numbers to post soon.

What if you already have a disability rating but CPAP is not working?

Guest wrote:What if you already have a disability rating but CPAP is not working?

Please define "not working".

Were you diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea? (when?)
How long have you been using (or trying to use) CPAP?
What specific (brands/models) of equipment do you have (machine & mask)

I would suggest that you register as a member of this forum and try to let the folks here try to help you.


Den

Wulfman... wrote:

Guest wrote:What if you already have a disability rating but CPAP is not working?

Please define "not working".

Were you diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea? (when?)
How long have you been using (or trying to use) CPAP?
What specific (brands/models) of equipment do you have (machine & mask)

I would suggest that you register as a member of this forum and try to let the folks here try to help you.


Den

Also please define "disability rating" and it's relationship to cpap (or OSA).

Bearcat42 wrote:I am trying to find out if the VA will give you a choice of machines after my PSG. I understand that I have to go throughh my Primary Care Physician after my study for any machine needs and for all follow-ups so I am wondering if they will allow any input from the patient. If there are veterans out there who are on the hose I would love to get more information about the process through the VA.Thanks......

Hi Bearcat,
Xpap selection varies within VA facility. I recieved Resmed auto. Once my sleep study was complete, I was sent to Pulmonology (sleep doctor) to review my data, waiting time was approx 5 weeks after sleep study. Sleep doctor answers all questions pertaning to sleep study and apnea. Then I was sent to Respiratory training clinic (RT), to pick up cpap/supplies. Which took approx another 2 weeks. At RT clinic, technician answers all questions pertaning to equipment/supplies, mask fitting, how to use cpap etc.....

Depending on VA system, I alway's suggest to make an appointment with sleep doctor, soon as vet picks up cpap/supplies, wait times to visit sleep doctor can be up to 4 months. The facility, I visit is slower then a turle crawl. If you plan on tweaking your own prssures, get to know your doctor first. Most VA doctors prefer patients take initiative in learning about thier disorders, and most doctors are cool about treatments. Such as, I can make medication adjustments over the phone with my primary, but not all doctors approve, so get to know your doctor first. Suggest to sleep doctor, you have read from sources, patients tweaking thier own pressures and get thier feedback. My RT tech said, she doesn't have a problem with it, as long as I have my own private health insurance, but through the VA, I have to go by thier rules. Good luck

Guest wrote:What if you already have a disability rating but CPAP is not working?

if you are a service connected Vet then you already know all manna flows through your Primary Care Giver*
took this shot on 5/29/2011 while attending Rolling Thunder in Wash., D.C.