If you’ve received a new PAP device to treat your sleep apnea in the past 12-18 months, you likely have a device that can be enabled to wireless transmit your usage data to your smartphone, your physician, your medical equipment provider and even your health insurance company.
Why? How? What does this mean for patients and their privacy? What are the benefits for patients and their healthcare providers?
Why does my health insurance company care if I use my device?
Health insurance companies will usually cover a PAP device to treat your sleep apnea if you have proof of your diagnosis from a sleep study; however, more and more insurance companies are paying for those devices on a rental basis rather than paying the full purchase price of the device upfront. The rental term can be anywhere from 2 months to 12 months. After the last rental payment is made, the patient owns the device.
Insurance companies do this because patient adherance to PAP therapy is not very good. PAP therapy is challenging, even though PAP is the most effective treatment for sleep apnea and proper usage is proven to decrease sleepiness, improve daily functioning and restore memory in sleep apnea sufferers. Several studies show that less than 50% of patients prescribed PAP therapy use the device more than four hours per night.
Insurance companies don’t want to pay for a PAP device that you aren’t using.
How does my insurance company know if I’m using my device?
In response to the insurance companies requirement that you prove you are using your device BEFORE they will pay for it, PAP device manufacturers have developed ways to more easily obtain that data, called “compliance data” or “usage data.”
These are the most common ways of obtaining the data:
- Smart card. Each PAP device has a data card, or memory card, located inside of the device that stores your usage data on a rolling basis (usually around 12 months of data). It’s a small card like the memory card used in a digital camera. The card can be removed (the data is also stored inside of your device) and sent to your physician or equipment provider to download the data and generate a report. There is no wireless transmission of data, but this does require additional steps such as mailing in the data card or scheduling an appointment with the equipment provider to have the data downloaded.
- Attachable modem. A separate modem can be purchased and attached to a PAP device. It uses cellular service to transmit the data on a regular basis. Modems can be used for short period or for the entire length of therapy. Data is transmitted about an hour after the machine stops being used.
- Wireless-enabled PAP device. The newest devices have built in modems that use Wi-fi, Bluetooth or cellular service (or a combination of them) to transmit your data. Assuming that it has access to a wireless signal, the machine will automatically relay usage data to the patient’s care provider about one hour after the machine stops being used.
With both the attachable modem and the wireless-enabled devices, if for some reason a wireless connection is not available, the data can also be stored on the data card inside the device.
What information is being tracked?
Data-capable CPAP machines collect several statistics pertinent to successful CPAP therapy, such as hours the device was used, time spent sleeping, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), and leak rate. With this information, treatment specialists can monitor a patient’s progress, check his compliance, and prescribe changes in therapy as required. Some devices even allow for remote trouble-shooting like checking to see if the device is working properly and making changes to the pressure settings (by prescription only).
Most insurance compliance guidelines require that you show proof of using your device for a minimum of 4 hours per day at least 22 days out of a consecutive 30 day period within the preceding 90 days (in the past 3 months).
Where does the data go?
It depends on the type of monitoring device and the manufacturer of your device. At the very least, the data is obtained by your equipment provider who is billing your insurance to obtain payment for the device. The report will be sent to your insurance company. The data is securely stored by your provider and you have the right to request your medical records, if desired. Your physician may also wish to see your compliance data in order to better manage your therapy.
How often will I need to show proof of compliance?
This also depends on the requirements of your insurance plan. For several years, many insurance companies, including Medicare, have required proof of usage in order to pay for the on-going rental or purchase of a PAP device.
Proof of compliance for replacement supplies
Recently, insurance companies are also requiring proof of usage on a yearly basis before they will authorize the payment of replacement supplies. Replacement supplies are the additional masks, cushions, filters and tubing that must be replaced at regular intervals to ensure optimal performance of the PAP device. Replacement supplies are usually shipped to you by your equipment provider every 90 days.
Again, insurance companies don’t want to pay for equipment you’re not using.
Efficient treatment or Too Much Information?
Data-capable CPAP machines could mean more effective, tailored sleep apnea care and a general increase in compliance. It also requires continual monitoring of one of the most private areas of a person’s home. What do you think? Do the advantages outweigh the cost in privacy?
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2014 and has been edited and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Other posts you may find interesting:
- Will My Insurance Cover CPAP? Frequently Asked Questions About Coverage
- At What Severity Will Insurance Cover CPAP for Sleep Apnea?
- Insurance for Bilevel PAP
- Medicare Coverage for CPAP and Supplies
- How Does the Affordable Care Act Treat Sleep Apnea?
Comments posted previously on the Sleep Better Blog:
Cpaps that transmit data are an invasion of privacy
It’s not hard to understand why people feel that way! This practice presents an important issue to the changing health care industry about whether efficient treatment or patient privacy is more important.
Katharine Chambers
I believe it is an invasion of privacy too. I think the data card is enough. You should voluntarily give the card your doctor to show compliance. I think the doctor should see the information first before it is given to a company that will do who knows what with. This is a real concern.
Hi, Katharine. I agree, it’s a huge concern. The modems in the devices we use can be turned off or put in “airplane” mode.
Jeff Greer
The durable medical equipment supplier can download the minute by minute data, not just the summary data. In my case, the DME changed my settings and then called me after the fact, no discussion, just do as I say!
The way PAP data typically works is that providers can see trend data, not minute by minute data. Any changes to the device’s settings should involve the patient, especially remote changes to device pressure.
Rose Rose
What about the health dangers in just having a modem or wireless transmitter that close to your head for 10 hours a night. Even if its turned off.
Hi Rose. That’s a valid concern. It’s the similar sleeping with a cell phone near (or in) your bed that’s powered on but the cellular and wifi receivers are turned off. The PAP machine will operate as it is plugged into the wall and the data will be stored locally on a memory card. Another option may be longer tubing to increase the distance between your head and the device. Standard tubing is about 6 feet long but you can get longer 10 ft tubing.
Dave Jones
As a sleep service provider, remote monitoring is a more efficient way of obtaining patient compliance and quality of treatment without the need for the patient to undertake a time consuming and sometimes costly journey to the sleep service, which should be a critical essential part of the treatment pathway. The benefits for patients who have mobility issues or transportation issues are immense. Of course permission for the service to monitor the data must be requested by the service before monitoring commences. In UK we are the leaders in applying remote monitoring, and 99% of our patients love it. Compliance rates have improved and treatment drop out rates are significantly reduced. Early intervention and communication with patients has resulted in increased patient satisfaction with the service. From a business point of view remote monitoring has reduced DNA rates and Increase work efficiency. Used in a controlled professional environment remote monitoring is extremely safe and patient friendly. For those patients who want timely professional help remote monitoring is the best way to go.
Hi, Dave. That’s good to hear. We’re embracing the technology because of the opportunities for early intervention and communication. It’s also much less of a hassle than mailing SD cards back and forth. Thanks for sharing.
The card data collection is not accurate. My data card said I did not use the machine for 49 out of a 180 day period. I am a degrees Chem. engineer out of Purdue with 35 years experience in industry and I know for a fact I have missed 4 days over this period. These chips are B.S. .
Hi Pat, we’d be happy to take a look at your card for you. It might be time for a new device (you can check with your insurance or your DME provider) that has wireless monitoring. We’ve had lots of issues with corrupted data cards and are relieved to use the new devices. Good luck! -Julia
Richard Taylor
I have a problem with the invasion of privacy with this system and the overall trend in society now to use remote monitoring with the use of cameras, data and voice recording and so on. As for “mandatory compliance” how about a novel idea (ASK and TRUST) the patient if they are using their device and if they have any questions or issues with the system. Only a very small percentage of the patients should want or need remote monitoring. When I finally take my last breath and leave this life I would hope that my family will know before some stranger in a remote location sees the data that is transmitted to them. I have integrity and I’m honest don’t treat me with disrespect and keep your remote surveillance out of my life. This technology and the personnel to man it only increases the cost to all of us.
Hi Richard. I totally understand your concerns. The ultimate goal should be helping patients use the devices to improve their health. While I think that some of the new technology can really help to improve patient outcomes, it’s really the healthcare provider who can make the most difference. Education and support are key! Good luck with your therapy.
Pat Fisken
I have been using a CPAP successfully for about 10 years. This spring I got a new machine that monitors remotely and also has a card to monitor. I have had great compliance always. But lately I have been waking up in the middle of the night, I believe because of the high EMR that is emitted by the wireless monitoring device. I am electro-sensitive, and I think that this wireless feature is decreasing my effective usage. I am going to speak with my health provider to see if this new ‘convenient’ feature on my CPAP machine can be disabled. The card had worked well for the last 10 years! I now feel like my therapy is compromising my health (as well as invading privacy).
Julia Rodriguez
Hi Pat. I understand your concern. I believe that most of the devices that transmit via cellular only transmit data in the morning about an hour after you stop using it. I don’t think it’s emitting any signal other than during transmission, but it’s a good idea to check with your manufacturer. Another option is to put it in “airplane” mode and only turn on the wireless transmission once a week or so. That way you can have the benefits of remote monitoring but not risk the emissions. Good luck.
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