Sleep Apnea Related:

Do you have respiratory therapy support?
• Yes, Family Respiratory & Medical Supply has a team of licensed Respiratory Therapists available to setup the CPAP and instruct you on its use.

Is it important to use my CPAP machine every night?
• At first, it may be difficult getting used to it because you have a foreign object on your face and air pressure blowing in your nose. You may want to try using it for a few hours or as long as you can tolerate it the first few nights. However, after the first couple of weeks you need to use it each and every night as your physician has prescribed. If you have concerns, please call our office and speak with a Respiratory Therapist.

Is it important to keep your equipment clean?
• Yes, it is important to keep your equipment clean in order to prevent bacterial growth and to decrease the chance of infection. Wash the mask and pillows daily with warm mild soapy water and rinse thoroughly. Wash all equipment at least once a week the same way.

Will I always need to use my CPAP equipment?
• CPAP is a therapy not a cure. In most cases it is for lifetime use, but your condition may improve to the point that your physician may choose to discontinue the equipment.

How do I know if my CPAP equipment is helping my condition?
• Your symptoms should improve with the use of the CPAP equipment.

What do I do if I feel I am receiving too much or not enough air when using my CPAP equipment?
• There may be a problem, and we encourage you to contact our Respiratory Therapist with your concerns.

What can I do to correct my CPAP mask if I feel it is leaking?
• You can try repositioning your mask and adjusting the straps, but do not over tighten. It is best to contact our Respiratory Therapist to discuss the problem.

What do I do if I am experiencing a lot of dryness after using my CPAP equipment?
• You may be a candidate for a passover or heated humidifier, which will add moisture to the air pressure. Please contact our Respiratory Therapist to discuss the problem.

Oxygen Related:

Why am I not getting any oxygen or why can't I feel if I'm getting any oxygen?
• Make sure the lid for the humidifier jar is tight to the concentrator/stationary tank.
• The humidifier bottle is possibly cross-threaded. Hold the humidifier lid with one hand and unscrew the jar from the lid. Now that the jar is off reattach it to the lid by turning it the wrong way first (turning the jar the same direction that you did to unscrew it) one and one half turns. Listen for the threads to click and turn the jar the right way so it is snug.
• Put the cannula (nosepiece) in a glass of water, if it is bubbling vigorously everything is fine.

Why is the Oxygen machine making a chirping sound?
• The chirping sound is coming from the humidifier bottle back pressuring because the tubing's somehow blocked.
• Pull the oxygen tubing through your hand to make sure it is straight, not kinked, and that nothing is sitting on the tubing.
• Check the cannula to make sure it is clean and clear. The prongs on the cannula may be partially blocked, and you may need to change the cannula using one of your spares.

Why is the Concentrator buzzing when I turn it on, but it doesn't operate?
• A continuous alarm when you turn on the concentator is a symptom of no power to the concentrator.
• Please use your E tank so you are getting a steady flow of oxygen.
• Check to make sure that the plug is in the outlet and making a good connection.
• The outlet may be on a wall switch and someone may have turned off the switch by mistake.
• Check the house circuit breaker, it may have tripped and stopped the electricity to the outlet.

Why are there droplets of water in my oxygen tubing?
• Water droplets in the oxygen tubing is called a "rain-out" condition.
• Check the water level in the humidifier bottle, there should be about 1/4 inch of space between the top of the water and the bottom of the letters that say "maximum." If the water level in the humidifier bottle is too high, the water will get into the tubing.
• Another cause of rainout is when oxygen in the tubing cools. To address this problem, you will need your driver/technician to install a small drain bottle between the tubings.

When should I order new oxygen cylinders?
• Order your cylinders a day or two in advance to allow for delivery scheduling. Please try to avoid asking for same day delivery unless it is urgent.
• Please order your replacement oxygen cylinders from Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

How do you turn an oxygen cylinder on and off?
• To turn the oxygen on, turn the valve on the top of the cylinder counter-clockwise one and one-half to two turns.
• To turn the oxygen off, turn the valve on the top of the cylinder clockwise until it stops.

Why can't I get the oxygen cylinder to turn off?
• Once you turn the valve on the top of the cylinder clockwise until it stops the oxygen is turned off.
• If the needle in the contents gauge on the regulator does not go down to zero that means that there is oxygen trapped in the regulator.
• To get the oxygen out of the regulator, turn the flow control knob on the regulator to a setting other than zero. This will allow the oxygen in the regulator to escape, and the contents indicator will go down to zero.

What is Oxygen?
• Oxygen is extracted from air that is all around us. Air is made up of 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and roughly 1% argon and traces of other gases. Oxygen is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that is necessary for life. When we breath in air from the atmosphere, we are breathing 21% oxygen into our lungs. The oxygen passes from our lungs into our bloodstream and is carried through the red blood cells to our organs and tissues. Our organs and tissues require oxygen to convert the food we eat into heat and energy thus sustaining life.

Why do I need Oxygen?
• People with lung or heart disease may require supplemental oxygen due to their disease state which may prohibit oxygen from reaching the bloodstream and vital organs. Our organs can malfunction when the appropriate supply of oxygen does not reach them. This can cause undesirable effects such as: breathing difficultly, fatigue, confusion, limited ability to exercise, memory loss, etc. Breathing supplemental oxygen increases the amount of oxygen that is deposited into the bloodstream which is carried to vital organs thereby allowing the body to function properly.

How do I receive my Oxygen?
• Your physician will write a prescription for supplemental oxygen should such therapy be determined appropriate. The physician or member of his staff will contact a respiratory company such as Family Respiratory to place an order. The patient always has the right of deciding which respiratory company to use. Once an order is placed, the company will arrange delivery with the patient or the patient's family.

What is COPD?
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive condition characterized by coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath that can drastically restrict daily activities. There are a number of different lung diseases that are classified as types of COPD. The most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
• There is no cure for COPD, so it is very important to learn how to effectively manage the disease. Managing COPD can be accomplished by a variety of ways such as: quitting smoking, taking medication, supplemental oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation.
• An estimated 15 to 25 million Americans suffer from COPD. The impact of COPD is major - not only is it responsible for 200,000 deaths per year, but in men over forty it ranks second to coronary heart disease as a cause of disability.

Home Medical Equipment Related:

Can I return my walker and/or 3-1 commode if I no longer need it?
• Insurance companies consider this type of Durable Medical Equipment purchase only and is non-returnable and non-refundable.

Are there different sizes of walkers, commodes, and wheelchairs?
• There are certain criteria customers must meet in order for "sized" equipment to be reimbursed by your insurance company.

Billing Related:

How often may I receive new CPAP/BiPAP supplies through Medicare?
• Medicare will allow coverage for replacement CPAP/BiPAP supplies as follows:

• CPAP/BiPAP Mask - once every 3 months
• Headgear - once every 6 months
• Tubing - once per month
• Disposable Filters and Nasal Pillows - 2 per month

I recently received a letter stating I will own my wheelchair, serial number ##### on xx/xx/xxx-date. Why am I receiving this letter?
• Medicare guidelines for Durable Medical Equipment (such as Nebulizers, CPAP, Wheelchairs, and Beds) have changed. Effective January 1, 2006, all Medicare beneficiaries will own their DME after 13 paid rental months. It is required by Medicare for DME providers to inform their customers of pending transfer of ownership of the specific equipment they are currently renting. The old rule gave the Medicare beneficiaries the option of continuing to rent or to purchase, but now they will own the equipment after 13 paid rental months. Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for maintaining their equipment as Medicare will not pay for the same or similar equipment again for at least 5 years. Family Respiratory will honor manufacturer warranties for repairs only.

Why am I being charged an additional cost for ordering a “Rollator Walker”?
• Medicare considers features of a “rollator walker” not medically necessary so they will only pay for a rolling walker. The accessories associated with the “rollator walker” are considered luxury items and must be paid for out of pocket by the beneficiary. Family Respiratory charges the customer for the cost for the accessories only to meet their cost of those items.

Remember also, if Medicare has purchased any type of walker for the beneficiary prior to the ordering of a “rollator walker”, Medicare will not pay for another walker, since a “rollator walker” is the same or similar piece of equipment. The beneficiary will be responsible for the entire cost under those circumstances.

Does Medicare have deductibles?
• Yes, Medicare has a yearly deductible that is initiated in January each year or on your first health care claims for each calendar year. The amount has increased over the last couple of years and beneficiaries are responsible for paying this yearly deductible to your health care provider when they bill you. This deductible will be shown on your EOMB (explanation of medical benefits) that you receive in the mail prior to the healthcare provider billing you. Some beneficiaries have coinsurance plans that could cover this deductible, but that is based on the individual plan.

Does Medicare pay 100% for my Oxygen Therapy and Wheelchair?
• No, Medicare only pays for a maximum of 80% of their allowed amount. Medicare has an “allowable rate” for all equipment services. If the provider “accepts assignment” with Medicare, the provider (FRMS) agrees to accept 80% of the Medicare allowed payment and to charge the beneficiary no more than the remaining 20% of the Medicare approved rate, Plus any unmet deductible. Family Respiratory accepts assignment with Medicare, and follows the “accept assignment policies”.

*FYI- Providers that do not accept assignment can charge beneficiaries a higher amount of coinsurance as they are not limited to the remaining 20% allowed Medicare rate