REMStar 60 Series....should I keep it

Maybe someone can offer some thoughts. My insurance covers my machine if I use it for 9 months. I went to the local dealer and they set me up with the REMStar 60 with Flex and a heated humidifier. They actually didn't offer me a machine choice and I'm wondering if I made a mistake not asking enough questions. I just found out the machine doesn't really have data capabilities. The only other issue I see is the exhale is difficult if I'm using nasal pillows even with the Flex option at it's highest (3). I'm wondering if a different machine might have a more normal exhale. I'm only paying a very small monthly payment, so on that end it's much better than expected. I'm just wondering if I should push for an APAP or a machine with data? You guys are awesome, hope this question makes sense.

sleepynewb wrote:Maybe someone can offer some thoughts. My insurance covers my machine if I use it for 9 months. I went to the local dealer and they set me up with the REMStar 60 with Flex and a heated humidifier. They actually didn't offer me a machine choice and I'm wondering if I made a mistake not asking enough questions. I just found out the machine doesn't really have data capabilities. The only other issue I see is the exhale is difficult if I'm using nasal pillows even with the Flex option at it's highest (3). I'm wondering if a different machine might have a more normal exhale. I'm only paying a very small monthly payment, so on that end it's much better than expected. I'm just wondering if I should push for an APAP or a machine with data? You guys are awesome, hope this question makes sense.

Welcome.

REMstar 60 doesn't tell us much. We need to know what machine you have. Take out the water tank so you don't spill any water. Turn the CPAP machine over, and look on the bottom of the blower unit for something like "REF 460." Tell us what that says.

How to find out which CPAP machine you have.

I'm a little confused. At the bottom of your post, you indicate that you have a, "PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine". If that is indeed the case, then it is an APAP machine, and it ought to have data capability. If it is really a 60 Series Auto, then it should say "Auto" on the gray top plate, and the model number should be xx560S. I am no great authority on these machines, but I have one myself and I looked into them quite a bit before acquiring it. I'm quite sure that all 60 Series machines have a slot for a data card. The slot is up high on the back of the blower. Some machines might have a Bluetooth or Cellular transmitter covering the slot, but if you pull that unit off, you should be able to see the slot.

Even if there isn't a card in the slot, it is my understanding that the machine has internal memory that will store data for at least a week. When you rotate the control knob to light up the 'Info' section, and then push down, you should see a list of data, including stuff like:

Therapy hours
Days>4
Large leak
AHI
Periodic Breathing
90% pressure
Humidifier

If you rotate the knob to highlight one of these items and select it, you should see the data that has been recorded for that item. For example, 'AHI' will give you your AHI for the last session, average for the last week, and average for the last month.

Anyway, if you see all this, then you do have data capabilities.

As for the difficulty in exhalation, it may be that the Autoflex isn't set right for your particular mask. Respironics masks have a number on them to match up with the Autoflex number. Otherwise, you can test the differences between numbers. I use a ResMed Airfit P10 nasal pillow mask, and I have no problem exhaling with the Autoflex A set at '1' (and, by the way, if you do have an 'Autoflex A' setting, then you have an APAP machine). I would go back to your provider to see if they can help you with this.

OK, I just checked, my Series 60 Auto is a model 560P, and the Autoflex setting is 3.

ALF wrote:I'm a little confused. At the bottom of your post, you indicate that you have a, "PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine".

He may not have gotten the right model checked. Let's wait until he reads the number off the bottom of the blower unit to be sure.

You guys really are awesome. So I'm looking at the bottom now. Would this be it? REMStar SE, DOM 220P? It looks just like this https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html

sleepynewb wrote:You guys really are awesome. So I'm looking at the bottom now. Would this be it? REMStar SE, DOM 220P? It looks just like this https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html

The 220 is a brick. No data.

If it is model 220 (usually can be found on the bottom of the blower unit) then it's a brick...no data except hours of use.
The correct choice in the equipment menu would be
PR System One 60 Series SE CPAP machine
It's the last one listed with 60 series in the name

Do you have a larger size nasal pillow available to try? If so go up one size and see if it helps with the exhale issues.

Give it back to them.. You don't need a brick.. Its a waste of money.

Ok, so a follow up.....

Anyone have any experience returning a CPAP to a DMR when going through insurance?

Is there a general opinion on what the go to machine is right now?

Thanks all!

sleepynewb wrote:Ok, so a follow up.....

Anyone have any experience returning a CPAP to a DMR when going through insurance?

Is there a general opinion on what the go to machine is right now?

Thanks all!

respironics with a REF number > 450, resmed S9 that does NOT say "escape" or a AS10 that does NOT say CPAP.

It looks like they may offer the Resmed S9 AutoSet. I believe it has data and a special exhale feature. Might this be a good option? Just wondering if they'll take the unit back 8 days later.

sleepynewb wrote:It looks like they may offer the Resmed S9 AutoSet. I believe it has data and a special exhale feature. Might this be a good option? Just wondering if they'll take the unit back 8 days later.

the s9 autoset (not escape auto) is a fine machine that does everything that the vast majority of people need or want

I just changed from a Respironics "brick"CPAP to a nice new S9 Autoset. Worlds better in every respect, IMO. There's nothin' like seein' a green smiley face and your AHI stats at the push of a button when you get up! I just need to be patient until that "new CPAP smell" dissipates a little. The DME folks make the largest profit by saddling people with the cheap, bare-bones machines and then charging the insurance companies the high prices that are allowed by a billing code/category. I'd tell em to take it back because it's virtually obsolete an you're not gonna' pay for it. Maybe ask your Doctor for an Rx with a specific APAP model specified. My Dr. just did it for me without any hesitation at all. Good luck !

An update....not very good news.

My DMR claims that insurance will only cover the bare bones model. I feel like I've seen conflicting reports on that here. She claimed basically all insurance companies only will cover a basic unit. Anyone have any experience regarding similar claims?


She said if I get a new script calling for an APAP she can swap it out for that, but I'm still not sure which model it would be and if it would have data or the exhale feature I was hoping for.