Encore SmartCard and Data Management Software Questions

I will be getting a REMstar Pro2 CPAP System with Heated Humidification and C-Flex. They tell me that this includes Encore SmartCard and Data Management Software that enables treatment tracking to include:

Data & Information Storage
• Data Storage Capacity: 9 months & 3 usage sessions/day
• Data Storage Content: Date/Time, duration at pressure, ramp usage
• Compliance Meter: Breathing Detection

My question is, what exactly will this software tell me and my doctor? Also, is the CPAP and other equipment I will be getting considered good quality?

Thank you,
Mike

Mike,
The RemStar Pro 2 keeps the data you listed--strictly compliance data. Compliance is something that you can personally report (How often are you using the machine?) The data downloads from this machine will verify to your doc (or DME) how often you use the machine and for how many hours. (Remember the adage, "Trust, but verify!) Compliance is generally defined (at least by the Respironics software) as 4 hours or more of usage per night. Some docs (and DME's) use this data to determine whether or not coverage should be continued--good compliance=continued coverage.

What this machine won't track are your events (snores, hypopneas, apneas and variable breaths). This data is only detected and tracked by "auto" PAP machines, like the RemStar Auto.

IMHO the RemStar Pro is a fine CPAP, and should work well for you. I used one for 18+ months before converting to the "Auto".

Grant

The Remstar Pro 2 is probably the best non-auto CPAP. C-Flex is required and if you are getting it that's good!

If I'm you I would insist on a Respironics Remstar Auto with C-Flex

Here's a user review of Respironics Encore Pro Software Derek wrote up:

viewArticle/Encore-Pro-Respironics-CPAP ... Derek.html

That review is awesome and will answer just about all of your questions! If you've got more though, please fire away.

There was one very important question you didn't ask: which mask should I get. You can have the best blower in the world, but it's a hill of beans without a comfortable mask. Here are some people like:

Aura

Activa (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/767)

Breeze (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1451)

Good luck!

The new REMstar Pro 2 is a powerful tool for promoting compliance with OSA therapy. It provides the comfort of C-Flex technology and also captures enhanced compliance data (AHI, leak, and snoring) with the Encore Pro SmartCard and Data Management Software. The older Remstar Pro does not record Apnea Hypopnea Index, Leak, or Snore. The two machines are otherwise identical.

This unit will record AHI. The old unit won't. You will be able to see the same report that Derek showed in his review but the pressure will remain constant unlike the Auto. You will be able to show the Doc how well that pressure is treating your apnea. You also will be able to generate the compliance reports.

If you have questions while trying to set it up, ask, there are a lot of folks that have the software working.

Newsgrouper, here are some links to product descriptions at cpap.com:
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REMstar Pro C-Flex CPAP, REMstar Heated Humidifier with bag, hose and manuals $594

"Encore Pro SmartCard compatibility records compliance information."

click this link to see the Pro

My note: The Pro shows only compliance - number of hours the machine was used. Useless info for the patient, who already knows if he/she is actually using the machine. Certainly not worth the buying the Encore Pro software just to see "hours of use" on the Smart Card.
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REMstar Pro 2 C-Flex CPAP, REMstar Heated Humidifier with bag, hose and manuals $629

"The new REMstar Pro 2 is a powerful tool for promoting compliance with OSA therapy. It provides the comfort of C-Flex technology and also captures enhanced compliance data (AHI, leak, and snoring) with the Encore Pro SmartCard and Data Management Software."

click here to see the Pro 2

My note: The Pro 2 shows AHI, etc., - more information than just hours of use. This product description, however, sounds kind of like the software to see all that comes with the machine, but I don't think it does. The "Smart Card" comes with it, but you can't "read" the Smart Card without the Encore Pro software/card reader. As far as I know, the Encore Pro Data Management Software and card reader always have to be purchased separately if you want to actually see the information that gets put on the Smart Card each night.
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REMstar Auto C-Flex CPAP, REMstar Heated Humidifier with bag, hose and manuals $790

click here to see the Auto

As you can see, for about $160 more (buying online) one can have a fully featured autopap. Since any autopap can be set to run as a straight cpap if that's what the doctor wants, it's like having two machines in one. If set to run in autopap mode, it's like getting a mini-sleep study every night - no more wondering, "Is the single pressure I was prescribed still right for me?"

Of course DME (local bricks and mortar home health care supplies stores) will have wildly different sticker prices for the various types of machines. But most of the time, what the DME's sticker price says and what the DME actually expects to collect from an insurance company are also "wildly different". That's why the DME will always be pushing you toward straight cpap (cheaper for them.) I'd try to get my doctor to write the prescription specifically for a Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex and REMstar Heated Humidifier. Get this one and you can run it either way - as a CPAP with C-Flex or as an Autopap with C-Flex.

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The Encore Pro software/card reader to actually "read" the Smart Card that comes with the Auto would have to be a separate purchase. The Encore Pro software and reader cost almost $200:

click - Encore Pro Software & Smart Card Reader ( USB ) $199

This is what it takes to read the smart card whether you want to see the compliance data from the REMstar Pro, or the greater amount of data about AHI, etc. from the REMstar Pro 2, or (better yet, imho) from the REMstar Auto.

_______________________________________

Newsgrouper, if you stick with what they are going to get you...the Respironics REMstar Pro 2, you might want to double check with them about whether they are giving you the software. I'd be surprised if they are going to do that, since the software alone is quite expensive - $200 online purchase. They might be talking about just the "Smart Card" itself, which comes already stuck in the side of those REMstars. The "Smart Card" alone won't show you anything from any REMstar, unless you have the software and card reader to "read" the Smart Card. Some DMEs will read the card for you free, some charge to read it for you, some won't even do that for you at all.

As far as I know, no REMstar comes WITH the software included in the package, unless the seller were to throw it in. I haven't seen any online store that does that, or heard of any DME giving the patient the software. Software and card reader for seeing the overnight data is a different, separate purchase entirely. Software isn't something that any DME would sell you, that I know of. At least not without a doctor specifying that on an Rx. I'd say the software would always be an out-of-pocket expense. I can't imagine any insurance company paying for the patient to have software.

The software and card reader can be purchased online without a prescription.

Thanks for your help folks. You are correct rested gal, the software does not come with the machine. I would prefer the auto also but the RemStar Pro 2 is the best they will do for me. Do you think the software and reader would be worthwhile? It will tell me some things about my condition, correct?

This is all so confusing. A few weeks ago I didn't know that this condition exists. Thank God for you guys and your combined expertise.

If you can afford it, I would try to work out a deal to pay the extra money and get the auto. Its worth a try. Miracles do happen!

I don't have that option loonlvr. I am getting my equipment from the Veterans Administration and have no choice at this time. I am going to buy the software package (what's the best site to but it from?) to better take care of myself. I will probably rely on the kindness of rested gal and Mikesus for technical and interpretive guidance. I am so grateful to everyone in this forum.

Thanks

Don't forget Wader, SWS, Derek.... There are a lot more knowledgable folks than me!!!

I don't mean to forget anyone Mikesus but so many folks have helped me here. I am on this board at least 10 time a day trying to learn. I am learning a lot here.