I hesitated to resurrect this thread, as it was started by Linda, and Beth also has a post in it, but I was looking for a thread on bipap in the tips/tricks.gadgets section, and this was the best one, as the information is all very useful.
What I wanted to post has nothing to do with insurance coverage, although I guess it would be good to insert that I've not had to apply through either private insurance (back when I had it) or Medicare, that my doctor or RT has always put in the paperwork for me.
Now for the "tip":
I've been on bi-pap for two years now. Recently the settings needed to be adjusted so that the inhale pressure is stronger. I was kind of surprised that it took me a while to grow accustomed to the change (but I did). However, what I found interesting, is that I needed to bop up the humidity setting. It makes sense in a way, but would not have expected it.
I think the humidity need is largely driven by not only a person's preferences, but also the temperature and humidity of the room. I'd been comfortable with it on "2" (this is with a hose insulator and much of the hose under the blanket). I didn't get rain out, and the surface of my nose had less problems with that "hair tickling it" sensation, than it did with the machine set warmer. Now, with the extra velocity it has to stay on "3" but feels like it did on the lower setting with the lower pressure.