SA Equipment and Supplies

[paulstrgn]

Now that I have been approved for SA how do I get the VA to buy my supplies and replace my CPAP from time to time?

Do I go to the VA hospital to do this? If so, do I need to worry about the VA trying to say my SA is getting better and try to reduce me? 

I have never had the VA give me anything (meds, supplies, etc) before. I get all my meds through the military since I am retired.

Thanks for your responses.

[broncovet]

I get all my CPAP supplies at my local VAMC.  You may get them from the respiratory department or the ortho department where they have braces, canes, and other medical equipment.  

     If you are on a cpap, you should go see your sleep doc once a year or so.  They have gotten me 2 new cpaps in the past 10 years, and numerous hoses, masks, and filters.  You need to keep the cpap clean or you will get sick breathing in dirty air all night.  

     You can clean the equipment with soap and water.  A t least once a week you should clean the mask and hose (inside, that is where bacteria grow..in the hose and mask).  

     I recently got a "so clean" machine and plug my mask into the box and close the lid.  It disinfects my cpap mask and hose.  Yes, you still have to wash the equipment with soap and water once a month or so.  The machine disinfects with Ozone, but that does not remove dead skin cells or stuff water and soap will.  

     Use the Cpap every nite, Va "knows" when you are using it or not, its recorded on a chip in the machine.  

[paulstrgn]

Thanks for the info Bronco.

I have been on a CPAP since 2015 and now that the BVA agrees I have SC SA  I am wanting the VA to pay for the supplies and replacement machines when they are needed. With Tricare I have the copay and am tired of paying it need less to say. I know about the chip that the machine has.

I am assuming the VA did not pay for the so clean system, I have read about them and want to buy one.

Thanks again Bronco for the info.

[Richard1954]

In my VA Hospital ( Temple texas)  all I did was take a copy of my sleep test to the primary care doctor who referred me to pulmonary .. once there a new Bipap machine was issue with my choice of masks. I get replacement equipment every 3 months, ( filters, mask, and hose).. I have one appointment a year and it is done over the phone once you are deemed to be in compliance with the use of the machine, which is verified via the internet connect of my machine. They clinic that takes care of sleep apnea equipment could care less about your rating, the employees are nothing more that glorified  sleep specialist.  The va will not pay for so-clean, an my va when as far to say that so clean will damage the inner workings of the machines.. and if you use one and the machine is damaged it may be on you to replace the machine. In fact.. I have not found any machine maker that will even recommend so-clean. I used one for two weeks and sent it back, I am not convinced they clean anything.

[GBArmy]

Good to know about the so clean system. I was considering getting one, but not any longer. On cleaning the cpap, this is what I was told to clean it. Have a container of hot soapy water. Fill the hose  with that mix, a little at at a time, alternating with straight white vinegar. When filled, the hose is basically half vinegar and half soapy hot water; swish it back and forth a few times, then empty. Next, fill the hose just with the hot soapy water, swish it back and forth, then empty. The third thing is just to fill the hose with plain water, and rinse out. The vinegar is the key to killing the bacteria, but you need to get rid of the residue or you have a left over smell. Air dry. You clean the water reservoir same way. The mask is harder because they will deteriorate if the plastic gets wet. I use handi wipes as best I can on it. My major problem is you can get new masks basically 3 for 6 months, but mine only last about 4-5 weeks before taring, so you either have to repair using duck tape, or buy replacement masks which aren't cheap.

[broncovet]

Im going to look into this (that a so clean can damage the cpap), but my intuitive thinking is that VA says that because they dont want to pay for a soclean machine.  

I have a so clean machine.  Just got it about a month ago.  

I didnt like the smell at first, after using the machine and called the company.  (Ozone smell).  They suggested I be patient and will no longer notice it.  I tried that and it worked.  

Im way more concerned about ozone damaging ME than I am ozone damaging my cpap.  

However,  I found out ozone is created naturally, also.  This explains more about ozone and even has a usa map where it shows counties with high ozone levels.  

https://www.epa.gov/ozone-pollution-and-your-patients-health/what-ozone

Virtually the whole state of California has high ozone levels.  If Californianians were falling over dead from ozone, Im sure we would hear about it.  

[GBArmy]

Bronc

"Virtually the whole state of California has high ozone levels. If Californians were falling over dead from ozone, I'm sure we would hear about it."...

Well...maybe not. Not if the VA had anything to do with it. It would be delay, deny let them die...