960P ASV problems

[sam2jack]

Hello all,
I have a Respironics 960P ASV. It has been waking me up with a low pressure alarm (last night 3 times). Blue Cross Blue Shield purchased the machine for me in 2015 so it won't be 5 years until March. I called my DME and they said it only has a 2 year warranty. An RT is supposed to call me back to discuss repair or replacement. I could use some advice:

What machine to replace with? Still have Centrals so need ASV.

Is the 960P the current ASV or is there a newer model?

Does replacement usually mean with the same brand? Phillips Respironics or can it include Resmed?

Thank you,

[Okie bipap]

Most insurance companies will replace the machine if it is not repairable, regardless of age. The old five year applied to getting a machine even though your current machine was still working. Most companies follow the same guide lines as Medicare which requires a machine to be uneconomical to repair before they will replace it. It takes time to have a machine sent in, evaluated and repaired or replaced. That is why it is highly recommended to have a back up machine available.

[Pugsy]

The most current Respironics ASV is now the DreamStation ASV. Just the newer version of the 960.
The ResMed has a comparable model...the AirCurve 10 ASV.

What kind of insurance do you have? Often they will pay to repair or even replace a machine if it costs more to repair it than its worth even if it hasn't been 5 years yet.
So call up your insurance company and ask them. Don't rely on what the DME says.

This place fixes them..might give them a call to get an estimate if you end up having to foot the bill yourself.
https://acbio.com/

[sam2jack]

Thank you for the quick response. I have Medicare part B and Blue Cross Blue Shield FEP Basic 111. I am trying to contact both Medicare and BCBS but wait times on phone are very busy. Will try again later. I wonder if the DME decides to try to repair if they will lend me a loner. I don't have a backup. Thanks again!

[sam2jack]

Update: I did talk to BCBS who is my secondary insurance. They said they cover repair or replace even if Medicare doesn't. Told me to let the DME help me get my problem solved.

Thanks to Pugsy and Okey Bipap for their advice.

[bwexler]

My 4 year old 960 works just fine.
I saw an opportunity here to purchase a slightly used Resmed Aircurve ASV unit. I like it better than the 960 and now I have a backup system. I also keep at least one spare hose and water chamber and a collection of assorted masks.
I also did a little arithmetic and determined that what I paid out of pocket was probably less than the 5 years of copays for a machine i would never own under the terms of my current insurance.

[sam2jack]

Thanks for the info Bwexler. Good to know you like the Resmed. I may ask for that one. My insurance only required a copay for 12 months and then I own the machine.

[bwexler]

Before Obamacare my Medicare advantage plans were more generous.
I had no copays on my first machine. It was a rental for 10 months then i owned it.
I don't remember the terms on the second machine, but I never paid any copays on it either.
Current machine, one big copay with no help from insurance.