Australian Medicare support for CPAP ?

[BHappy]

Hello, 

New member here. Was diagnosed with apnea a year or so ago. Recently did my titration study and see the specialist tomorrow for its results. 
I wanted to ask if someone here knows what exactly is the go with medicare with respect to CPAP machines ? I have no insurance and rely on medicare.
I did research here on the forum and got confused with the American medicare. 

Thank you for your time on this. 

Cheers,

[ajack]

if you are unemployed or pension health care card etc, it's a free machine. Other than that, it's out of your own pocket/private health

[BHappy]

if you are unemployed or pension health care card etc, it's a free machine. Other than that, it's out of your own pocket/private health

Uh oh. Happily employed and pay a lot of tax. Its a shame I don't rely on the gov for anything (other than medicare)

[ajack]

cheapest is online and secondhand from gumtree etc, just make sure they are low hours and download the manual to how to find the hours.
I bought an auto machine for the 200 they were going to charge me for a trial. It gives you time to work out what you like and need. The new machine will be informed and you will have a spare if needed.

[holden4th]

Medicare (Australia) don't come to the party apart from the sleep study. I also found that my health fund doesn't either.

OSA is one of those 'rare' afflictions here in Australia that doesn't cause road accidents involving huge trucks or small cars, affect work performance or cause mental illness issues. You fell asleep at the wheel because you had been driving for too long. You are not trying hard enough at work to understand what is required and as for your depression - please visit the Beyond Blue website or just get over it.

My GP doesn't understand it and he's a very clued in doctor. It's one of those hidden illnesses that are frequently misdiagnosed. My cardiologist diagnosed my OSA which is almost like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. I am grateful for his insight as it's enabled me to treat my own health issues - at my own cost of course.

Don't buy locally - get your machine from the US and save at least 60% of the cost here in OZ.

[BHappy]

Thanks guys. Some google-fu has revealed these guys have good prices. <Link removed. Search for Secondwind CPAP> I will keep them in mind. Wonder if the CPAP they sell will work with the OZ voltage. I probably will have more questions after my specialist appointment tomorrow. 
My GP on the other hand had almost stopped short of driving me to the sleep clinic when he sensed I may have apnoea. Strangely, I do not feel any symptom associated with apnoea. I get a good nights sleep. Not tired or fatigued. Dont feel the need to sleep during the day. So, somehwere, deep within, I don't feel I have apnoea and I am not in denial at all. I wonder if the tests are rigged. Just sell the machine to anyone who snores. 

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[Sleep2Snore]

Thanks guys. Some google-fu has revealed these guys have good prices. <Link removed>  I will keep them in mind. Wonder if the CPAP they sell will work with the OZ voltage. I probably will have more questions after my specialist appointment tomorrow. 
My GP on the other hand had almost stopped short of driving me to the sleep clinic when he sensed I may have apnoea. Strangely, I do not feel any symptom associated with apnoea. I get a good nights sleep. Not tired or fatigued. Dont feel the need to sleep during the day. So, somehwere, deep within, I don't feel I have apnoea and I am not in denial at all. I wonder if the tests are rigged. Just sell the machine to anyone who snores. 

Yes, they are the people to try for a good second hand machine.
It will be packaged properly for customs as well.  Marked medical.

[trish6hundred]

Hi BHappy,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you as you start your CPAP therapy.

[TheDuke]

Thanks guys. Some google-fu has revealed these guys have good prices. <Link removed>  I will keep them in mind. Wonder if the CPAP they sell will work with the OZ voltage. I probably will have more questions after my specialist appointment tomorrow. 
My GP on the other hand had almost stopped short of driving me to the sleep clinic when he sensed I may have apnoea. Strangely, I do not feel any symptom associated with apnoea. I get a good nights sleep. Not tired or fatigued. Dont feel the need to sleep during the day. So, somehwere, deep within, I don't feel I have apnoea and I am not in denial at all. I wonder if the tests are rigged. Just sell the machine to anyone who snores. 

All the major brands of XPAP's operate readily with either 120 or 240 volts. A machine purchased from an American supplier will need an adapter plug to use on OZ outlets, because the power connection cord will have a plug intended to fit American AC outlets.Adapter plugs are inexpensive and easy to find here in USA, and likely so in OZ as well.

TheDuke

[ajack]

over AU$1,000 inc. freight, there is an aussie 10% tax and customs clearance agent charges. You can do customs yourself, but you will need to sort it out beforehand.