Apnea sufferers can sleep easier

Residents in the province with sleep apnea can rest easier.

The provincial government has reversed a decision made earlier this year to limit coverage for sleep apnea services.

Beginning Oct. 1, patients requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines will be able to purchase a machine at a discount made available through the Saskatchewan government’s bulk purchasing process.

CPAP machines are flow generators used primarily to treat patients suffering from sleep apnea. The common disorder causes a person to take shallow breaths or pauses in breathing during sleep.

In the 2017-18 provincial budget, government announced it would provide CPAP coverage for just lowincome residents receiving Supplementary and Family Health Benefits.

“Following consultation with respirologists and review of processes in other jurisdictions, we’ve determined that the same annual savings could be achieved from an alternate approach,” said Health Minister Jim Reiter in a news release.

“This approach will reduce costs for patients and allow better access for those who need it, while still achieving the same savings for the province.”

With the revised approach, patients will not have to pay the full retail price of a CPAP machine, which costs approximately $1,500.

Instead, individuals with moderate to severe sleep apnea will be able to receive a machine on loan at a cost of $275 for the life of the machine.

CPAP machines, supplies and servicing continue to be fully covered for lowincome residents receiving Supplementary and Family Health Benefits.