DME sold me discontinued REMstar machine

Was diagnosed in December 2015 after having met our BCBS of Il.deductible. Did not realize I had choice of machine (my mistake for not checking my insurance). Picked up machine in January 2016 (REMstar System One Auto A-flex). DME did not offer options, just brought out machine, showed me how to use it and sent me home with it. Was very helpful in letting me try various masks and in all other areas. Upon further visits to DME for supplies, I noticed most customers coming in had smaller, newer machines. These were also displayed in cases. When I asked why I was given this machine, was told that this is the machine DME prefers. Also offered to sell me different barely used similar machines. I said I wanted a DreamStation (as it seemed that most other clients had one). I recently discovered that the A-Flex had been discontinued for some time (way before DME gave to me and billed my insurance). Do I have any options at this point and is the practice of DME selling discontinued machines acceptable, standard, etc? As far as I can tell, machine works o.k. but is really clunky and I travel a great deal.

marybean wrote: A-Flex had been discontinued

aflex is a feature of all auto respironics machines. the dreamstation has aflex.

marybean wrote: for some time (way before DME gave to me and billed my insurance). Do I have any options at this point and is the practice of DME selling discontinued machines acceptable, standard, etc? As far as I can tell, machine works o.k. but is really clunky and I travel a great deal.

buy another machine. there's not much difference in size between the system one and the dreamstation. the DS is a little flatter, but not much.

system one: 10.75 in L x 6.5 in W x 4 in H
dreamstation: Approx. 11.7 in L x 7.6 in W x 3.3 in H

actually, looks like the dreamstation is *bigger* overall.

Thank you for the information specs. I guess I am mostly wondering about DME rep giving me a discontinued machine and billing my insurance company for the full allowable amount (and me the extra of over $100) while others coming at around the same time were given more current machines. If I am correct in my checking on this machine, it had been replaced by two generations of machines from Philips Respironics before I was given this one.

marybean wrote: If I am correct in my checking on this machine, it had been replaced by two generations of machines from Philips Respironics before I was given this one.

you can't know without looking at the REF number on the bottom, what REF (model) number is your machine?

and no, it doesn't matter that it's "discontinued".

I got an S9 escape for my first machine and the DME people treated me like they were giving me the best in equipment. Same as you will masks. After it was too late I figured out I should have gotten a better unit. Might have helped me out more.

Wish I could help you with your problem but I don't know too much about the rules. Seems like they had old stock and got you to take it, thinking there is not going to be too much you can do. Sorry for you problem and hope somebody has a better answer that can help you make it right. Many insurance companies will pay for a new machine every 5 years and that is what I had to wait on. If you can afford to you might keep an eye out for one you can buy outright, I didn't.

Thank you for asking about the model number. It is a 560PBT which looks to be just one generation behind the DreamStation. In general, I guess it is a pretty good machine with the only drawbacks being that breathing sounds really loud and that the heated tubing and humidifier don't always work. I'm not sure it is still under warranty but I can check that. I do appreciate your help.

If it's not working right maybe they would just swap you out for a newer machine. Sure worth trying

When I requested my Airsense 10 Autoset for Her, the DME said they could not get it right away.
"The warehouse could not get it" (((yeah, right)))
Since all my backups were functional, I said, "Fine, I'll wait."
It took a couple months for whoever was to blame [?] to finally ship the machine I insisted on.
If they know you can wait, (or you will go elsewhere), eventually the wheels WILL start turning.
---or you can drive down the road.

Spoke to several DME's about my new machine. The one closest to me said they only had the dreamstation so I looked at others. The one who is now working on it told me they had the airsense 10 but when she called to say they had the paperwork done I wanted to ask about the heated hose. She said she wasn't sure which machine I would be getting. When I go in we will see what they try to give me. I can walk out and find another dealer

marybean wrote:Thank you for asking about the model number. It is a 560PBT which looks to be just one generation behind the DreamStation. In general, I guess it is a pretty good machine with the only drawbacks being that breathing sounds really loud and that the heated tubing and humidifier don't always work. I'm not sure it is still under warranty but I can check that. I do appreciate your help.

there's nothing wrong with the 560, the dreamstation isn't any better, it doesn't use any improved treatment methods, it's just flatter, and white, and has a really annoying display.

marybean wrote:Thank you for asking about the model number. It is a 560PBT which looks to be just one generation behind the DreamStation. In general, I guess it is a pretty good machine with the only drawbacks being that breathing sounds really loud and that the heated tubing and humidifier don't always work. I'm not sure it is still under warranty but I can check that. I do appreciate your help.

As far as controlling your apnea the 560 should work as well as the DreamStation. Now if you feel like you were taken advantage of and should have received the latest and greatest, or they should have discussed a discount and let you decide which you wanted then that's a different story. And most DME's look out for their business first since they are paid the same for either unit and they still have new prior models on the shelf.

As far as the heated hose and humidifier, why do you think they are not working? The heated hose doesn't usually feel warm since it is cooler than body temperature but in the morning if you take your water out and feel the humidifier plate it should feel warm.

I purchased my PR system one 560 Auto in Nov 2016 from Cpap.com and it does a excellent job of treating my Apnea issues.
Just because PR released a New model and stopped producing the older model does not mean it can't do the job it was designed for.
In Jan 2016 you received a very good Apap machine that is sleepyhead data capable.
After reading Pro's & cons about the dream-station I decided to buy the 560 instead.
If the humidifier is in fact not working properly then get it repaired or replaced under the 2 year warranty.

I've got the same machine as you and bought it earlier this year after doing some extensive research. The main difference between the PRS1 560 and the Dreamstation is purely ergonomic. The most important point is that they both use the same algorithm to treat your sleep apnoea. The fact that this machine was discontinued made the pricing very attractive.

Yup.

They dumped it on you.

This is a long education process.

Thanks everyone for all the help and different perspectives. This is such a long education process, but I have learned a great deal from your replies and also from following other topics on the board. The bottom line is that I have a good machine with a few minor issues that can be easily fixed. After considering everything, (especially some of the problems with the DreamStation), I do think my DME rep was operating in my best interest. It's always great to find out that people are as good as you first assumed them to be. I don't think anyone enjoys being tethered to these masks or machines. For many, myself included, they do provide the help we need to live a healthier life with OSA. Please forgive my initial whining. I am signing off and sending out good vibes to everyone who tried to help me out here. :D