advice on choosing new SV machine for centrals

[kolchak]

Hi,
Ive used a respironics auto SV for 4.5 years and the circuit board recently fried. I'm now waiting to meet with DME to choose a new machine (and hopefully have it covered by insurance BCBS). My machine was one of the1st SV models for central apnea and i understand things have changed a lot since then.

Would anyone recommmend a specific SV or do all current offerings have similar performace/features?
I use pillow masks and have relatively low pressure settings, if that matters.

Any advice about getting BCBS to cover a new machine in under 5 years? My sleep doc thought they would but dme was not sure.

Thank you!

[JohnBFisher]

... Ive used a respironics auto SV for 4.5 years and the circuit board recently fried. I'm now waiting to meet with DME to choose a new machine (and hopefully have it covered by insurance BCBS). My machine was one of the1st SV models for central apnea and i understand things have changed a lot since then. ...

Since you have a Respironics unit, you will probably want their third generation unit: PR System One AutoSV Advanced .. See:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/PR-Sys ... anced.html

... Would anyone recommmend a specific SV or do all current offerings have similar performace/features?
I use pillow masks and have relatively low pressure settings, if that matters. ...

The unit above will handle all that yours would, plus it includes a range for IPAP and the SD card to record your sleep data. It can handle nasal pillows. And it is quite a bit quieter.

... Any advice about getting BCBS to cover a new machine in under 5 years? My sleep doc thought they would but dme was not sure. ...

I would think that they would cover the unit .. especially if the unit died due to a malfunction after 4.5 years of use. I sure hope so!! If they want to wait until the 5 year mark, I can set you up with a backup ASV unit until then.

[kolchak]

Thanks a bunch John.......that 3rd generstion machine looks awesome and quiter is always good.

[JohnBFisher]

By the way, when you get your ASV unit, look at Pugsy's list of PR S1 software options. I use EncoreBasic with my PR S1 ASV unit. For some reason SleepyHead has problems with the data from my unit. See her "Signature" information at:

memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=40932

As in all things, being able to keep track of your therapy numbers can help you figure out what's going on if you are not feeling as rested as normal.

[kolchak]

Thanks for the additonal advice. Can i use my current software or card reader?

[Pugsy]

Thanks for the additonal advice. Can i use my current software or card reader?

The new machines use a SD card to store data so the DT3500 Infineer card reader is not needed.
The minimum Encore version would be Encore Pro 2.5 for a new ASV machine.
EncoreBasic would be the way to go though because it will work with the new ASV machines and isn't the bloated hog that Pro is.

With the SD card...if your computer has a slot for a SD card then you need nothing else. If it doesn't have a SD card slot then you need an adapter/card reader but any generic one will do. Doesn't have to be fancy and costs about $12 or so.
One end to plug into USB port on your computer and the other end to slide the SD card in.

[JohnBFisher]

... if your computer has a slot for a SD card then you need nothing else. If it doesn't have a SD card slot then you need an adapter/card reader but any generic one will do. Doesn't have to be fancy and costs about $12 or so. One end to plug into USB port on your computer and the other end to slide the SD card in. ...

Even if the computer has an SD card reader, it might not be able to read the SD card from the PR S1 and/or S9 units. Those cards tend to be SDHC cards. They tend to be 4GB or higher. The SD card specification only goes to 2GB in size. Some older built in card readers do not understand SDHC cards. Cards that exceed 2GB in size are SDHC type cards. There are now some cards above 32GB. Those adhere to the SDXC specification, So older card readers may not be able to read the current SDHC cards in the xPAP units. That's my case.

But as Pugsy notes, I just use an old cheapo card reader that I plug into a USB port and place the SDHC card in it. No big deal.

[kolchak]

Great, hoping to get new machine this week. Then I'll spend some time with the search feature.
TY