Compressor question

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anonymous

New member
My daughter has clinic tomorrow. Her compressor for her nebs we've had for over 2 years. Originally when we got the script for the compressor the doc wrote it for a Pulmo-aide compressor. The med equipment company sent us a Sportmist compressor which we've been using since she's been on nebs. SHe takes Pulmicort, Pulmozyme, and albuterol for nebs. I think the company gave us the wrong compressor, not sure, . The person I spoke with sid Pulmoaid and Sportmist is the same compressor but made by a different company. Anyone know if this is true? I feel like sometimes a I get a lot of misinformation.

My concern is 1: will the insurance cover a new compressor and 2. If my daughter needs TOBI can she use the compressor we have or do we need to get a new one anyway?

If we have to I'll buy the compressor myself because I want her to have what she's supposed to for her nebs. Especially since the meds are so expensive you want her to get the most out of them.

Any one know?
I'm gonna ask her pulmo anyway

Thanks

Rebecca(mom to Sammy almost 8 no CF and Maggie 3 1/2 with CF)
 
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LouLou

New member
call your insurance and ask them about Durable Medical Equipment coverage (DME) Then specifically about how often you can get a new compressor. Most are everyother year.
 
R

Ratatosk

Administrator
Staff member
I've never heard of a "Sportmist" compressor. So I googled it to see what it looks like. Doesn't resemble the devilbiss, which is kind of a beast of a machine. Did notice you can buy a new one on line for $50 -- so I suspect it's a cost issue. Wonder what your insurance company was charged... I'd contact your doctor and see what he or she says, or someone in the respiratory therapy deparmtment at your CF clinic.

The one we got a prescription for is a pari, but I ended up purchasing a pulmo-aide compressor on my own because tobi treatments were just taking too long, plus it's nice to have a back up nebulizer. L
 
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anonymous

New member
I'm annoyed because our doctor wrote for the Pulmo-aid compressor and we did not get it. I'll have him write a new script and get the pulmo-aid, then we can always use the one we already have for back-up. about how much $ is the Pulmo-aid?

Thanks!!!

Rebecca
 
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anonymous

New member
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.webbrx.com/DME/pulmoaide.htm">http://www.webbrx.com/DME/pulmoaide.htm</a>
 
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Lilith

New member
Hmm...I don't have either one of those compressors, but I just recently got a new one due to an insurance mix-up. My old one stayed around for about 7 years. I called my Abilities case manager (a CF aid program in my state) and asked about getting new neb cups. Well, they sent me a whole new machine! Now I use the Pari ProNEB Ultra. Between my insurance and Abilities, the cost of the compressor was covered.

I suppose the Sportmist could be some kind of generic for the Pulmoaid, but I'm not sure. As far as using TOBI, I don't see why you'd need another compressor for it. They function pretty much the same, to my knowledge. But definately check with your pulmonologist.
 
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anonymous

New member
When using tobi the pari neb cups and devilbiss compressor are what's recommended because I believe that's what all the tests/studies used when Tobi was getting approved. I notice when we use the pari compressor with tobi, it takes about 10-15 minutes longer. With the devilbiss, about 25 minutes.

When we got our orginal pari compressor, the insurance company was charged over $350, I was shocked when I was looking for a back up compressor for my inlaws and say they were about $79-100. I think I paid $100 for the devilbiss compressor I purchased last year. Has a 5 year warranty... Kinda bulky, but is a work horse. My inlaws have a 14 year old one that they got from DS's cousin, who used to have asthma and it works like a charm. Liza
 
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