Remstar Pro

jabberwock · Post by **jabberwock** » Wed May 16, 2007 4:54 pm

I currently have the Remstar Plus CPAP which was provided by my DME in 2003 when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Now that I am learning so much more here about how it is possible to monitor our treatment at home with the right equipment, I will likely get a Remstar Pro in 18 months when it is time (for my insurance to pay) for a new machine.

My concern is, if they take the Encore Pro software off the market altogether, I will still not be able to monitor my own treatment.

Should I go ahead and buy what I need and is available now, in anticipation of being able to use it when I get the Remstar Pro?

If so, can you tell me what I need to buy? Do I need both the Encore Pro 1.6 and the card reader? I think the machine comes with the smart card, is that right? Is there anything else I would need to buy now?

TIA for any advice.

Bonnie

Jaggles · Post by **Jaggles** » Wed May 16, 2007 5:04 pm

You do need a card reader and its proprietary. I would think they would still have 1.6 available when you are ready and probably 1.x. I would be inclined to wait were it me. Worse comes to worse, I bet you can get a pirated copy from a friend.

Oh, hi jab.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed May 16, 2007 5:39 pm

It's your health ... if you wish to place it on hold while your insurance gets around to it ... that is your decision.

I doubt EncorePro will be available a year from now but I have been known to be wrong.

BTW - check with your insurance ... most only require that you to rent for 1 to 3 months before they are willing to purchase a machine for you. Your DME may have just told you that you need to rent for the maximum amount of time that your insurance will pay in order to milk the insurance for as much as they can. Renting for 18 months ... you may as well buy the top of the line out-of-pocket and end up paying less than renting for 18 months. [Oops ... I thought you were going to rent for 18 months] ... still I would go ahead and get the EncorePro now unless you think you may be going with a P&B machine which uses the Silverlining software.

jabberwock · Post by **jabberwock** » Wed May 16, 2007 6:05 pm

I guess I wasn't clear DreamStalker. My insurance will pay for a full set-up, i.e. one machine, one mask, every five years only. Nothing inbetween; zip, nada.

I got my first set-up in December 2003, which means my insurance will pay absolutely nothing until December 2008. The only way I can get another machine now is to pay for it fully out of pocket (mine ) So, I am hoping that once I settle on a mask, I will be able to make do without all the data until 2008 when I can get a whole new setup. I will be able to have another sleep study done this December, which should tell me how well it's working at that time.

If I decide to wait until December 2008 when my insurance will pay for a new machine, my concern is that there will be nothing available at that time which will give me the data regarding AHI, leaks, snores, etc. That is why I had thought of buying the card reader and software now while it is still available.

Bonnie

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed May 16, 2007 7:56 pm

To get any useful data you will need, the machine, software and reader. It might be a good investment, to get it online instead of waiting, you've not had first hand knowledge of your treatment. The question is, how bad do you want it. Do you feel your treatment is working for you? Jim

jabberwock · Post by **jabberwock** » Wed May 16, 2007 8:28 pm

Thanks Jim. I really don't know if it's working yet. I have only been on it three weeks and I'm still playing around with masks trying to get one that I'm comfortable with. A lot of my nights are still spent waking up with leaks, readjusting straps, mask, hose, etc.

I guess I should give it some time to see if I think it's working before spending a pile of cash on something I might not really need.

Good point.

Bonnie

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed May 16, 2007 8:39 pm

I'm the last one to be telling someone they don't need the softwares input on how they are doing. Without it treatment would not be near as good and much more of a pain to deal with. If I was going to get it, I would go the extra mile, and get APAP, just to see if I could use less pressure at times, that helps to cut down on leaks. Jim

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