Sleep Apnea Leads to Major Health Problems

Savon Medimart's sister company, Safety First Sleep Solutions, can reduce the risk of sleep deprivation related accidents by offering affordable, low cost testing and treatment solutions for sleep apnea with sleep therapy experts available 24/7 to assist with any questions or problems.  SFSS uses a convenient, in-home low cost testing system that enables patients to be tested in the comfort of their homes.  A large component of the program is educating truck drivers, and the industry, on sleep apnea to help them become healthier.

At this time, the program is geared towards truck drivers, but it can be used for any shift workers, factory workers, pilots, bus drivers, railroad engineers or anyone where sleep apnea can cause poor productivity and put themselves and others at a great risk for accidents.  We want to help employees and companies keep the number of employee related accidents to a minimum.

The most important reason for recognizing and treating sleep apnea is to prevent future health incidents such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, impotence, stroke and heart attack.  Treating sleep apnea early in life enhances your future health and longevity.  When we sleep at night our airway is normally open, like a straw, allowing air to easily flow in and out. Oxygen moves through the lung tissue into the blood stream attaching itself to red blood cells.  These cells carry oxygen to your major organs to keep your body healthy and functioning properly.  With sleep apnea, the airway is narrower (snoring is a sign of a narrow airway) and becomes obstructed, causing the exchange of oxygen to not occur correctly.  In untreated sleep apnea, the exchange of oxygen does not occur causing the organs to not be properly oxygenated.

Think of it this way:  Vehicles require oil to keep the engine running properly.  The engine will be destroyed if the oil is dirty and disgusting.  Drivers would never allow this to happen.  The same can be said for oxygen rich blood and organs.  Untreated sleep apnea causes malfunctioning organs which causes many health related issues.  

Robin Ivany, Savon Medimart VP says: “Not only does untreated sleep apnea cause countless accidents, left undetected, it can lead to a plethora of other major health problems.  It just makes tremendous financial sense for companies to be proactive with this health issue.  This condition creates such a tremendous liability for companies, mostly because most people that actually have sleep apnea do not even know they have it.  There are no blood tests, for instance, to detect such a condition.  People are dangerously sleep deprived while they routinely operate vehicles or machinery throughout the day.  This is even a problem for employees that sit at a desk all day.  It is a huge productivity issue.” 

Put Your Insurance Card Back In Your Wallet

What makes Savon Medimart stand out from the rest when it comes to medical equipment and supplies?   SMM is dedicated to selling quality medical grade equipment and supplies to our customers at a discounted rate.  Medical equipment prices are constantly changing because of large insurance conglomerates that control the cost and reimbursement of products.   The majority of DME (durable medical equipment) companies are at the mercy of the insurance companies deciding if they want to cut their reimbursement rate or not.  During the past few years our industry has taken drastic cuts in reimbursement, some in excess of 49%.  Many companies have closed their doors because they can’t cover the cost of the product let alone additional overhead costs.   DME companies are being forced out of business at a drastic rate.  As a business owner, I knew I had to change the way we do business, not only for the livelihood of our business, but for the customers involved.  Customers are dealing with these ramifications on a daily basis.  Many customers are unable to find providers to take on their needs because the population of DME companies has dwindled so drastically over the past few years.  

My plan was to stay in business by changing our model.  We opted for a “no insurance contract model”.   Savon Medimart does not accept insurance payments of any kind and opted to be a cash and carry business.  We accept cash, checks and major credit cards.  Our prices are much lower compared to a DME company who is mandated to charge you higher prices because of insurance contracts.

Insurance companies not only cut our reimbursement but they have also made it almost impossible to get good health insurance coverage without paying an arm and leg.  More and more middle class families are unable to pay insurance premiums and have opted to go to the Marketplace to find more reasonable options.  “Cheaper” is not always better when it comes to insurance.  However, not being able to pay the rent and buy food for your family is not an option either, so off to the market place they trot.  Affordable options, yes, but let’s talk about deductibles.  The average deductible from the Marketplace can ranges anywhere from $3000.00 to $10,000.00.  This insurance will cover your family during a catastrophic event, but most healthy people don’t end up spending up to $10,000.00 on medical bills in a year.  Hence, buying your medical equipment and supplies from Savon Medimart proves to be a better option for individuals with outlandish deductibles.  Why pay more money for coinsurance fees when you can purchase discounted items for much less money out of your pocket. 

Know your insurance options before you hand over your insurance card to purchase your medical equipment and supplies.  Don’t be afraid to ask the right questions.  Know how much your insurance will pay for a product and ask the DME company how much they will be billing for those products.  Once you have the information you need, call Savon Medimart and see how much less you will be spending on the exact same products.  You will end up saving money in the long run.  Also, feel free to submit your own claim to the insurance company so that it can be added to your deductible.  Every penny counts when it comes to insurance deductibles.  Let Savon Medimart not only save you money but educate you on the products that will benefit you and your family. 
Savon Medimart prides itself on taking care of our customers by first making sure they get the products and services they need, but most importantly, at the lowest most affordable rate possible.  Put your insurance card back in your wallet and visit us for all your home medical needs including portable oxygen concentrators, Cpap and BiPap, nebulizers, lift chairs, hospital beds, bathroom safety aids, braces, tens units, ice packs / cold therapy, scooters, wheelchairs and bandage supplies and much more.  Visit one of our three locations in Girard, Twinsburg and Boardman or call us at 855-545-6685.

Article by Robin S. Ivany
Vice President/General Manager of Savon Medimart

First Aid Kits

From personal settings to professional offices, a well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have.

Whether buying a kit or making your own, pass the first test of readiness by keeping a first aid kit available in the appropriate nooks and crannies of your life. You should have one in your car, at your office, and in your home. Students should have handy a mini kit for their backpacks.

Stock the kit with emergencies in mind. At minimum, include adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic wipes, a pair of latex gloves, and a roller bandage along with adhesive cloth tape.

Students can get by with the minimum, which will help to address a scrape or cut. Parents who are on-the-go should consider additional components, like medicine, to round out their first aid kits. Include antihistamines to treat allergies and swelling, pain and fever medicines, anti-nausea medicine for motion sickness, or antacids for an upset stomach. Add calamine lotion to save the day from an unfortunate encounter with poison ivy, and hydrocortisone cream for other types of skin issues. If you are heading out for especially robust activities like hiking or boating, be sure to add lotions with aloe or soy to help soothe any unfortunate sunburns, and stock up on thin, gel bandages that flex with your feet but stay put over late-day blisters.

First aid kits are more than practical—they are personal, so think about the special needs of your everyday life. Even at the office, it quickly becomes apparent to the staff which employee houses a first aid kit that includes ibuprofen or a spare stash of saline solution. You will benefit from having these supplies for your personal needs, while your friends will appreciate your preparedness when they have their own run-ins with a bee sting or a random burn from the office coffee pot.

You can find out more information about first aid kits by calling Savon Medimart 1-855-545-6685.