Astral or Trilogy

[KimT]

I want to keep my vent options open. I go off Florida Blue PPO at the end of this month and start Medicare w/ supplement G (same as F only cheaper and you have to pay the deductible) on February 1. I have a separate D plan for drugs.

My local neurologist will write an Rx for anything I request and need. He has all my records. He is very close to me and wants to stay in the loop and be here for me after it's no longer possible for me to go the two hours to Jacksonville.

My question is does anyone know how much the retail cost of these two machines are and how does Medicare handle them. I really don't want to go through getting a cheap bi-pap, then getting something that I can use if I decide to vent. I'm not opposed to getting a cheap bi-pap for sleep use now, then going to the Trilogy or Astral later. I've read that some even have more than one for convenience.

Thanks. I've looked over all the threads and am still confused about the best model numbers that work for us.

I also want to give a special thanks to Laurie and Nikki who have answered everything I've posted. Your time devoted to us is a gift we can never repay.

Kim

 

[lgelb]

Hi, Kim, first, thanks for the kind words...it is my honor to help.

For both the Astral and Trilogy, "new in box," which is somewhat misleading since consumers can seldom order new directly, as opposed to "regular" new/used BiPAPs, which they can, are about 12K for the low-end and 16K for the high-end models.

Ridiculously, health plans are often billed in the vicinity of thousands monthly by the DME firm for your use of one (depends on State, plan, contract, DME, etc.) and that continues for however long you use it. It is not a "rent to own" as in some other equipment categories, nor a "buy" as with a custom power chair. If your supplement picks up your portion and you use an approved DME (and in some areas, these are very restricted by cost-cutting pilots), you should not be out of pocket. But there are so many variables in what I just typed, with changes underway, that your mileage may definitely vary. And then there are accessories/supplies...under different regulations.

If you are only using BiPAP (this will be your first, right?) for sleep, given that technology is advancing, prices dropping, etc. I'm not sure I would go the NIV route this second just because doing any kind of later swap w/ Medicare for something better, cheaper, whatever, will probably be a project.

As regular readers know, if you are able, I would buy your own gently used BiPAP now (which under certain circumstances, you can sell back to the vendor sites or on your own), get a feel for the tradeoffs you will make later, assure yourself of a backup machine for some time to come (unless/until the trach comes to pass) and have more control over your destiny. But if you are after a one and done deal, I would (1) recommend the Astral and (2) try to get a loaner from the DME to see how that works, in terms of sheer size and logistics, in your environment, before you pull the trigger on the reimbursed rental.

Did that make any sense?

 

[KimT]

Laurie,
Yes, it did make a great deal of sense. Having a backup or one in a different location also makes sense. Thank you so much. I'll check with vendors for BiPaps after my PFT which is on Monday.

 

[KimT]

Any good recommendation for BiPap that will serve me at nights for now and as a backup/second for Trilogy/Astral?

My budget is $1,000 give or take.

 

[lgelb]

There are a few different workable model types on Second Wind in the Used section (generally these have 6 mo warranties but you can also e-mail if you want to know exact machine hours) currently in your budget, Kim. Since you have pre-existing OSA, you'll want a backup rate and volume control, meaning either one of the Respironics that has AVAPS mode or one of the ResMeds that are "VPAP Auto."

Most come w/ a heated humidifier as marked, but for those that don't, they sell them separately as well.

Let me know if you need help narrowing the field.

 

[KimT]

I think I probably need to bump up the budget and get what I need. After I no longer need it I can give it to someone who might not have the funds to buy a backup. After waking up enough times during the night I'm convinced to spend what I have for what I need.

Laurie, I would like some options in narrowing it down. Thank you so much.