My health insurance company is going to be sleeping with me.

[Tobin S.]

I've got this new CPAP machine. Just got it today. It's supposed to end my sleep apnea and snoring and improve my overall quality of life. Sounds good, doesn't it?

I had a meeting with a nurse who showed me how to use the device. I did not know that Big Brother came attached to it as well until today, and I was very surprised to learn that.

The device has an SD card. Once a year, before I get my DOT physical for my job, I have to remove the SD card and take it to the facility where I got the CPAP machine. They will use it to generate a report that shows how much of the time I used the machine which I then show to my doctor. I'm supposed to have used the machine an average of 4 hours a night 70% of the time to maintain my certification.

I knew about that and that's not really the scary part.

The scary part is that there is a cellular device in the CPAP machine. My insurance company uses it to monitor my use of the CPAP machine.

Yes, you read that right.

[GeorgeGist]

1. enjoy your new life!

i love my cpap.

[Tobin S.]

2. Hopefully it doesn't involve men in black.

I have a mild case of sleep apnea, but it's bad enough to warrant the machine. I do find that I have to take a nap during the day most days even if I get 8 or 9 hours of sleep at night. I don't really feel bad, but they say I will feel a lot better. And it could be that I've felt the same way for so long that I don't have a reference point for better.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I think we're being watched quite a lot, my dear Tobin!

There are monitoring devices in my car!

But you know.......it's all for our own good!



Hope the machine will help you feel better, and fast!

[Tobin S.]

5. This seems invasive to me.

I think we've started down that slippery slope where we will have less and less freedom regarding the choices we make with our health.

Actually, we probably started down that road a long time ago and I just noticed how it is affecting me personally.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. the machines are veryexpensive. if you dont log enuff hours they take it back

Every I know who uses them has the same deal.

I heard they cost 2k

[Tobin S.]

7. I don't know the total cost, but it maxxed out my deductible.

I had to pay about $350 up front and $50 a month until my deductible is satisfied. I think my deductible is $900.

[Wounded Bear]

6. My first thought was fraud prevention...

If someone isn't using it, it's expensive equipment to be sent out to folks. LIkely they're making sure someone doesn't get one just for the ins payouts and stuffing it in a closet.

[Tobin S.]

8. Yes, supposedly they just want to make sure you are using it.

But I bet that there are some other data being transferred for other uses. It would be nice to know what all they are using the information for.

[Wounded Bear]

9. HIPAA should cover this...

You should be able to find out what data they are sending.

[Tobin S.]

10. 10-4