The Modem Thingy on your CPAP machine

My ResMed S9 Elite has a modem with a small antenna attached to the back. Initially, I believed that it was used to make sure that my therapy was working, but I later realized that it is mostly used to track compliance usage for insurance purposes. I'm not sure whether it is a modem or a cell phone or both but it does appear to use ATT's GSM cell network. I have been to Europe three times since owning the CPAP machine, and I always detach the modem first, not taking it along. I just assumed it wouldn't transmit from overseas anyway. But the device seems to transmit all the "missing" data when I return home from the SD card.

Is this data just used for compliance or will someone who is obviously not doing well in terms of therapeutic results actually get a call from their caregiver based on the data?

But it does have one practical use. Who else hangs their mask via the straps on the antenna in the morning?

In most cases compliance reporting is no more than 90 days. Check with your Insurance and DME.

Don't know about that... I have BC/BS of MA, and I am just past my 6 month anniversary. I am still "renting" my CPAP machine although after one year, I will own it. Curiously, I do own the Humidifier side of the machine! But don't want to get too off subject... which is the modem thingy. Makes a great hook for my mask straps!

I recently picked up an S9, and got a modem as well. My DME set me up with access to U-Sleep. A web service that the data is sent to. It has more than just compliance info, it also has AHI, leak data, and other info. Pretty much all of the summary data for each night. (no detailed waveform info, however).

While digging through all of the screens I had access to, I did find that a person from my doctors office also had access. So I can say it is possible for the modem to be used to help improve your therapy.

I've only had my machine for one month (today), so while I haven't seen any evidence that anyone is actually looking at the data, it's still to early to tell.

I have seen people post here that the efficacy data from their machine was being monitored by their doctor, and that they have been called when they detected a problem with the therapy. The new Resmed S10 model seems to have that feature and adjustments to pressure can be made remotely. Some people expressed a concern about that, preferring to handle that for themselves. Personally, I would love to have a medical professional care enough to bother looking at the data. Are you working with a doctor? If so, how often does your doctor follow up with you?

The S9 modem connects to the cell phone network. The data it sends is very limited compared to what's on the SD card. It appears that it just reports usage time and nightly averages for a few things like AHI, CA, leak, etc. (Not quite sure about the exact details.)

The compliance data is sent via modem, recorded on the SD card, and retained in the internal memory on the machine itself for 365 days, so don't worry about losing the compliance data unless you reset the CPAP machine itself through the clinician's menu.

With my PR Remstar modem the DME said they would make adjustments on pressures remotely depending on what the device reported back. Did he know what he was talking about? I have an auto A flex and am on week 3
Thanks!

Sleepysuz wrote:With my PR Remstar modem the DME said they would make adjustments on pressures remotely depending on what the device reported back. Did he know what he was talking about? I have an auto A flex and am on week 3
Thanks!

It's probably a wireless (cellular) modem on the back of the machine. It sends data to the DME on your pressure, AHI, leaks, etc. The DME, working with your doctor, can remotely change your settings if they think the data indicates you need it. They can then monitor how your results change with the new pressure settings.

Consider yourself lucky if the DME and doctor actually do the work to monitor the data and adjust your pressures. Most of them are too lazy or uncaring to bother.

Follow up to my questions. The first guy at the DME didn't know what he was doing. My mask was too big and he told me that with the modem they would be changing numbers and I wouldn't know unless I asked the doctor. Talked to a real nice guy that knows his stuff. He explained how the modem just gives the doctor and insurance info and he has nothing to do with it unless the doctor specifically orders a change in adjustments. Happy to say that I don't need any. Thanks to this forum I was able to read my data on Sleepyhead and see that over the last 3 weeks everything is great. The AHI is going down. Almost no leak with the right size mask. I can't imagine going to sleep without this thing. The hum of the machine has become my white noise to get me to relax into the arms of Morpheus.

I have not yet had a modem and hope I never do but from what I understand this is how it works ...

The modem feature was developed to aid the DME - to reduce the time & man hours needed to collect insurance data so they can get their money from the insurance. More marketing to get the DME's to use their product. I doubt that any insurance has an interest in connecting to the machine to get data - that is the DME's job.

Likewise it is unlikely you will have a doc connect to the machine to make changes or read data. It has always been the DME's responsibility to feed any data to the doc. Not directly to the doc but to an RT, nurse, or assistant in the docs office who will see that the info collected gets into the correct file or folder where the doc will see it when you visit.

Contrary to popular opinion I think it is unlikely that most docs will look at any data unless and until you are present in the office for a billable visit. They just don't work that way.

So if anyone is looking at your data or making changes it is likely the DME. BUT, the DME should only be making changes when the doc orders a change.

I think it is a major failure to leave the patient out of this modem data but also it seems the data the user (patient) can get directly from the machine is much more detailed and useful than what passes out of the modem. When the DME promises to send this data to the user it only delays what little data is available.

My feeling is leave the modem off (someone has to pay for that (cell) service and the modem). If/when the DME needs data I will send it to them via email (until the machine is paid for), no charge.

The modems (as well as downloads) are able to be linked to your physicians office IF the physicians office has their own account. There are physician offices (and physicians themselves) who do access patients data at any time.

See the doctor tomorrow so will get the scoop from her. Thanks for input from all!

I think my doctor and dme might be a little surprised to learn that a modem will not help them at all at my house. If they go by cell service, that is. I live in the boondocks and there is no cell service. I will have to let them know that whenever they decide I can get started on therapy. Hopefully it will be this week.

I'm a sleep consultant for many dme' s. It's used for compliance for the insurance as well as your Dr. to monitor how your device and pressure are working for the pt. The news ones have em built in so no more detaching them. Sorry about the straps for your masks.

Guest wrote:I'm a sleep consultant for many dme' s. It's used for compliance for the insurance as well as your Dr. to monitor how your device and pressure are working for the pt. The news ones have em built in so no more detaching them. Sorry about the straps for your masks.

I'd love to see some of the long-time xPAP users here chime in on this who have the newest machines. Do they have modems (or something similar) that cannot be detached? Mine is detachable, but is a few years old.