OSA CPAP RF UPPP
There are support sites on-line, I know Sleepnet.com is non-commercial and has a discussion forum. I 'm sure there are others. The scientific journal of the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) is archived on-line with free access and has several studies and articles on OSA published. www.chestjournal.org
Most non-surgeons agree that UPPP has its place in treating OSA, but CPAP is the first and best consideration. At best, UPPP seems to work for only a few years. At worst, it corrects the snoring and the patient remains with untreated apnea events during sleep. Somnoplasty is a relatively new alternative and uses a radiofrequency wand to ablate tissue of the soft palate and base of the tongue. It's done in stages, outpatient. If I had a choice between it and surgical UPPP, I would choose the RF, but it will likely not work any better than UPPP.
I just put CPAP into a google search and after a few seconds concluded you will be able to sort out the different makes and models as well as I. Medicare (DMERC) sets the industry price tags on medical equipment. CPAP = HCPCS E0601 reimbursed at around $850; and, bi-level = HCPCS K0532 reimbursed at about $1,700. Auto-adjusting CPAP does not have a separate HCPCS code, or separate reimbursement (yet.) Some wholesale vendors are able to provide auto-CPAP machines for about the Medicare allowable for regular CPAP. The laws of economics don't apply thanks to Medicare price fixing. If you are out-of-pocket buying equipment, you may be able to acquire it at about half the retail - or a pretty good CPAP machine for around $400.
Good luck.
Most non-surgeons agree that UPPP has its place in treating OSA, but CPAP is the first and best consideration. At best, UPPP seems to work for only a few years. At worst, it corrects the snoring and the patient remains with untreated apnea events during sleep. Somnoplasty is a relatively new alternative and uses a radiofrequency wand to ablate tissue of the soft palate and base of the tongue. It's done in stages, outpatient. If I had a choice between it and surgical UPPP, I would choose the RF, but it will likely not work any better than UPPP.
I just put CPAP into a google search and after a few seconds concluded you will be able to sort out the different makes and models as well as I. Medicare (DMERC) sets the industry price tags on medical equipment. CPAP = HCPCS E0601 reimbursed at around $850; and, bi-level = HCPCS K0532 reimbursed at about $1,700. Auto-adjusting CPAP does not have a separate HCPCS code, or separate reimbursement (yet.) Some wholesale vendors are able to provide auto-CPAP machines for about the Medicare allowable for regular CPAP. The laws of economics don't apply thanks to Medicare price fixing. If you are out-of-pocket buying equipment, you may be able to acquire it at about half the retail - or a pretty good CPAP machine for around $400.
Good luck.
posted by nawledge at
1:08 PM
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