They are watching

[synapse]

I have a DS Pro set in AutoPap trial mode and my doctor made a comment about me needing a auto cpap. He also commented that the pressure was averaging just above the titrated pressure. The DME has submitted my compliance and I also brought my sd card. Other than the doc mentioning the autopap nothing else was said from anyone. lol.

[palerider]

In the past I've changed my settings, went in for a visit at the DME and they checked my data, and they didn't even notice. Same at one doctor's visit. Other times it could become an issue. An unlikely but possible scenario I can think of where changing settings could affect authorization for payment is if the prescribing doctor takes offense and terms you as non compliant with their treatment plan and withdraws authorization (is that even a thing?) or fires you as a patient. I'd be interested in hearing if that exteme situation has ever happened to anyone on here. I remember stories on here of getting fired by a physician, but don't remember anything about it affecting their CPAP treatment.

There are plenty of stories of people not going back to a doctor after the initial rx... compliance for insurance purposes doesn't have anything to do with machine settings, If it did....

The companies wouldn't make bricks.

[chunkyfrog]

IOW, our paranoia actually feeds the fantastic notion that somebody out there actually GIVES A SHIT.

[palerider]

IOW, our paranoia actually feeds the fantastic notion that somebody out there actually GIVES A SHIT.

I give a shit... sometimes I even care

[Stom]

Interesting thought, is the data even subject to HIPPA? what's sent is anonymous, no personal identifiers... until your doctor pulls down
device ID: 278F4944-60E0-6A05-7B12-5967D4548BF6, nobody knows that data belongs to you...

ResMed also allows consumer accounts and access to the data from these prescription-only medical devices. I think it would be a mess to try to manage the data into HIPPA and non-HIPPA depending on whether the account was active.

[chunkyfrog]

IOW, our paranoia actually feeds the fantastic notion that somebody out there actually GIVES A SHIT.

I give a shit... sometimes I even care

I know--it is a curse, isn't it?

[palerider]

IOW, our paranoia actually feeds the fantastic notion that somebody out there actually GIVES A SHIT.

I give a shit... sometimes I even care

I know--it is a curse, isn't it?

truer words, Madam Frog... truer words...

[JayDee]

...The guy at DME pointed out that both machines send info to both the DME and the clinician so if we mess around with the settings they will know...

Today marks the end of my 2nd full week on APAP. I don't think I've used the same settings more than two nights in a row. I've gone from FFM to Pillows and monkeyed with min & max pressures, Ramp, EPR, Humidity & Temp. Might be more, but that's what comes to mind for now. One night, I was not able to use my machine at all (so, no 4hr min that night)...

I haven't heard a peep from anyone. If they do chime in, I believe it would be for nothing more than checking how it's going, if i need anything and cheering me on. Heck, my very first follow-up appt isn't until some time in October.

I just don't think they are all that overly concerned for several reasons:
- I'm not their first XPAP patient
- I haven't contacted them for anything other than to get a copy of the Rx.
- They likely have some other "squeaky-wheel" patients wanting their attention that keep them busy.

But, in spite of knob-fiddling, if they did contact me they would learn that I've got my pressures pretty much dialed in, I've successfully transitioned to a nasal pillow mask and the only thing I'm trying to tweak now is the humidity level. They would also hear that I'm fairly confident I'm on the right track as compared to before APAP, because I'm able to sleep for longer periods, I can remember my dreams again (and they are recurring), I wake up later in the mornings, I feel like I have more energy and my event count has gone from near 40 per hr to mid to low single digits. I may have been "dial-winging", but they shouldn't complain too much about my results.

On the other hand, had I experimented without learning anything from it and made matters worse, I would probably welcome any advice they may have. I don't see them taking the machine back unless I don't use it at all. It's in their best interests to keep that machine in a billable status with me, rather than sitting on a shelf in inventory.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Good Luck with it!
-JD

[JimW159]

The closest parallel I can think of relates to diabetes supplies (in no way does it come close to supporting the premise stated in the OP, though). Some months ago I was in the hospital for a few days following an injury to my leg. During that time my prescription for glucose test strips was refilled - later in my normal summary of medicare payments I found notes that stated that certain portions of payment for the strips were being disallowed because I was in the hospital for a portion of the time covered by the prescription. They did not yank my meter, strips, or lancets - neither did they attach my bank account or bill me personally for the few dollars involved. The pharmacy never communicated about it either. My point is (at least regarding medicare), if it relates to possible real dollars in erroneous payment, they care - if it relates to specific readings I get when using the device or exactly how I use it, they could care less.