CPAP and preop compliance

So, now that I have been diagnosed as an apneac (is that a word?) and I will be getting a CPAP machine in the near future I find in the fine print of the packet I was given is that I have to  "demonstrate compliance for one month" in order to get the sleeve. Is this an insurance requirement or a surgical requirement? What is involved. How can they tell if you're compliant at all? Heck, I didn't even know I had it even though the surgeon and pulmonolgist both strongly suspected it.

I fee kind of weird replying to my own post, but here are the details I was wondering about. I visited the pulmonary doc yesterday and got the official results regarding the apnea. It was much worse than I thought: at one time during REM sleep I didn't breathe for 40 secs! And I got no deep sleep. None. Nada. So the recommendation is that I get a sleep study with a titration (means they figure out the right size machine and it settings; I kind of like the science here)  and my appointment is in 4 weeks. I am on a waiting list to try and get in earlier. Anyway, once I get my machine and get a little used to it I need to use it for 30 days straight then return to the Dr. At that point I will have demonstrated my compliance. Assuming my other clearances are in we can then apply to the insurance company.

As an aside, it seems that the insurance companies are really rebelling against approving sleep studies because they are so expensive to run preferring to do the "at home" version and prescribing a one size fits all APAP machine, where the machine figures out what the settings should be. But their concern is making more money.

The machine will have an SD card in it. This measues how often you are using it. You will bring the card to the place you get your machine from and they will download how much you are using it. This is how they measure compliance. This is standard for most insurances. You usually rent it for a certain period of time and then it is yours. Usually the insurance pays 80% and you pay the rest. Most surgeons test for it if you do not already have it because this will help you get approved.

I have severe sleep apnea and just found out this year.  I stopped breathing for 40 seconds also and never got to deep sleep.  You should definitely get the CPAP and go for the titration at the hospital or clinic.  They can adjust the pressure while you are sleeping to see where it needs to be.  Also, they hook you up the same as the first time and can take more readings to see if you are stopping and measuring your brain activity and oxygen levels etc.  

I was very determined to use the CPAP so I wore it every night from the day I got it.  Now, I wouldn't be without it.  It took some getting used to.  The hard part was relaxing when you first get it on.  There is a button on mine called "ramping up" and it takes the pressure to a lower pressure and gradually builds it up over 20 minutes so you can fall asleep during that time.  I feel 100% better now.  I don't get so tired and it's the best thing ever.

I know all this why did you comment to me? Also this is an old thread I doubt the op will see this as they never responded to me.

Must have clicked in the wrong spot. Sorry. New to this and doing it on a small iPhone screen. 

Not a problem. Just scroll all the way to the bottom until you see a reply to post.

I believe it's an insurance requirement. My surgeon knows that I have a CPAP machine and they told me to bring it to the hospital with me, but they've never asked me specifically how often I use it or for any data. My machine has a memory chip that I mail in to the CPAP provider periodically, but they are not in contact with my surgeon or are even aware that I'm having the surgery. My pulmonologist is aware because I had to get a clearance from him for the surgery and he's already told me he will administer another sleep study in a few months to see if I still need the machine.