TAP-III vs MMA and insurance
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TAP-III vs MMA and insurance

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Posted by meggy413 on June 30, 2011 at 14:18:26:

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea in October 2009. My events per hour was 43. Since February 2010, I have been wearing the TAP-III oral device, and a 2nd sleep study, while wearing it, showed my events per hour reduced to 0.5. Pretty remarkable results if I do say so! And I've noticed a huge improvement in my quality of life and energy level since using it.

Shortly after I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, I briefly considered looking into the MMA procedure, and actually met with an orthodontist and oral surgeon. However, at the time (and still currently), I couldn't afford braces, and when the oral surgeon's office tried to get pre-approval for the surgery through Blue Cross Blue Shield, I was denied. Part of the reason for that, I think, is that they were trying to convince BS to approve the surgery for dental reasons, not due to sleep apnea. (I live in Oklahoma, people here are kind of ignorant sometimes, and we don't have the best medical care.)

So, with that background.. my question is, if I wanted to re-consider the MMA sometime in the future, what do you all think it would require to get the surgery approved by insurance? Especially since the TAP-III is technically working wonderfully. I'm only 28, though, and I'm not sure I want to wear a mouthpiece for the rest of my life. Though it is a WORLD better than the CPAP, it makes my jaw sore and is pretty inconvenient. I fit the profile of an MMA candidate perfectly: I am healthy and thin, but I have a very recessed chin and weak jaw. This is something I have wanted to "fix" for many years. I do also have an overbite that braces would help with. And I've had braces before, for four years. What do you all think? Should I just be content that I've found something that works that is not the CPAP? Or is it worth it to someday in the future look into the MMA again?

Thank you for any thoughts!

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