Question:
What to do with cpap?

Hi! I was diagnosed with sleep apnea prior to surgery.I've only used it a few times because I no longer need it due to losing 50 pounds since surgery.So I was wondering what to do with it.Will the company take it back? throw it out? collect dust on a closet shelf? lol    — jennifer A. (posted on August 19, 2003)

August 19, 2003
It depends on whether your insurance company purchased the machine for you or if it's still on rental. If they are still renting then call the DME company and return it. If it has been purchased then they aren't supposed to take it back - if that is the case you can either try to sell it privately (like on e-bay) or you can call the sleep lab where you had your study or the DME company who supplied your machine and see if they take donations for needy patients who don't have insurance. I work for a DME company and we constantly get orders from the sleep labs to set patients up on CPAP when they don't have insurance - those patients usually end up paying out of pocket. We cut 'em a break on the pricing but it's still expensive. If we have a donated machine to give them, then all they have to pay for is the mask, headgear, and tubing - it makes a big difference.
   — Kim A.

August 19, 2003
I'm in a similar boat. Mine has been sitting since surgery and I was not able to get back on it. It's still on rental but in "on loan" status, which means they haven't been charging my insurance company since April. I had high BiPAP numbers so I have a very expensive machine - like $3500. I knew I would end up getting off it so I told BCBS not to buy it. Normally they buy it after a month or two. I had a new sleep study and I find out on Thursday if he is going to officially release me and send the bugger packing. Based on what the technician told me my oxygen level never dropped so I assume none were obstructive, in which case I won't agree to even try again. In a little over 6 months time and 150 lbs I went from 22/18 BiPAP to 6 CPAP, so obviously a few more lbs and the 6 will be gone too. <p>One last comment. Since this is a prescribed piece of medical equipment it is illegal to sell it. I believe donating it to a place that places this equipment would be legal.
   — zoedogcbr

August 19, 2003
Don't dump it ... someone else may be able to use it. I know my brother bought one of his machines from a medical rental place at a huge savings because it was turned in. Only the mask and tubing aren't reusable (health issues), but once reprogrammed the machine should work for a new patient. Know you will find a good home for it.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 19, 2003
http://www.sleepapnea.org/ <BR><BR> Why not contact the sleep apnea association and see if they have any type of donation program. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it could help someone else too.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 19, 2003
original poster here...I don't rent the machine any longer I do own it...Thanks for the great suggestions. =)
   — jennifer A.