Treatment

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Therapy

PAP therapy is the most common and most successful treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

PAP therapy can help you live a longer, healthier life, with substantially better sleep. Your board-certified sleep medicine physician or primary care physician will provide instructions on how to obtain your device.

Use PAP all night, every night. The machine works best when used every time you sleep. Use PAP at night and even when napping during the day.

Treatment Services

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy

A CPAP device creates pressurized airflow, making it easier for you to breathe during sleep by keeping the upper airway open. CPAP therapy is effective for mild, moderate, severe and very severe cases of OSA.
Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure (BIPAP) Therapy

A BIPAP device creates pressurized airflow with an inhalation and expiratory pressure, making it easier for you to breathe during sleep by keeping the upper airway open. BIPAP therapy is effective for mild, moderate, severe and very severe cases of OSA and CSA.
Adaptive Servo Ventilation (ASV)Therapy

An ASV device detects reductions or pauses in breathing and creates pressurized airflow which continuously adjusts to maintain regular breathing patterns during sleep. ASV therapy is effective for mild, moderate, severe and very severe cases of CSA.
Replacement supplies and PAP equipment

The supplies for CPAP, BIPAP and ASV therapies should be replaced on a regular basis to maintain the most effective levels of therapy and patient safety. We offer a large selection from the top manufacturers in masks, tubing, filters and other accessories.
Ongoing Treatment Support

Our therapists and staff are available to assist you in acclimation to therapy and provide ongoing support for any issues or questions with your therapy, supplies and/or equipment to ensure the most successful outcome for your health. Meet face-to-face with your therapist or receive support by phone Monday-Friday or by appointment outside of regular office hours.

Therapist will answer questions

Therapist will review results of sleep study

Therapist will discuss benefits of PAP therapy

You will be shown how to use the PAP machine

You will be shown how to clean equipment

You will pick a mask based on your preference

Therapist will review insurance requirements with you

Therapist will discuss supply schedule

What to Bring to a Pap Setup

Insurance Card

Photo ID

Benefits of Pap Therapy

Long term use of PAP therapy is key for a better quality of life and reduced mortality rates. Consistent use of therapy helps reduce your risk of stroke, improve insulin sensitivity, and improves heart problems. Daytime alertness and concentration will start to improve as well.

Continued use of PAP therapy reduces health care costs, limits the risk of automobile accidents, and minimizes the amount of blood pressure medication needed in the future. Moods are improved, patients are admitted to the hospital at a lower rate and workplace accidents are less frequent.

Blood pressure

Improved blood pressure. Decreased risk for sudden cardiac death, hypertension, heart disease.

Stroke

Decreased risk of stroke. Improved alertness, mental focus, memory and work performance.

Mood

Improved mood, reduced risk of depression, anxiety, and lower prevalence of suicide.

Insulin

Improved insulin sensitivity, lower glucose levels, reduced risk of type II diabetes.

Lungs

Improved lung function, reduced mortality rate in COPD cases and improved asthma.

Auto accidents

Reduced risk of automobile and workplace accidents.

Libido

Improved libido, sexual function, and increased desire.

Costs

Lower annual medical expenses.

Auto Supply Program and Pap Supplies

It is important to replace your supplies regularly for proper maintenance of your device and continued success of your therapy. Your insurance will allow us to dispense supplies to you on a specified schedule which will vary by insurance.

Auto Supply Program:

If you would like to receive your supplies on a consistent schedule without having to take time out of your day to place the order, we can take care of that.
With our auto supply program, we will automatically send you your supplies when eligible, four times a year with free shipping.
This does not apply to all insurances. Certain Insurances are not applicable.
Changing out supplies regularly will help with compliance and therapy adherence.

We Will Send You A Letter To Inform You When You May Be Eligible For Supplies.

We will do our part so that you are never in a situation where you are out of supplies when you need them.

Mask Evaluation:

If you wish to try a new mask, please mention this during placement of your supply order.
We do offer a complementary mask evaluation at our convenient DME centers that are regionally located.

Maintenance

Clean your mask, tubing, and headgear after every use. We recommend that you clean the tubing and water chamber at least once a week and replace disposable filters every two weeks.

Make sure you keep up on ordering your supplies. We recommend participating with our Auto Supply Program so that you never miss an order. Regularly changing and cleaning supplies helps continue and create effective therapy.

Mask

Clean your mask once a day
Wipe down the silicon mask cushion
Use recommended mask wipes
Do not use alcohol on the mask cushion

Tubing and water chamber

Clean once a week
Soak in warm water with dish soap for 10 minutes
One-part vinegar and three parts water can also be used for 10 minutes
Hang the tubbing up to dry

Filters

Disposable filters need to be changed out every two weeks
Non-disposable filters should be rinsed weekly with warm water and soap

What happens if i do not clean my machine and supplies?

Bacteria grows on the mask and creates skin irritation and possible infection
Dirt and oil build up on the masks and transfers on to the face
Masks break down and harden when they are not cleaned
Uncleaned masks leak and crack

Why is cleaning my supplies so important?

Clean masks will reduce mask cushion cracks
Protects the quality of air you breathe
Promotes good hygiene
Increases the daily average of therapy usage
Helps improve compliance and meet insurance requirements

Insurance Compliance

Your insurance may have certain required documentation on your therapy. In order for your insurance to pay for your machine, they want to make sure that not only are you using it, but that therapy is improving your health.

Our PAP Therapists Are Here To Assist You.

Our PAP therapists will assist with any equipment or tolerance issues you may experience while on therapy.
We will call you on a schedule to check in and make sure therapy is going well for you. To ensure reimbursement for equipment, some insurances like to see that the therapy is beneficial to your health.
We are here to help. We want you to pass compliance with your insurance! Our therapists will always provide you with suggestions to keep you on the right track to passing compliance.
This service is free of charge. There is no annual service fee for the PAP Therapists help or education. The PAP therapists can also complete complementary PAP inspections if needed.

Compliance For Most Insurances Is Typically Defined As Usage Of Your Therapy For At Least Four Hours Per Session And 21 Out Of 30 Consecutive Days Within 90 Days.

If at any point you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding your therapy, please do not hesitate to call in and ask to speak to a dme therapist.

Mask Desensitization

A PAP Nap is a procedure we can do if you are experiencing resistance to PAP therapy at home.

Objective of PAP nap:

Our goal is to help diagnose and alleviate sleep disordered breathing. Our biggest obstacle in reaching this goal is patient discomfort, anxiety, or misconceptions regarding PAP therapy.

PAP Naps allow you to receive an in lab, daytime mock titration study as well as one-on-one care with a technician. This will help acclimate you to PAP therapy and address any issues or concerns.

During the PAP nap, you will be able to try on different masks and experiment with different pressures to see what is successful.

Indications may be:

claustrophobia or anxiety
discomfort/resistance to mask or pressure
inability to fall asleep with PAP therapy
discontinued home therapy

What to expect

The PAP Nap is a daytime procedure that lasts 2-3 hours. The PAP Nap helps initiate/improve your ability to complete a full night therapeutic study with PAP therapy. You will work with our registered sleep technologists who will perform:

mask fitting / desensitization
pressure desensitization

Frequent PAP Complaints and Questions

My mask is leaking

If your mask is not sealing correctly you may want to make some adjustments. It is normal to make small adjustments to your mask and headgear. If this doesn’t work, you may need a different mask

My machine is too noisy

Most modern machines are nearly silent. Call a PAP therapist to see how old your PAP machine is. We complete a complementary PAP inspection. If your new machine is loud, check the filter and make sure it is not blocked.

I am experiencing nasal congestion

If you experience sinus or nasal congestion during therapy, you may want to consider using saline nasal spray at bedtime. In addition, you may want to try increasing the humidity.

I feel claustrophobic when I wear my mask

Gradually work up to using your PAP therapy. Start by just holding it to your face and then wearing it while you relax during the day such as watching TV or reading a book. Try and wear it while you nap during the day and then during the night. If you are still experiencing adherence issues, please call a PAP Therapist and we can schedule a mask desensitization.

I have red marks on my face

Try losing the tightness of your mask. If your skin is still sensitive, look into mask liners or face pads that go in between your skin and the mask.

I have rain out in my tubbing

Try adjusting the humidity or the level of heat in your tubbing. If you are still experiencing rain out, please call a PAP therapist.

I can not fall asleep with my mask on

Some newer PAP users may have a hard time falling asleep with their mask on. It isn’t a bad idea to initially use your PAP device even when you are not intending to sleep. This will help you desensitize to therapy.

I do not like my PAP therapy

We can work with you and schedule a mask desensitization to help with PAP resistance. Once you adjust to PAP therapy, you will enjoy sleeping well again.

What happens when I travel?

You can take your PAP device with you. A travel case for the device and accessories often comes with the machine. Airport x-ray screening does not harm PAP machines. It is also considered a free carry on item. We recommend that you do not check your PAP equipment, so it does not become lost. You can also purchase a Travel CPAP that is small and not a burden to carry around.