Recent content by Michael Blue

  1. M

    ALS, BiPAP, Insurance and the PSG...

    Unfortunately, a couple months after my last post in this thread I was laid off, and was unable to get work in the field before the new regulations kicked in. I will likely never be able to work in Sleep again. Given that, there isn't much I can do in this area, though I still spend time with...
  2. M

    ALS, BiPAP, Insurance and the PSG...

    OK, I was able to get clarification... According to the ALS Association and Respironics guidelines; if a Pt has a confirmed ALS diagnosis and meets ANY ONE of the following criteria; they qualify for BiPAP under Medicare and do not need a PSG or to fail CPAP. BiPAP titration is optional and...
  3. M

    ALS, BiPAP, Insurance and the PSG...

    I just thought I would pop in an update here... I'm still pursuing this, and have had continual issues with "professionals" who "know respiratory disorders", even though this is a degenerative neromuscular disorder, and not specifically respiratory. No news yet, but I have contacted the ALS...
  4. M

    ALS, BiPAP, Insurance and the PSG...

    I'm sorry Rose...That sucks. I'm a Non-Registered Sleep Tech who's only been on the job a bit over a year, and have only had ONE ALS patient, but I have done a couple hours of homework and found this dilemma. I can't for the life of me understand how an MD could not do the same, and find the...
  5. M

    ALS, BiPAP, Insurance and the PSG...

    No, that's not right, either. That's one of the major things we do in a Sleep Lab; fit you for an appropriate mask and adjust the pressure to meet your needs. My point was you shouldn't have to go through a baseline PSG and fail a CPAP trial just to get there; you don't need CPAP, you need BiPAP.
  6. M

    ALS, BiPAP, Insurance and the PSG...

    Am I wrong for being VERY frustrated for you guys by this? They should be able to simply order BiPAP based solely on the diagnosis of ALS. If they want a study to help fit you for a mask and determine what pressures work best for you, so be it...But you shouldn't have to wade through a sea of...
  7. M

    BiPAP Intolerance

    How was her pressure set? If she's feeling suffocated, it's likely her pressure is too low. ~M
  8. M

    BiPAP Intolerance

    Skipping breaths? Sounds like Central Sleep Apnea...He may find with his next study that he needs one of the ASV, BiPAP AutoSV, etc. modes in order to releive that. Should help a lot, if you can get it done, I know all labs are different and some aren't even using those mdoes yet. ~M
  9. M

    Sleep Tech, here for research

    Hi all! I found this site looking for some specific info, but with all the BiPAP issues here, I may be able to be of some use while I'm researching. Don't know how much I'll be around, but I can only imagine how amazing it must be to have a place like this, for people more directly touched by...
  10. M

    BiPAP Intolerance

    Sounds like you're doing all you can. Unfortunately some people suffer from these irrational emotional reactions to CPAP, and there's sometimes not a lot you can do for it. This is extremely unfortunate where it concerns ALS Pts, given the nature of their need. Even in traditional CPAP Pts...
  11. M

    ALS, BiPAP, Insurance and the PSG...

    Hi all! I'm a Polysomnographic Technologist with a question regarding ALS patients, BiPAP, and whether insurance companies require normal "qualification" (via a PSG study) for BiPAP with ALS patients. Actually...That is the question...When a Dr decides to Rx BiPAP for an ALS Pt, does the Ins...
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