How Many Want SmartCard, Reader & Software

[rhowald]

Hello all,

After reading some of the recent hullabaloo around the software for the Respironics machines being no longer available I was wondering the following...

How many people would purchase a copy of the software with the analytics portion only (i.e. no adjustments possible).

Don't know if it will make any difference, but I think this is a good representative sample of the demand for this software. Maybe manufacturers like to look in on these forums.

Robert

P.S. I would think that a company that came up with an excellent analysis package for their machines, could not only charge for that information, but could also drive customers to their machines over competitors based solely on the quality and useability of this software.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics

[Slinky]

I voted Yes. BUT, with the Resmed fully data capable machines I wouldn't really need it because the bulk of the info is available via the good size, easy to read, LED screen w/a SIMPLE button combination. No need to unplug, plug in plus simultaneous button pushing.

I did buy the Resmed AutoScan 5.7 software and reader cable and have never regretted it - BUT - I wouldn't be broken hearted if it hadn't been available given what I can access via the Resmed LED screen. Why these darn sleep doctors don't script access to the Resmed Advanced Patient menu for their patients is beyond me! Resmed has Respironics beat all to smithereens in this one feature.

[jennmary]

I was never even told I could access that menu on my resmed. It wasn't until you posted the how to on another thread that I tried it. Its great! Although I didn't understand one part of it. My pressure is supposed to be at 14. But on the press part of the menu it says 12.5. Is this because it is averaging including the ramp and/or the exhalation relief?

[robbieh]

I ordered a card reader and the software. The reader came yesterday and the software gets here tomorrow. I got the reader for less than half the price that was offered on the site I purchased the software from. It still cost over $200. My health and my feeling of control over my own health was worth it. I don't get much info from either my sleep doc or my DME so if I want to get the best out of my therapy, I need to know as much as I can find out and take care of myself.

[Slinky]

Bump. This is too interesting a question to let it slip into oblivion just yet.

Hopefully, some xPAP manufacturers are peeking in and reading it!!!

(Well, I can dream and HOPE, can't I? Maybe Johnny will use this to bolster his input to Respironics - and other manufacturer reps)

[oceanpearl]

It's time for a SUPER GEEK to step up to the plate!!

[dieselgal]

For a reasonable price I would buy the software because it would be nice to know if your therapy is having the desired effect. Sometimes how we feel doesn't tell us right away and we like facts.
I also think tht a lot of us just like gadgets.

[seamonkey21]

perfectly stated. well put.

My health and my feeling of control over my own health was worth it. I don't get much info from either my sleep doc or my DME so if I want to get the best out of my therapy, I need to know as much as I can find out and take care of myself.

[gasp]

I want the software.

Respironics wants users to take their card (cost of time/gas) to a DME or physician (many aren't insured or travel extensively) instead of being able to manage their own care.

Diabetics have been managing their own care for years by taking their own blood sample, interpreting the results, and eating accordingly. The respiratory industry will need to catch up if they want patients to have the same record of increased health those with diabetes have enjoyed.

[OwlCreekObserver]

My primary care doc schedules me for a "check in" every six months. I don't have any major problems, but he just wants to be sure that all of my parts are more or less operating as they're designed to do.

My sleep doc, on the other hand, saw me twice -- once pre-test and once immediately after. During the past year my DME has asked for my smartcard twice, which I'm sure had more to do with verifying compliance than anything else. Now that I officially own my machine, I don't expect to hear from them again unless they want to sell me accessories like filters and hoses.

The comparison of apnea patients to diabetics seems very appropriate, in my opinion. What sort of medical professional would deny a diabetic the right to read his/her own daily test results? But even though sleep apnea is potentially fatal, apnea patients are not to be allowed to review their own status? What utter nonsense!

OCO

[Coastal_ZZs]

I VOTE YES (I entered in the poll at the top).

My DME doesn't have a card reader and they have been surprised at my request to do self monitoring. They act as if I am the only person on the planet who wants to do this (this forum convinces me otherwise). They said maybe I could mail the card to another office for download. I said I don't think so!

I am UPSET that I have just begun treatment and this software is hard to find. I will have apnea for the rest of my life, so what is wrong with getting 10 years down the line and look at 10 years of data and say "wow, look where I have come from!" or " wow, I need to change something".

This software works w/ C-flex and A-flex?? I have a bottom of the line unit right now and am working on upgrading.

I have been told that insurance will not pay for an automated machine - is this true??

[gasp]

This software works w/ C-flex and A-flex?? I have a bottom of the line unit right now and am working on upgrading.

The A-flex uses Respironics software version 1.8 and I am told it will not work with the older version 1.6. I was also told that v.1.8 will only be sold to DMEs, physicians, etc and not to the public.

I have been told that insurance will not pay for an automated machine - is this true??

I believe that if your doctor prescribes an auto machine, then if your insurance covers auto machines, you should be able to get one.

I qualified for an A-flex auto machine because I have bronchial asthma and needed the extra exhalation relief this machine provides.

[Coastal_ZZs]

gasp,

Thanks for the reply! Is v1.6 software still available?

I am checking w/ my doctor to see if I need the machine upgrade and if it will be beneficial.

My pressure is set at 15 so I think I would benefit from some exhalation relief, whether throught the C or A-flex.

let me also add that I am willing to pay out of pocket a max of $250.00 for a card, reader and software. And I think that is REAL high for such stuff. Simple data collection and software .... $600.00 ... give me a BREAK!

It is a real bummer that this fancy new computer I have has ALL these holes-n-slots-n-stuff to stick any kind of memory card and I will have to purchase a card reader for ANOTHER type of card.

[Slinky]

AutoPAPs are billed at the same HCPCS code as a straight CPAP. For billing purposes then an autoPAP is "just" a CPAP (there is a separate billing code for bi-levels/Bi-PAPs).

What this means is that insurance companies pay one set amount for any machine under that billing code. And what "this" means is that the local DME supplier gets paid the same for a bare bones, compliance data only CPAP as they do for a fully data capable CPAP or even autoPAP. THUS they have a larger profit margin by providing you w/a bare bones, compliance data only CPAP than they do if they provide you w/an autoPAP.

Some local DMEs will choke on the smaller profit margin and provide you w/a fully data capable CPAP or even an autoPAP (tho its harder to get them to kick loose w/an auto). Others are too d*amn cheap, tight, uncaring, insenstive, poor qualitly DME suppliers and will ONLY provide a fully data capable CPAP or an autoPAP if YOU are willing to pay the difference out of pocket and will LIE thru their teeth and insist on telling you your insurance will not pay for a fully data capable CPAP or an autoPAP.

These local DME suppliers and the insurance companies negotiate a set price for each HCPCS code. That is why you often are limited in coverage to certain local DME suppliers in your area and will get reduced or no coverage if you go to a local DME supplier that has not contracted w/your insurance company.

[RosemaryB]

I can't imagine doing this without the software. Someone on this forum said it would be like driving without a speedometer, guessing at your speed. I'd add to that: if you driving in a place with a lot of speed traps.

Without the software I would not have known what pressure I should be at and I'd still have mild OSA instead of moderate. I'd have leaks and not know it. Right now my leaks are often nonexistent.

My titration study was worthless. A sleep lab tech looked at my study and asked "why did the tech keep you at 4 all night and then bump you up to 5 at the end, was she sleeping or playing computer games?" My best pressure looks to be around 7.5-8.5.

Last night I got an AHI of 1.8 (WOOO HOOO!!!). Without the software, this would not have been possible.

How to do this without software, I don't know. My doctor supports the use of this software, by the way. If the cpap companies would educate the doctors this would help.