Volara and Medicare

@irenea8 This video helped clear up a number of questions about Volara.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o9GE05PRVI
Essentially, it appears to be a neb and automated PEP device in one. One of my questions was when do you clear/huff. That time is programmed in throughout the treatment. There's a 30 minute max time, so the user cannot go on and on. The video showed a 17 minute treatment time, so maybe that's average?

How well Volara clears in comparison with other methods was not answered. Maybe someone that has it will chime in.

I have used the Volara since July 2022. My Medicare Advantage plan covered most of it.
It has alternating cycles of pressure which expands the airways and pulses which are kind of like an internal vest, all the while nebulizing (saline in my case). The nebulizer is weaker than my Ombra. So I use the Aerobika attached to the Ombra for morning airway clearance and the Volara in the afternoon. I was able to trial the Volara at NJH and my local pulmonologist before deciding to get it.

Hello, I'm on medical and have a supplemental plan. My doctor at NJH wants me to use this machine, but Hill Rom wont submit it to Medicare because they say they will not approve it. How did you get yours approved?
Thanks

Thanks Sue. I don't know if this is considered a "high frequency chest oscillation device" or not, since I am not very familiar with the device but I would think for it to work on secretions it would have to be, but according to the cms.gov website if it is, if you meet one of three criterion (i.e. CF, Bronchietasis (with qualifiers), or a host of neuromuscular disease diagnoses, AND have a well documented failure of standard treatments to adequately mobilize retained secretions, it should be covered by Medicare. I may be misreading something as I am not very familiar with this sort of thing and would love it someone would set me straight on where my thinking is incorrect. I will have to say, I was surprised that it might not be covered. I am wondering now if the Smart Vest and other similar devices are covered by Medicare. Anyone know from experience?

It looks a bit complicated on the video. I guess the basic idea is that it may help more than an Aerobika to loosen and clear the mucus. My first clearance session with neb followed by Aerobika lasts about an hour total but perhaps with this it would be less time. If anyone else uses this and finds it works better than flutter devices let us know!

Medicare does have a code to bill for a device like this.

Hi, do you know what the code is? HillRom told me that they are no longer submitting the claim to medicare. Do you know the code? I can't seem to get anywhere with them other than they will finance one for me, but will not submit the claim.