Do doctors get commission on CPAP machines sold?!!!

My husband just went through the whole sleep study thing and getting a CPAP and I had a number of threads about it and gathered a lot of information which I will pass on as best I can.

The sleep study clinic my husband went to was not affiliated with any of the respiratory businesses that sell the CPAP machines, there was a statement to that effect with the information that my husband got after his study. With his study they wanted him to lay on his back and later on I asked the tech when he got his CPAP and was told that the clinic has patients sleep on their backs to get the best data. You may have sleep apnea and not know it. Another person on this board had no idea that she had it, the sleep study showed that she stopped breathing 90 times an hour. She was fatigued but thought it was from something else.

Your bariatric clinic should do an assessment of whether or not you need a sleep study and then will arrange for it. Not all centres require it. Snoring is a big symptom but also do you wake others with your snoring, do you wake up feeling like you haven't gotten any rest, do you fall asleep easily during the day? These are also symptoms that they will take into consideration. I would wait to have the study done after your bariatric clinic has done their assessment. yes it may add some time onto your wait for surgery but you sound very concerned about this and it might be for nothing. I have a study booked for June but I'm hoping that I will see the internist by then and he'll say I don't need one. I'm certain that I don't have sleep apnea. I snore but that is the only symptom that I have.

I don't know if your workplace has benefits but if so likely your portion of the CPAP machine would be covered or most of it. Also someone else hear said that doctors routinely order the machine without really investigating other options. For mild apnea a special mouthguard may be more effective but CPAPs are the gold standard and the doctor's are as familiar with the mouthguard. I am not sure about cost though.

Hope that helps!

 Hi Jenn,

It is very k ind of you to take the time and share this information with me, it certainly helps.

I will go through with the sleep study but will not buy anything until I meet with the Internist, then I wait for his direction.

What made me concern with this dr I saw that he did no discuss any other options and seemed fixated with this expensive machine and how I can pay for it..

I will keep u updated and would like to hear about your progress in this matter maybe we will have our surgery at the same time :)

Thanks a lot..

Zeina
p.s I have added  you on my list 

What Jenn said. No commission. As a matter of fact, the clinic I went to would not even recommend one respiratory business over another. They just gave me a list of all the ones in town. I ended up taking my script to Vitalaire and have been happy with them.

 Sleep Apnea is a big comorbity used for approvals for surgery.  Is it possible that he is trying to "help" you get an approval???  I was sure that I didn't have it and actually had it severely with 114 episodes per hour, so you may be surprised.

 This was the specialist, when I spoke to him I already told him that I am having surgery sometime in May...I don't know  I quess I have to wait for the result of the sleep study..

They are not suposed to, but I believe it is very common, or they work around legality. I found out well after buying my bipap that my sleep doctor's son owns the supplier they referred me to, as an example.

You don't hae apnea unless you go through a full diagnostic study and your AHI rate exceeds 5/ hour (mine was extremely severe at 113). Once you are diagnosed, you have a right to know your AHI rate... And they are upposed to review your stats with you. You also have the rightto go to any provider you want... If it turns out you need one, reach out o the board. Some olks have exras or ones they re not using. you can likelyget one or free. I have one if ou need it.

Good Luck,

-Mo

 Hi Mo

Yes I will need it if I end up diagnosed with Sleep Apnea since I can not afford it.. I sent you a message.. thanks a lot.

I see so I am glad to know that there is an exact number that I can demand to know and the test does not depend on some random opinion..I am glad to know that..

Thanks a lot

Zeina

Not sure what he was testing but that was NOT a sleep study- which is the only way to diagnose sleep apnea. BTW I snore like a freight train- or so I'm told by my camping friends.I also had to get up to pee at nights. My study was negative for sleep apnea. The whole scenario sounds fishy to me.
Dr Klein will send you to an internist- usually Dr. Glazer, that doc will review sleep apnea and order testing and the sleep clinic handles the CPAP. They an be rented- useful if your apnea is cured with WLS, you don't need the machine forever.

 Hi Louise

I am glad I am not the only one who thinks something is fishy.. I found it strange that he was so sure that I have severe apnea simply by knowing my weight , height and nick size!! that simply means that 100% of all obese people have it and that is unreasonable..

I am meeting Dr Kelin on the 13th and hopefully they will schedule me with Dr Glazer soon,

ahh I really would love it if Dr Glazer told me that I don't need the test to begin with lol that would be awesome especially that I had a lapband before and I did not need any of this ..

thanks :)

Zeina

Thanks guys I will keep u updated as soon as I see the test's result