Software to remind me about supplies

[wfcentral]

THIS IS NOT A SALES PITCH - I'm just a programmer who uses a CPAP machine... is frustrated and wonder if others are in the same boat?

I don't have a lot of time, so I'll be brief.

Got my CPAP machine 2 years ago. Company providing machine gave me the breakdown... change this every x days, clean that every x days, replace this every month, change that every 2 weeks, etc, etc.

I'm lazy... let's just get that out in the open. So, I don't write all this stuff down and I don't put it on my calendar with stars by it.

The company calls me OFTEN and tells me it's "time to buy supplies" - I really feel like they are making me buy stuff as frequently as possible to boost their income... not support my health.

Finally, they offer to email me instead of call (every freaking phone in my house, 3x a day when they can't reach me) -= GREAT... that would be so much better than having you stalk me by phone.

No emails come. They drop the ball. I end up calling them for supplies way past my "you should have changed that filter by now" date.

Company A stops selling the mask I use.

Company B in my town sells that mask - I switch.

they get all my info and say they have a "handy dandy system" that will "email me when I need supplies" - doesn't work. No emails.

So - I'm a software developer...

I have a notion to just whip up a database / mobile app for myself (and all other users with this plight) so you can punch in your cpap machine, what supplies you need, how often... and it will email you AND your supplier when it's time to get those items. It can also email you to remind you that it's time to change that filter, etc.

Would anyone else see a use for this?

[Sheffey]

No.

Most people already have an electronic calendar which works fine for recurring appointments.

[49er]

No.

Most people already have an electronic calendar which works fine for recurring appointments.

Agree. Outlook works fine for me!

[LSAT]

Most supplies should be replaced when they wear out...not when the calendar/DME says they should.

[oak]

my resmed S9 has a feature where you can put in when you want to be reminded to get new supplies. a notice comes up on the screen when you are due for something.

[DoriC]

I use the S9 and it has a Reminder setting for filters, masks,etc. I don't know if the PR has it.

[khauser]

There's a few of us developers with CPAP. One wonders how we managed to stay awake while coding before treatment!

Anyway, I agree with the sentiment expressed ... it probably wouldn't be all that useful. You are correct, though, that your DME is maximizing sales. They are using the replacement schedule dictated either by your insurance or Medicare (which are typically the same) and suggesting you replace as often as possible.

Disposable filters, if you use them, probably should be replaced monthly (not that I do). The foam filter lasts longer, at least 6 months. Whether or not to replace that is more about its condition. (The foam filter is washable, btw)

Most insurance plans will replace a mask every 3-6 months, but do you NEED to? Once you have a mask you like, typically you only need the silicone parts replaced with any frequency. I use the Tap-Pap ... so I like to get new nasal pieces every month or so. But the rest of it is good to go for quite some time. In fact, I only replaced it because they came out with a newer style that fits better. Otherwise I'd keep it until it fails or acquires an unacceptable taste/smell despite cleaning.

[Pugsy]

I use the S9 and it has a Reminder setting for filters, masks,etc. I don't know if the PR has it.

Yes, there is a reminder menu option available for supplies on the PR S1 machines. I turned it off.

[chunkyfrog]

I turned off the option on my Autoset as well.
I know I'm way over "schedule" on a lot of things, but if it's not broken, why fix it?

[caffeinatedcfo]

i use my outlook calendar for everything

[DoriC]

I use the S9 and it has a Reminder setting for filters, masks,etc. I don't know if the PR has it.

Yes, there is a reminder menu option available for supplies on the PR S1 machines. I turned it off.

The only reminder I set is the "change filter monthly". I tried to remember to do it the first of the month but I always forgot so it's nice to have this reminder pop up. Mike's mask starts leaking about the 4th or 5th month so that tells me to order a new one, I don't bother about the other stuff, I'm well supplied.

[Goofproof]

i use my outlook calendar for everything

That works fine, I don't need anything for parts Lincare is agressive, but I use it for Dr Appts and lab tests. I had a stand alone program Calander, but now Outlook has it included. Problem now I use a android tablet, and don't visit the main computer daily. Jim

[Drowsy Dancer]

It's insane to have a DME send you a replacement filter in a big box.

I bought a filters in bulk without insurance for less than my copay for a single filter. I change out the disposable filter on the 15th and the last day of the month.

I wash my foam filter every Sunday and use a second one while the first one is drying. Again, I bought a pack of five for less than my copay with the DME.

Masks? Meh, I replace 'em when I need to.

It isn't that hard.

[avi123]

New Medicare rules made it "easy" for me to receive ALL of my supply on time AUTOMATICALLY from this nationwide DME:

http://www.nationwidemedical.com/

I gave them the hardware and serial numbers of my equipment (including my mask), my Medicare Supplementary Insurance #, and I also sign my name thru this, whenever I receive or place an order:

https://www.docusign.net/Member/PowerFo ... 0fb916efc2


Dear Valued Patient,

Welcome to Nationwide Medical, your supplier for CPAP therapy! Medicare requires us to have certain documents signed by the patient before they will allow us to dispense any equipment and we would appreciate if you could virtually sign your documents. We have partnered with DocuSign, the leader in electronic signatures, who helped us create a system that allows our patients to sign any outstanding documents through the internet. Please click on the link below that will direct you to DocuSign’s user interface. Once there, please follow the steps to sign the necessary documents. After the documents are signed, DocuSign will send Nationwide Medical and yourself a copy of the document for your records.

[Wulfman...]

I don't need "reminders". I've never used a brick & mortar DME or relied on them for supplies. I've purchased ALL of my own supplies from online suppliers and a few private individuals on the forum......out-of-pocket (not sucking money out of the insurance system) and in multiple quantities (orders over $100 to get free shipping from online suppliers).
I had a fairly large deductible (which I never met) and a couple hundred dollars out-of-pocket each year would buy alot of "stuff" and was much cheaper.
Now that I'm on Medicare, I have no plans of relying on it for any of my CPAP supplies. I probably have enough of everything stocked up to use for the rest of my life.

Years ago, I created a "text" file on my computer and listed all of my CPAP related supplies in it by category with the description and number of each item I have.
With a text file, it's easy to copy and paste and make simple changes to the numbers (with Wordpad or Notepad).
I could have written a program or used a spreadsheet to do it, too, but some things are just "overkill". I prefer the KISS method.


Den

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