question my new M series APAP

Ren · Post by **Ren** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:18 pm

Well, hooray, I got the sleep doc to prescribe the REMStar M Series APAP w/ A-Flex! I am supposed to mail the card back in 2 weeks for data eval. I want to get software and a reader. Question is, does a card come with card reader? Or is it purchased separately? DME was clear that upon return of the card I would not get another one. Thanks!

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:33 pm

Normally they are bought seperate. Cpap.com does have a bundle at a discounted price. https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle.php?BundleID=64.

Did you mean that they won't send your card back. If that is the case I would not send it to them. Darn that thing is $12 to replace. Can't cost that much to put it in an envelope and send it back. Get the program and print the report and send it to them and keep the card.

No the card does not come with the reader it is supplied with the machine and can be bought seperately.

Jerry

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:39 pm

A card doesn't come with the software or the card reader. The Smart Card is purchases separately.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle.php?BundleID=64
If you click the Encore Viewer software link on that page, the product description states:
*This package does not include a Smart Card.

If you click the link to the card reader on that page, the product description says:
This product does not include software nor the smart card, only the card reader.

Ren wrote:DME was clear that upon return of the card I would not get another one.

The DME was saying you'd never get that card (or any card) to put back in the machine to continue recording data? If so, I think that is a poor policy on the part of the DME.

You can buy an additional card on your own, though...and thumb your nose at that DME.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -card.html

From the description on that page:
In House Comments
Smart cards are included with the Respironics recording machines we sell. A smart card is not included with the smart card reader. This is a replacement or additional card.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:08 pm

When I bought my Remstar M Auto w/ a-flex in March, 2008 it came with a smart card already pre-installed in it and the same goes for my Remstar Auto with c-flex (classic tank)...

I bought my M Series auto with a-flex at http://www.directhomemedical.com and yes, it did come with the smart card, I just checked it out and my Remstar Auto with c-flex, I purchased from my DME and it also came with the free/included card, I remember taking the card to him to download and then he gave it right back to me!

Sounds to me like you might be getting ripped off, or is it that I just made out,

Whatever the case, like Restedgal and 6PtStar said, they cost around $12.00 & S&H, I would definately get the software and card reader first (even if it takes 3 weeks to get it and get it installed), I would download the data and then MAIL it to the DME!

SleepyNoMore

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:52 pm

my AFLEX came with a SmartCard, in fact all the Remstars I have ever purchased came with the card.

When I purchased EncorePro software, it also came with a SmarCard.

I would never mail my SmartCard to a DME or doctor, you would probably never get it back and if they zapped it, it is your dime on getting it replaced.

crossfit · Post by **crossfit** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 12:14 am

My machine came with one too and I just bought it yesterday so that is how they are currently packaged. Its yours. Not theirs. Why do they want it, did they tell you? I could see the doc wanting to check the data on it but not the DME. And if the doctor wants it, they should send it back. But I would take it in then, or better yet, get the software and card reader and send them the report instead.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:46 am

Ren wrote:Well, hooray, I got the sleep doc to prescribe the REMStar M Series APAP w/ A-Flex! I am supposed to mail the card back in 2 weeks for data eval. I want to get software and a reader. Question is, does a card come with card reader? Or is it purchased separately? DME was clear that upon return of the card I would not get another one. Thanks!

I'm a little confused about that part. You didn't say "...upon sending the card to the DME...", or "....we won't return the card....".

In any case, I would get the software and card reader FIRST and then you could print out your own reports and either mail, e-mail, fax or deliver it to them when they want it. Handing over one's card to one of those entities is not a good idea in my opinion.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 7:12 am

You guys are missing the point of the SmartCard. The card is not only used by the DME or physician to monitor a patient's therapy - it also is used to make any twaeks and/or pressure changes. The card, once sent back to the patient and inserted into the machine (as SOME of you know yourselves...) will automatically re-program the machine with the new settings.

If a DME has told you that it won't return the card, then this is theft! The card is YOUR property. Tell the DME that you want your card back immediately. The other option is to get EncoreViewer, print your reports and send them to the DME or email them.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:00 am

Anonymous wrote:You guys are missing the point of the SmartCard. The card is not only used by the DME or physician to monitor a patient's therapy - it also is used to make any twaeks and/or pressure changes. The card, once sent back to the patient and inserted into the machine (as SOME of you know yourselves...) will automatically re-program the machine with the new settings.

If a DME has told you that it won't return the card, then this is theft! The card is YOUR property. Tell the DME that you want your card back immediately. The other option is to get EncoreViewer, print your reports and send them to the DME or email them.

The "patient monitoring" (by the "medical professionals") is somewhat iffy from what I've read......and that's assuming that the patient was given a data-capable machine to begin with....which seems to be few and far between.

I think most DMEs download compliance information only for insurance billing purposes. And, most doctors don't seem to be concerned with how a patient's therapy is working.......why would they be?......the sleep study told them what pressure is correct, so why would THAT change?..... (he said with tongue-in-cheek)

Is the REMstar Plus model capable of being programmed from the smart card? I actually don't know, but presume it would be logical......but why would you re-program a non-data-capable machine (by that method) that doesn't give you any data other then compliance?

But, as far as your last paragraph.......as Frank Bartles of the old Bartles & Jaymes TV commercials used to say......."Thank you for your support."

Den

crossfit · Post by **crossfit** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 1:24 pm

I didn't realize they could change pressure settings through the card. However, that wasn't why they wanted it anyway if they weren't going to send it back.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:12 pm

Congrats on the best machine in the world (I'm prejudiced, I know, I know)

I agree with others here that you need to get software and reader and send them reports. If you need your machine settings changed, then you can either change them yourself, or take the machine in to your sleep therapist and make certain you understand and like the changes.

If you decide to send them your card, then make certain you have another one so you have a card recording data while one is in transit.

danw61 · Post by **danw61** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:53 pm

I agree, the card is yours. If they won't give it back, then I wouldn't send it to them.

Ren · Post by **Ren** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:58 pm

Thanks for the replies. The sleep doc ordered a data download in 2 weeks, the DME handles that by having me mail back the card. They don't return the card unless the sleep doc orders another download.

I'll try talking to the sleep center about whether they want to specify I need continued use of a card for future downloads. If not, I feel like $12 to buy my own card, and of course a reader and Encore Viewer, is worth it to avoid any power struggles. Since my insurance is paying for the machine, I'm not sure I want to fight with the DME over who owns the $12 card. I have won the war to get the machine, and may let the battle on the card go.

The sleep doc definitely wants as much info as possible, as my EDS has not improved, and he wants to figure out why.

Thanks again!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:06 pm

Ren wrote:Thanks for the replies. The sleep doc ordered a data download in 2 weeks, the DME handles that by having me mail back the card. They don't return the card unless the sleep doc orders another download.

I'll try talking to the sleep center about whether they want to specify I need continued use of a card for future downloads. If not, I feel like $12 to buy my own card, and of course a reader and Encore Viewer, is worth it to avoid any power struggles. Since my insurance is paying for the machine, I'm not sure I want to fight with the DME over who owns the $12 card. I have won the war to get the machine, and may let the battle on the card go.

The sleep doc definitely wants as much info as possible, as my EDS has not improved, and he wants to figure out why.

Thanks again!

If your Auto is set up with a pressure range of 4 - 20 cm.......THAT would be "why". Your minimum pressure would be too low and you would be ALMOST UNTREATED. The pressure will almost never get to where it needs to be in time to treat your apneas.

Den

Ren · Post by **Ren** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:29 pm

Wulman,

My sleep study put me at pressure of 7. I admitted to the sleep doc that I had change my pressure up to 10, and back down, on the Plus model, but still with little noticeable result. He agreed to the APAP, with a 7-10 range. Just had my first night on it, to no effect I can feel.

I don't have Viewer yet, but LCD screen showed average pressure of 8, and AHI 1.5. Leak rate was around 26 I think. As the doc put it, from looking at the test results, I should be feeling noticeable better. He showed me where I was on my back, and where my apneas were, and the corresponding oxygen levels, untreated and on the second night, and there is a clear difference in the data. So, he worked with me on agreeing to the APAP, and says the next step is some kind of daytime test.

Thanks.

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question my new M series APAP

question my new M series APAP

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