1/ A couple of months ago, I discovered my health insurer was monitoring my sleep and using it to deny me benefits.
So I told my colleague @marshall_allen…
propublica.org/article/you-sn…
So I told my colleague @marshall_allen…
propublica.org/article/you-sn…
2/ I use a CPAP for sleep apnea. My doc gave me a prescription to change machine settings and get a new mask.
3/ A service provider place used to have send a tech to change the settings. Which was annoying (as is the whole Cpap thing, but that’s not the point)
Now they said, “We can send you ‘wireless modem’ for your Cpap so we can change your settings remotely.” I was like great!
Now they said, “We can send you ‘wireless modem’ for your Cpap so we can change your settings remotely.” I was like great!
4/ So my provider sent me ‘wireless modem’ to plug into my Cpap. Awesome!
Except I didn’t get the mask that the doctor told me I needed. So I called the provider was like, "Where's my mask?"
And that's when they said, "Well, you haven't been compliant."
Except I didn’t get the mask that the doctor told me I needed. So I called the provider was like, "Where's my mask?"
And that's when they said, "Well, you haven't been compliant."
5/ My provider said, "We see you u only used your CPAP for 3 1/2 hours Tuesday and only 3 hours on Monday.”
And that’s when my head exploded.
And that’s when my head exploded.
6/ Turns out the ‘wireless modem’ my CPAP provider sent me wasn’t just for my convenience! My health insurer required it. They were looking at my effing sleep. And deciding whether I was being "compliant."
7/ I was -- almost -- speechless. "You're monitoring my sleep and using it to deny me something my doctor says I need??? And btw, the reason i'm not compliant is that you won't send me the thing I need!"
"Yes, I'm very sorry," said the nice lady on the line.
"Yes, I'm very sorry," said the nice lady on the line.
8/ So I got pissed and curious and told @marshall_allen. And it turns out, yep, health insurers are monitoring your sleep and using it to limit benefits.
propublica.org/article/you-sn…
propublica.org/article/you-sn…
9/ Also, ps, sometimes a story IS what happens to an editor, even in their sleep.
The end.
The end.
10/ Oh, I forgot to mention the best part: So after all this the provider has *still* not updated my settings -- which was, they said, the whole point of the 'wireless modem' in the first place!
Update: I figured today might be a good day to call my CPAP provider and ask them -- a third time -- to use their "wireless modem" to update my settings, which is what they had said the damn thing was for.
They said they finally did.
They said they finally did.
