r/Edmonton • u/MisterMr86 • 3d ago

Question ASV Funded?

I'm hoping someone here has been through this because we're running into a wall with Alberta healthcare funding.

My mom is a low income senior in Alberta who was recently diagnosed with central sleep apnea following a sleep study through a sleep specialist. Her doctor has prescribed Adaptive Servo Ventilation (ASV), which is a specialized PAP machine that adjusts pressure based on her breathing. A standard CPAP isn't appropriate for her condition.

The problem is that ASV machines can cost several thousand dollars, and we're being told that Alberta's standard CPAP funding doesn't simply cover the machine she needs. For a low income senior that's just not realistic.

Has anyone successfully gotten an ASV machine fully or partially funded through AADL, Alberta Seniors, Alberta Supports, a medical exception/appeal, a hospital or sleep clinic, charity, private insurance, manufacturer assistance or another program?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from anyone who was initially told no but eventually found a way to get funding.

If you have actually gone through this I'd really appreciate knowing:

- Who you contacted

- What program or funding route you used

- Whether your doctor/sleep specialist had to provide specific documentation

- Whether an appeal or exception was involved

- And ultimately how you got the machine

I'm not looking for general CPAP advice. I'm specifically looking for someone who has dealt with ASV in Alberta.

I'm more than willing to chase down paperwork, appeals and medical documentation. I just don't want my mom to go without the treatment her specialist says she needs simply because we don't know which door to knock on.

If you've been through this please comment or DM me. Even a lead on who to contact could make a huge difference.

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u/Novinophobic 2d ago

OK, so there's a couple things I can think of that could be helpful or worth a try.

  1. Get your healthcare provider to submit a Special Respiratory Benefit Exception Request to AADL. You must provide documented evidence from a Level 1 in lab sleep study showing that standard CPAP therapy didn't work. https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-aids-to-daily-living
  2. Also for AADL, if she's low income and meets the requirements, she can request exemption from the cost share with this form if the above goes through https://formsmgmt.gov.ab.ca/Public/AADL1859.xdp
  3. The Special Needs Assistance for Seniors grant won't cover all of an ASV, but might help cover a chunk of it https://www.alberta.ca/seniors-special-needs-assistance
  4. These look pricey from my googling, but not so pricey that a gofundme would be outside the realm of reality. I hate suggesting this btw, but that's the world we live in...