Dr. wants me to email machine data

[rem700pss]

I have never used CPAP equipment before, but aparently I have had a severe case of sleep apnea for at least 10 years, without ANY rem sleep as a result of it.

My doctor, who is 200 miles one way, did an overnight in house study and wrote me a bunch of RX slips to cover different models, but he preferred that I buy a unit which had 2 features - A - that I could email him the data from the machine, and B - that I could change the settings after he emails back his recommendations. Given the distance between us, he uses this techique often with other non-medicare customers as the sleep center he operates services all of california. He seems like a caring, knowledgable, internet savvy type of dr.

I also have medicare coverage, who recommended the cpap company in sunnyvale - I had a negative experience with them when they literally slammed down the phone on me when I told them I was going to report back to medicare that they would not fill the doctor's RX (which includes the software and/or cables for each model so that I can give him the data by email).

My MD prefers the resmed s8 vantage w/ humidifier w/ cable & software but listed 3 other models as alternatives. Now the problem seems to be getting some DME house that will bill medicare and also will fill the prescription complete as written. I'm not going to drive 200 miles each way because someone at the cpap company in sunnyvale is too lazy to order the software (I already own the null modem cable to hook up to the machine).

My apnea is severe with 40-60 events per hour (basically only stage 1 sleep) - I have only one in patient study facility and multiple machines that can be used, but does every cpap DME supplier adopt the bad attitude of the cpap company in sunnyvale, ca? If so, does anyone know of a nationwide supplier of equipment? The cpap company says they refuse to sell the software and cables, while resmed says they will sell these items to the cpap company if they want to order them.

I'm just trying to buy what the doctor wants - but for $1200 (most of which is profit considering it's little more than a box, fan, waterbath, and hose) I expect a level of service other than slamming the phone in my ear.

Any good quality DME suppliers that work with medicare would be welcomed - I'm new to this but what I see is a big game so far with companies looking to get rich quick with little or no patient and doctor support. All I can do is complain to medicare about a company's refusal to fill the prescription. Resmed won't sell direct to the patient, and insists that the patient buy from a dme seller.

Rem

[Snoredog]

it all depends on what your sleep study looked like as to which machine would be the best for you.

based upon your situation, I would go with an Autopap. You can buy any package you want for under $800, that includes the machine, heated humidifier everything.

If you want insurance to pay for anything you end up getting screwed, I mean you have to go with a machine someone else dictates that you have. You can use any cpap script and oder the machine on-line and it will be shipped to your door. You just email or fax over a copy of the cpap script.

I suggest you first check out cpap.com, they have some of the best prices and they have package deals. If you are looking for an autopap with reporting ability my picks would be:

-Remstar Auto w/Cflex, EncorePro software
-Puritian Bennett 420e, Silverlining 3.6
-Devilbiss

https://www.cpap.com/advanced-find-cpap ... ting-CPAPS


You can also get an idea what the prices are.

[snoregirl]

I have a couple of things for you to consider.

While emailing data is nice, printed reports in the U.S. mail should be just as good. Also buying an extra card for the machine and just mailing the card back and forth works too.

Most insurance will not pay for software and card reader. ResMed which was your doc's prefered may not even sell you the software anyway unless you buy it out of the country.

Bill my insurance (cpap.com) may work with your insurance for the machine, mask and supplies call them and check. Mail order to your door.

Make sure you can get the software and card reader for whatever machine you are choosing before you purchase.

Remstar machines have software and card readers readily available as does the goodnight. Take a look at the machines on Cpap.com and other internet sites for comparisons.

If you get your machine from a local DME they will most likely withhold one manual. Get your doc to write on a prescription pad that that manual be given to you. You will get the user manual, but they will hold the provider manual (that is the one you want to be able to change settings). But even if you don't get that there are people here who can tell you how to on most machines. Online purchases should get you all the manuals that come with the machine in general.

I am not familiar with medicare copays but for $700 cash or so you can get an auto (remstar or a couple other makers machines) with a heated humidifier. Mask will be a little more. Make sure your insurance benefit is worth using is my point. Don't pay more than $700 for the machine and humidifier out of your pocket or you might as well order online.

[cflame1]

Actually... seeing as you said Medicare... check cpapforseniors.com

[Gryphon]

If you go with the REMStar Auto...

You can get the Auto-PAP - Heated Humidifier - and software W/ Reader for about 880.00

You should be able to run the program on your computer and simply print out the results to a PDF File and e-mail that file to your doctor for his records..

Hope this helps...

Good luck


Gryphon

[snoregirl]

cflame,

Good catch on cpap-for-seniors (my mistake) thanks.

[Slinky]

IF you have secondary insurance that picks up the 20% Medicare doesn't cover, be sure to check w/your secondary insurance what local DMEs they are contracted with or you may end up paying that 20% unnecessarily.