Posted on 07/12/2013 8:09:44 PM PDT by Toespi
My husband got a new CPAP machine today, "latest technology". Here's the thing and it is stunning. His doctor warned him he MUST use it nightly as it has a chip in it that communicates with insurance/Medicare. If he doesn't use it regularly, his driver's license can be revoked. Anyone familiar with this?
well, “big brother” aside, cpap is the best medical device that i’ve ever got. i’m now well rested thanks to it.
The company that I get the machine from is a few blocks away. I'll pop over and find out. What brand is it?
All of the newer CPAP systems have either a port to connect a link to them (basically a SD card reader/writer and data-logger) or a built in system that can be used by a tech to view usage, apneas, hypopneas and average pressure. After 30 days they can take the machine off flex and set it to an apropriate range by using the data. Perhaps certain insurance companies or providers have a requirement of them paying for the rental based on usage (you usually rent for 10 months, then the unit is purchased).
Using the data to revoke a DL is a little out there, I’d like to see the law or ordinance that allows that.
What is a CPAP machine?
I can almost see why insurance and Medicare would want to know about the machine's use, though I have MAJOR privacy concerns about the method allegedly used. As a conservative I'm really upsset about the obvious waste and fraud I see in this program. My supplier seems interested only in how much stuff they can bill Medicare/insurance for, and my pulmonary M.D. seems to be getting wealthier and wealthier by prescribing as much equipment as possible. "Free" government money seems to invite corruption.
My wife has to use one of those machines. The medical supply company that we rent it from says that it has an internal record-keeping device that records the duration of time for each 24 hour day that it's used. If it isn't used enough to qualify for Medicare reimbursement the feds won't pay for it. IIRC the minimum time is 4 hours, but I'm not 100% sure of that. Which make good sense IMHO, Medicare and Medicaid shouldn't be paying for anything that isn't necessary.
I suppose they are claiming he has Narcolepsy, and may fall asleep suddenly. I have sleep apnea and have used a CPAP for about 14 years. I love it and don't even take a nap without it.
My doctor had me come in for a sleep study, then stick around for a "nap study" the next morning. It was a nap study, so every time after they woke me up, I went back to napping. (It beat the hell out of being at work!)
The guy got all excited and told me I had Narcolepsy and was unsafe to drive because I could fall asleep at any time. I told him he was crazy and asked him if that meant he would be prescribing amphetamines for me, and he quickly stammered "well no, he couldn't do THAT." That was the last I heard of that nonsense, and that was at least 10 years ago.
CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure
Used to treat Sleep Apnea, and other disorders
The understanding I was given had to do with whether insurance would pay for it so it had to be proven it was being used to meet clinical requirements. This requirement about relating it to your DL was not part of any discussion but the poster above noting the CDL requirement may be different is probably on target.
Mine has an SD card that records the nightly usage. Every year before I have to take my DOT physical (I truck) I have to have the SD card read by Apria Healthcare. They print a report on my usage and I then have to take that to the doctor that performs the physical (70% usage is the minimum requirement for the DOT, that’s 21/30 nights per month minimum). No usage, no job.
So, yes, you are being monitored if your’s has an SD card that inserts on the back side of the machine. But real time monitoring? Nah.
Not wi-fi. Communication with the Smart Meter is not done that way, but THROUGH AND ON THE POWER LINE.
110 volts 60 Hz can carry a signal of micro voltage amplitude and kHz frequency for data transmission without affecting motors, etc.
Clear now?
Unintended liberal consequences.
My wife has cpap with what amounts to a wireless phone plugged into the back. The doctor’s office can call it and retrieve sleep time/usage and other data to make sure the patient is in “compliance”:
1-a-Patient actually using machine per doctors instructions
b-doctor can look at data to see if there are any problems
2 - Insurance carrier wants to make sure that patient is using the machine, since they are paying for it or renting it and pretty expensive for some units and expendable supplies.
I’m wondering if the doctor was concerned about patient falling asleep while driving. If patient doesn’t use cpap and fell asleep at the wheel and killed himself or others, the doctor may have some legal liability. Therefore the doctor may be required to turn in the patient to the DMV, causing the patient to loose his license.
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=85846
If you don’t mind, what is a CPAP?
Your doctor is correct.
BFL
No doubt about that, but my and my wife's Medicare coverage is anything but free. If we had been allowed to put the money we paid in to Medicare since it became mandatory in the 1960's until retirement in 1997 in an interest-bearing account or a good stock brokerage firm, we probably wouldn't need any government assistance for our medical expenses. IMHO Medicare should be restricted to paying only for very costly medical treatments and/or devices that most working persons or families can't afford, and the Medicare tax rate should be reduced accordingly. However, since we both paid Medicare tax every year for 40 years I don't feel guilty about accepting reimbursement for our necessary expenses, emphasis on "necessary".
Nope!
Tis true.
For Insurance to cover, I must use it a minimum of 4 hrs. a night, 75% of the time.
That is for moderate sleep apnea and no impact to my driving.
If it were severe, I’m sure the driving restrictions would apply.
The doctor/Ins monitoring is from a thumb drive I pull from the CPAP and plug into a PC and then log into my account.
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