Sleep Apnea Treatment

Question by Dianna B: How do I get insurance for lap band or bypass surgery if my insurance company has turned me down.?
My insurance company will not cover lap band surgery for me (or gastric bypass for that matter). I have been overweight for years, have sleep apnea, sore knees, and the necessary BMI to qualify. Even the hospital that would do the surgery has told me that they turned them down. Paying for it myself would be out of the question. My company has been using this insurance company for years and years – I do not see them switching carriers in the near future. Is there any way I can get this surgery done? I feel the pros far outweigh the cons.

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Answer by Lea B
Many insurance policies will not cover that procedure because it is not medically necessary. They consider it the same as cosmetic surgery. You can contact other insurance companies and ask them.

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Question by nwafanusa1: How expensive is the gastric bypass surgery (bariatric) if you don’t have health insurance to pay for it?
I am 39 years old and very obese and have diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and high triglycerides. My doctor at the VA Hospital wants them to give me gastric bypass surgery but they no longer do it at the VA Hospital. Is there any VA Hospitals that perform gastric bypass surgeries (regular one) or how much money do you need to have it done on your own? Please help me. Thank You.

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Answer by Diane Y
I don’t know where you are from but call the patient representative at the VA and ask them about other VA hospitals, where they are and if they do the gastric bypass. Try a county hospital in your area (they do have programs) you will probably have to jump thru hoops but it will be worth it.
As for as how much it cost it varies I would say $ 15000 up to $ 30000. Also, go to the VA web site
http://www1.va.gov

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Question by RP: I have been told I may have sleep apnea by my wife. Dont have insurance but need to get CPAP machine. Advice?
I cannot afford test (heard it was like $ 1500.00 each time and you have to do it twice). I found some websites that offered CPAP machine and mask for little cost but how do I get a prescription without being tested? Someone told me they do home tests that are cheaper but how do I get one? I did find a site, 1800CPAP . com that has a doctor that answers sleep questions but I still need a prescription to buy their CPAP. Does anyone know how I can get a home sleep test?

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Answer by dylstar7
I hsve sleep apnea
I was diagnosed in a sleep test by the Beverly Hills Sleep Center
which my medi-medi paid for
getting the machine is the simple part
it’s the settings that do the treatment
try losing some weight and exercising some
it is possible to put sleep apnea into remission indefinitely
I see the machines on craigslist.com all the time

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Question by cm9779: I cannot sleep. I am pretty sure I have sleep apnea, but I have no insurance and cannot afford testing.?
Apparantly the testing is ridiculusly expensive, even with insurance. My Dr. has perscribed me Restoril which is a heavy sleep aid. It does put me to sleep, but I wake up within a few hours after it wares off. I generally get about 3-4 hrs. of sleep a night. I am so tired I feel like crying all the time and I constantly feel sick. Does anyone have any ideas until I can afford the Apnea testing. (please don’t suggest nasal strips, they do not work). Help Me.

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Answer by geminiblue26
have u tried medicade or asked about programs that hospitals offer or payment plans ?

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Question by Christina B: I have sleep apnea….no insurance?
I think i have severe sleep apnea, i wake myself up a million times a night and i dont feel rested ever. my family says that when i sleep im coughing and stop breathing. i would like to get a sleep study done, but do not have any kind of insurance. i didnt return to work after having my second child (3 months ago) and i dont have medical or dental (and i really need the dental)
I live in Simi Valley (southern California), Does anyone have any advice for me?
Like how much it would cost to pay out of pocket for a sleep study and apnea machine, or how i can obtain a medi-cal type program?
what does the DHS office stand for in the second persons comment?

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Answer by Miranda W
Well, I’m not sure exactly how much it will cost. My dad has that and he has a machine that he uses when he sleeps. I would suggest finding out how much it would be to rent the machine w/out insurance. You can try it out and if it helps then you might want to look into buying one. Overall, this could be cheaper than dozens of doctor visits. Other than that, you might want to ask around at medical offices about possible free studies being done.

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