Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	High Cost of Medical Treatment
Date:	11/14/2015 12:11:21 AM

i had my annual physical a few weeks ago. The doctor visit was $125.00 not counting any lab work or other tests that were prescribesl such as chest x-rays, breathing tests, lab work, carotid artery check, plus others. i told my doctor that i thought i might have sleep apnea and he made me an appointment with a sleep specialist. All that doctor did was take my blood pressure and temperature, check my heartbeat, and had me fill out a questionaire with such questions as do you smoke, do you drink, do you tire easily, do you snore and other similar questions. That doctor visit was $175.00. He referred me to a sleep clinic to evaluate me for sleep apnea. The first night was to determine if i had sleep apnea, which i did. The second night was to establish the measurments for seting my sleep machine. i don't know the cost of those two nights. Then i go back to my sleep doctor so he can write me a prescription so i can get the sleep machine. i don't know the charge for the last doctor visit or the cost of the machine. i'm sure it won't be cheap. i guess everybody has to get a piece of the action.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	High Cost of Medical Treatment
Date:	11/14/2015 1:00:12 AM

What type insurance do you have???  Medicare? Medicaid? Obamacare?

Name:	John boy -	Reply
Subject:	High Cost of Medical Treatment
Date:	11/14/2015 2:32:57 AM (updated 11/14/2015 2:33:41 AM)

It won't be cheap because I had one done several years ago and I think it was like 1200 or so for one night.

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	High Cost of Medical Treatment
Date:	11/14/2015 8:20:36 AM

Forget the breathing equipment.

The doctor does not give you an option for diet and excercise.

That is the one you want.

Lose weight, quit smoking -  no apnea, no diabetes, no problems.

Yes I did the CPAP thing too.  Forget the doctor solutions.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	High Cost of Medical Treatment
Date:	11/14/2015 10:11:11 AM

I once worked for a company (different division) that set up partnerships with doctors to operate "sleep centers".  Yes, many doctors are part owners of the sleep centers/CPAP sales operations.  Works like this:  Patient is sent from GP (part owner) to pulmonologist (part owner), who refers patient to sleep center.  Sleep apnea is determined and patient just has to have CPAC which is sold and administered by sleep center, which is owned partially by all referring doctors.  It is illegal for docs to get kickbacks, but they can own up to 5% of the business.  Everybody does well except the patient, who is stuck trying to sleep with a mask on...

BTW, sleep apnea IS a major cause of cardiac problems.  Don't breathe, 02 levels in blood drops, heart pumps stronger trying to correct low 02, heart struggles, heart attack....

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	High Cost of Medical Treatment
Date:	11/15/2015 9:07:21 AM

Has anyone ever had a sleep study where they found no sleep apnea?  I sometimes wonder if sleep apnea isn't one of those disagnosis that is just routine.  Then the Dr. refers you to his preferred equipment provider and from them on you are buying supplies.