CPAP machine recommendation needed please

Idget · Post by **Idget** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:06 am

I go for my Titration test this saturday. The sleep center stated that the two machines they recommend are Resmed and Resperonics (please excuse any spelling errors). I was told my doctor will not perscribe an auto titration machine. They also stated they recommended the Resmed as number one choice. I would appreciate any recommendation on a machine so I have some ideas to work with when doc writes prescription.

Thanks in advance

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:39 am

Idjet, the best recommendation I can give is get another Dr. to issue your prescription! If your doc won't issue one for an APAP, then you need to go elsewhere. Also, be darn sure to get a full copy of your sleep study! It gives you a very important starting point as to where you are right now in terms of severity of your OSA.

Other than that, I'd recommend working with our hosts here and billmyinsurance and see if they can get you a machine.

Good luck!

Kajun

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:52 am

Both Resmed and Respronics are both good machines. The problem is that they both make bottom end machines which are not good for the Patient. If you can't get an auto at least get one that is fully data capable. The Respronics Pro "M" Series w/ C-Flex (exhalation relief) has moved up a notch in my book because they just made the software easier to get for the patient with the new Encore Viewer. If you go with Resmed get at least the S8 Elite, lowest end that is data capable and has exhalation relief (EPR) (Importment to me and a lot of patients). Most of the data can be read on Resmed's LCD screen but you have to write it down and keep your own record. If you can't get at least these two machines go somewhere else or get your prescription and go to cpap.com. You won't be sorry!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:53 am

If you opt to go w/the local DME, I would insist that the sleep lab doctor script the Resmed S8 Elite. It is fully data capable and in the Advanced Patient menu you can access your Efficacy data on the good size, easy to read, LCD screen (95th percentile pressure, 95th percentile leak, AHI, AI and HI) as well as the Usage Data (total hours the Elite has been used, total number of nights the Elite has been used, total number of nights since the Elite was first used and total hours used that night). Almost as good as having the software and card reader!!

Also insist that you be given the equipment order so that you can shop the local DME suppliers yourself for the best equipment and service at the least cost to you. That script for the equipment is a part of your medical records and due to HIPAA you have a legal right to a copy of ALL your medical records.

Be sure to request a copy of the full summary data report (about 5-6 pages, with graphs) as well as the dictated results report (about 1-2 pages) as they are also a part of your medical records and must be given to you if requested. That full summary data report may well come in very handy if your titration results were a bit off and you need to "tweak" your pressure settings a bit.

If you opt to, and can go, with billmyinsurance.com that generic equipment order is good for an autoPAP and in that case, much as I love my Resmeds, I'd recommend you opt to go for the Respironics M Series w/A-Flex (rather than w/C-Flex) as you can now self-purchase the EncoreViewer software to monitor your therapy.

dbl · Post by **dbl** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 1:44 pm

Ditto on the the desirability of having the full data avaiable to you. With it you can tell if therapy is working and if not change variables such as adjusting or changing you mask.

Also ditto on getting the prescription and trying CPAP.com. I got a RemStar APAP for about the same out-of-pocket as bottom of the line machine through my insurance approved DME.

Good luck!

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:26 pm

I second the get the prescription and copies of sleep studies in hand. None of this "we will fax it to the DME"....

How can your doc possibly know what he should prescribe without the results of your titration?

If I was titrated over 11 or 12 I would seriously consider an APAP, especially if I slept in multiple positions that included my back. The apap can let you sleep at a lower pressure much of the night. There are some here that do better on cpap rather than apap, however the apap can be programmed to run as a cpap.

I would first check your copay and deductable responsibilities directly with your insurance company (not through the DME), and calculate how much your insurance benefit is really worth (if anything). Then you will know if you should see if Bill my insurance might be a good choice, or just buying cash as opposed to a local DME. Sometimes the local DME is the least out of pocket cost to you, othertimes not.

A warning, get the bill my insurance quote first, as they won't deal with you if you accept a machine elsewhere first.

Both Resmed and Respironics are good machines. Exhale relief on Resmed in apap mode is not available if that is a concern. My educated guess is that the DME or doc's office is recommending one over the other not because one is so much better, but more likely there is a benefit to them (especially a DME, and the doc if the doc is associated with the DME) to recommend the brand that they did. Contract with the manufacturer is one possiblity. This benefit is to the doc or dme, not to you.

Read up on both machines. There are some data display differences, and the EPR difference, as well as how the machines each respond to an apena.