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Comment by mcphage | Hacker News Reader

The fact that their anticipated price is $3/day is absurd. I can't see insurance companies rushing to cover this.

"The costs of untreated sleep apnea reach further than just health issues. It is estimated that in the U.S. the average untreated sleep apnea patient's annual health care costs $1,336 more than an individual without sleep apnea. This may cause $3.4 billion/year in additional medical costs. Whether medical cost savings occur with treatment of sleep apnea remains to be determined."[1]

So if it turns out that this treatment of sleep apnea can offset those increased healthcare costs, I could definitely see insurance companies being interested.

[1] Kapur V, Blough DK, Sandblom RE, Hert R, de Maine JB, Sullivan SD, Psaty BM (September 1999). "The medical cost of undiagnosed sleep apnea". Sleep 22 (6): 749–55. PMID 10505820

CPAP treatment (and no other substantial changes in my life) brought my blood pressure down from 160/110 down to 118/78. Previous doctors had tried, without success, to lower it with massive beta blockers and other medication. I just needed some damned sleep.

Insurance for CPAP is actually fairly generous. Mine will pay for a new mask (~$150) every 3 months, and a new machine every year (~$1k).

Have to meet my deductible first of course, but I suspect most insurance would LOVE to be paying only $3/day.

> Mine will pay for a new mask (~$150) every 3 months, and a new machine every year (~$1k).

Wow... that's some great insurance! I've got decent insurance, but mine will only cover 80% of costs, on a mask every 6 months, and a machine every 5 years.

Gold level Blue Cross plan via Obamacare. So yea, while not the absolute best it's pretty good.

Edit: Actually, I was wrong. Machine only every 5 years. They do cover masks/tubing every 3 months though.

Oh, phew. Still, 100% coverage, and faster masks is better than mine.

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