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Re: Cost of split study?

Posted by AKo2 on April 25, 2007 at 21:50:24:

In Reply to: Re: Cost of split study? posted by SleepyTimeGal on March 01, 2007 at 08:36:04:

Why aren't APAP's used more often?

Well that question has alot of answers, but most of them point right back to the old dollar.

Many DME sections allied with a Hospital/Sleep Lab/Pulmonary Clinic, are reluctant to give out APAP's. Mostly due to reimbursement amounts from Insurance companies, "MOST" insuarnce companies don't distinguish between CPAP/BiPAP/APAP machines, meaning they pay the same amount to the DME for all of those machines. However there is a large cost difference for the DME between CPAP/BiPAP/APAP machines. You may ask, whay don't they just allow the patient to pay the difference then? Well, to be honest, "MOST" DME's allied with Hospitals/Sleep Labs/Pulmonary Clinics, don't like to have accounts they have to carry, meaning they really don't want to have to send bills to people, follow up on collections, etc.

So basically like I said it comes down to the dollar.

As far as the Software and documentation, all 3 DME's that I have worked for had a policy that would not allow the CPAP Tech to give these items or information to the patient. This policy allowed the DME to fire you "For Cause" if you supplied these to the patient.

Don't get me wrong, I am not supporting these policies, I am simply providing and explanation to your question about APAP from someone who has 20+ years working in the RT/Sleep/DME arena. :)

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