Talk About Sleep AutoPAP Survey Results

June 14, 2004

By Dr. James C. O'Brien, MD, FCCP, D'ABSM

I would like to thank each and every one of the participants in Talk About Sleeps' recent poll concerning AutoPAP devices. The response was much greater than we expected and the information provided helped ground my presentation to the HCPCS (Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System) workgroup with the vast experience of the Talk About Sleep community.

On June 30, in Baltimore, Maryland, I was a participant in a public forum held in the auditorium at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Public Agenda Payment and Coding Determinations for New Durable Medical Equipment.

These meetings provide the opportunity for manufacturers to petition for a formal acceptance of a new product and receive a HCPCS code, which will be necessary, in order to receive payment from Medicare and other health insurers. At this meeting there were over a dozen requests for a HCPCS code ranging from devices that helped "grow" cartilage in arthritic knee joints, to heated humidifier circuits for ventilators, to the inherent benefits of AutoPAP devices.

Present to request a new HCPCS code for AutoPAP devices were three sleep industry companies Sunrise DeVilbiss, ResMed and Puritan-Bennett. Collectively, they sponsored Peter Gay, MD, from the Mayo Clinic to state the argument for why there should be a HCPCS code for AutoPAP devices.

Sponsored through Talk About Sleep, I supplied the perspective of a sleep doctor/user to complete the clinical picture of why there deserves to be a dedicated HCPCS code for this "unique and necessary form of treatment for some patients with OSA". Thanks again for your assistance!

The APAP survey was very interesting to view. Here are some of the results we learned from you, our audience:

• What type of flow generator were you using prior to obtaining your Auto-Titrating device?
  • CPAP - 73%
  • None - 25%
  • BiLevel - 2%
• How did you learn about Auto-Titrating devices?
  • TalkAboutSleep.com - 31%
  • Other Website - 22%
  • Message Boards - 22%
  • Physician - 14%
  • Other - 10%
  • Home Health Company - 2%
• What has "changed for the better" on APAP? A lot of you remarked about the lack of bloating, excess gas and aerophagia on an APAP device. Others remarked that it was easier and more comfortable to use than a CPAP. Still some favored it because ended their dissatisfaction with a RAMP feature or difficulties using a BiLevel device.
• What has "changed for the worse" on APAP? There was a significant decrease in types of answers received. By a large margin, the most common response was "Nothing". The second most common category of answer was the economic/cost factor, with most stating: "my bank account...credit card....wallet" being the issue negatively impacted by their APAP use.

Tracy Nasca, Senior Vice President of Talk About Sleep, Inc. adds, "again, thanks to those who participated in our recent survey of AutoPap users. We look forward to more surveys in the future to learn more from you. We feel it is important to garner your opinions on the devices and interfaces used in your treatment for sleep related breathing disorders. Your feedback is very important and much appreciated. As Dr. O'Brien likes to say, 'Sleep is food for the brain, and Talk About Sleep will help keep you fed!'"