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Home > Respiratory > Sleep Apnea

Sleep Apnea

Rice Home Medical has Sleep Apnea Specialists at each of our Willmar, Madison, Alexandria, and Redwood Falls locations that work closely with physicians and sleep labs throughout our service area. Our services include: working with your medical care team and sleep lab to assist you in choosing your sleep apnea unit, mask, and supplies; and progress reports sent to your physician and insurance company.

Sleep Apnea treatment with CPAP machine. Sleep Apnea mask in use. Sleeping with a Sleep Apnea mask. CPAP mask wipes for disinfecting. Sleep Apnea replacement tubing.

What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is more common than you might think. The National Sleep Foundation reports that more than 18 million Americans struggle with this nocturnal disorder. Despite that statistic, sleep apnea often goes unrecognized by its sufferers and their loved ones. This can be a dangerous, even deadly oversight. “Apnea” is a Greek word meaning “without breath.” It is appropriately named, as sleep apnea occurs when a person ceases to breathe during sleep. These pauses in breathing can last from ten seconds to over one minute. This happens repeatedly throughout the night, forcing the brain to trigger a wake-up response to restore air flow to the lungs and brain. These interruptions do not allow the sufferer to enter deep sleep, causing the disorder’s effects to impact waking hours.

The most common form of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea (or OSA). It occurs when the airway closes, or partially closes, due to a collapse or looseness of the soft tissues in the back of the throat. This is a dangerous disorder that can manifest in a host of serious side effects: loud, disruptive snoring, nighttime choking or gasping, irritability, memory loss, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, depression, headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness, among other issues.

What is the treatment for sleep apnea?
The most common course of obstructive sleep apnea treatment is the use of continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP. This machine supplies air with a predetermined level of pressure to keep airways open. The pressured air is delivered through a sleep apnea breathing mask, available in different forms according to comfort and breathing style. This regulates the patient’s breathing and even keeps snoring at bay. This is the most consistently successful method of sleep apnea treatment.

Less common options include surgery, medication, oral appliances, and implants. While sleep apnea is not considered curable, there are steps patients can take to improve their overall condition. Some of these include: losing weight, exercising, drinking alcohol only in moderation (and not for several hours before bed), quitting smoking, and avoiding sleeping on their backs.

What should sleep apnea patients know?
Sleep apnea patients should remember to change their CPAP supplies regularly in order to keep their treatment consistent. CPAPs should be checked annually, and patients should contact their doctor if they have any concerns about their sleep apnea symptoms. Patients should not cease treatment without the approval of their doctor.

New sleep apnea patients should know to enter this treatment with a positive attitude, understanding that there will be a transitional period. It will take time for the CPAP to feel entirely comfortable. Patients looking for motivation to work through the sleep apnea treatment transition should keep in mind the dangers of the disorder. Most importantly, new patients should be certain they have the correct type of  sleep apnea mask, to match their breathing style and ensure a proper seal.

Sleep Apnea FAQ

  • Are you changing your disposable filters on a regular basis?
    • You can bill two disposable filters to insurance per month.
  • Does your CPAP use a reusable filter?
    • A reusable filter can be billed to insurance at 6 months.
  • Have you replaced your CPAP tubing recently?
    • You can bill insurance for replacement tubing at 3 months.
  • Is your CPAP mask sealing properly?
    • Large leaks can be a significant problem with your OSA therapy. Contact your clinician for different mask styles/sizes.
  • Is your pillow causing your CPAP mask to leak?
    • A CPAP pillow may be beneficial.
  • Are you using the correct style CPAP mask?
    • The wrong mask can significantly impact your OSA therapy.
      • Nasal Pillow Mask – must be a nasal breather, less invasive, simple to put on and take off.
      • Nasal Cushion Mask – must be a nasal breather, cushion around the nose only.
      • Full Face Mask – allows you to mouth breathe also, cushion around your nose and mouth.
  • Are you replacing your CPAP cushion, mask, and headgear regularly?
    • You can bill insurance for a new cushion monthly, mask every 3 months, and headgear every 6 months.
  • Are you having problems with rain out (water) in your tubing and mask?
    • A heated climate line can help eliminate the problem.
  • Have you had your PAP pressure checked recently?
    • Your clinician can verify the accuracy of your PAP pressure with a manometer.
  • Did you know the life expectancy for your PAP device is 5 years?
    • Insurance will pay for a replacement PAP device after 5 years.

 

CPAP & BiPAP Machines

CPAP, BiPAP, and BiPAP ST sleep apnea treatment systems help to improve sleep comfort and quality of life for patients. It is a highly effective treatment for sleep apnea, however, it has no benefit if it is not used. Compliance includes the use of the machine for more than 4 hours/night on 70% of nights. Rice Home Medical’s patient compliance rate far exceeds the national average. At set-up, staff will inform you about daily, weekly, and monthly care of their sleep apnea machine. Set-ups can be done at any of our store locations. In case of problems, staff will be able to repair or replace your device.

New CPAP machines are now available with wireless transmission technology that electronically share your data with your physician and insurance company, rather than having it downloaded and sent manually.

Masks

Our complete line of nasal, full-face, and minimal-contact masks ensure personal fit and comfort for each individual. During set up, your Rice Home Medical clinician will assist you in trying on various styles and sizes of sleep apnea masks until you find the right one that fits your needs.

Accessories

All CPAP accessories for sleep apnea treatment including tubing, tubing covers, pillows, pillow covers, and wipes are available through Rice Home Medical as well.

 


Insurance

Insurance coverage should always be verified with one of Rice Home Medical’s customer service representatives. Eligibility can vary by policy plan.

Medicare coverage for sleep apnea equipment and supplies can be found here:
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/sleep-apnea-and-cpap-devices-and-accessories.html

To get the most benefit from your PAP therapy, your equipment should be replaced when necessary based on wear and tear. The replacement schedule for Medicare patients is shown below. If you are not a Medicare patient, Rice Home Medical can check your individual insurance policy’s replacement schedule.

  • Mask: 1 per 3 months
  • Nasal Replacement Cushion: 2 per month
  • Pillows Replacement Cushion: 2 per month
  • Full-Face Cushion: 1 per month
  • Headgear: 1 per 6 months
  • Chin Strap: 1 per 6 months
  • Tubing: 1 per 3 months
  • Filter, Fine Disposable: 2 per month
  • Filter, Fine Gross Particle Foam: 1 per 6 months
  • Therapy Device: 1 per 5 years

 


Emergency Needs

If an emergency should arrive with your sleep apnea equipment, we have staff available 24/7 for service. Please call 1.800.637.7795 and follow the prompts if you would need emergency assistance after-hours for your sleep apnea equipment.

If you are in need of immediate medical treatment – DIAL 911.

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