CPAP Therapy & Compliance
CPAP Therapy & Compliance
Sleep Central
CPAP therapy and resupply specialists
Sleep Central is committed to improving your quality of life by helping you get the most out of your sleep therapy for a better night’s sleep.
Sleep Therapy: An Adjustment Worth Making!
CPAP/BiPAP therapy can be an extremely effective treatment for sleep apnea. Many patients report life-changing improvements once they have their sleep apnea under control. They no longer feel tired during the day, some lose weight, and most quickly return to living productive, healthy lives.
Unfortunately, some patients find it challenging to adapt to the treatment at first. Their new sleep routine now includes air pressure, a mask, and headgear. Even though the solution to their problems is right on their nightstand, many patients stop using their equipment and abandon their therapy.
CPAP Compliance
Sleep therapy only works if you use the CPAP/BiPAP machine every night at your prescribed settings. Medicare and most insurance plans require patients to use the device a minimum amount in the first 90 days, or they will no longer cover the treatment.
To be considered compliant, you must:
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Use your CPAP device for at least 4 hours a night for, at minimum, 21 out of 30 days.
- Have a follow-up appointment with your doctor between the 31st and 90th day of treatment. The doctor must review objective evidence of your compliance with insurance requirements for use and document that you benefit from the use of the device.
For these reasons, it is vital that you use your sleep therapy equipment as much as possible when you sleep. Let us know if you are having any difficulties so we can address them early. We’re here to help!
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, require a new sleep study if you do not meet compliance requirements within the first 90 days. Our goal is to help you reach compliance as soon as possible so you can enjoy a better night’s sleep.
Equipment Compliance with Rotech's SleepWELL™ Program
CPAP compliance can undoubtedly seem complicated. Rotech’s SleepWELL™ Program is there for you every step of the way! We will work with you and your physician to ensure you are set up for success, getting effective therapy, and staying compliant with your treatment.
Through the SleepWELL™ Sleep Apnea Program, we provide the most advanced state-of-the-art technology, programs, and equipment for our sleep apnea patients. Each of our CPAP machines contains a modem that tracks and records usage for you. This data is easily downloaded and shared with your physician to help meet the compliance documentation requirements.
SleepWELL™ patients also get customized support from our specialists. We’re always ready to help, but especially when you need us the most – during the first 90 days of treatment. Our CPAP Compliance Team will check in with you, review your progress, and assist you with your compliance.
Rotech’s exclusive CPAP-EMT (Evaluate – Monitor – Track) software allows a highly trained specialized team of CPAP specialists and respiratory therapists to event manage and track compliance for our CPAP patients, helping Rotech achieve best-in-class CPAP compliance rates. We will keep in touch with you throughout your treatment to determine any areas that may need improvement.
Importance of Regularly Cleaning & Replacing CPAP Supplies
Maintaining and replacing your CPAP equipment is crucial to staying healthy and maximizing the effectiveness of your therapy. Certain materials in CPAP supplies, such as masks, headgear, and hoses break down over time. To get the maximum benefit from your therapy, you’ll need to replace your supplies regularly. On-time replacement reduces the risk of problems such as equipment failure, skin irritation, and even infection!
Routine and proper cleaning of your CPAP supplies is also essential for every SleepWELL™ sleep apnea patient. Even with regular cleaning, normal usage results in a type of breakdown within the supplies that can lead to an increased risk of infection. Germ growth is common in the tubing and mask portion of your CPAP device. Only proper cleaning, drying, and regular replacement can help keep the machine and all accessories unsoiled, working effectively, and harm-free.
frequently asked questions: cpap compliance
Many health insurance plans – including Medicare – cover CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea, but conditions of coverage, benefits, and requirements can vary based on your plan.
Many insurers require proof of compliance (i.e., that you’re using your CPAP machine) before they will cover the continued use of CPAP machines and supplies. To find out if your insurer and plan cover CPAP machines and CPAP resupply, you’ll need to contact them.
Medicare does not cover a specific brand of CPAP machine. Medicare does cover CPAP devices and supplies.
Medicare can cover CPAP devices for a three-month trial in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, diagnosed after a clinical evaluation by a practitioner and a sleep study test.
Medicare may continue to cover therapy if you meet in person with your doctor and they document the treatment is helping you. For coverage, you must also meet Medicare’s compliance guidelines: using your CPAP for at least 4 hours per night, on 70% of nights, during a consecutive 30 days, anytime during the first 3 months of initial usage.
CPAP compliance means that you’re using the equipment prescribed to you, and doing it often enough that it’s working to treat your condition. For Medicare, the guideline is at least 4 hours a night for at least 70% of nights, and they begin documenting compliance after the first 31 days of usage. This can give you time to get used to the machine, so it’s important to begin using your CPAP as soon as you receive it!
Other insurers may have different guidelines. If you’d like more detail on what your insurer requires, please contact them.
A CPAP compliance report is data downloaded from your machine – by modem, Bluetooth, or possibly a memory card – that shows your frequency and length of use and how effective your CPAP is at reducing the number of breathing episodes you have per hour of sleep.
CPAP compliance is important, but can be challenging as you get used to CPAP therapy. Try to use your device a little bit longer every night. CPAP machines also have features to help with compliance. Ramp, pressure relief, and a heated humidifier can all help you improve compliance with CPAP therapy.
Ask your location or your provider for more information about how to use these features and become more comfortable with your CPAP machine.
Yes! Patients tell us regularly that once they adjust to their CPAP, they could not sleep without it. Not only do you sleep better, but CPAP compliance reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke and high blood pressure! In addition to sleeping better at night, you’ll likely experience less daytime sleepiness, While you may not feel benefits immediately, not experiencing sleep apnea ensures that you’re getting truly restful, healthy sleep.