When ordering my machine...

[MichelleFL]

Sorry another newbie question.. Everyone has given me great advice on what my prescription should say so that I get what I want and what settings I want it to have.. My choice for a machine is the ResMed S8 AutoSet II with integrated humidifier, if my insurance will let me have it. My question is if they do a rental, which is probably how this will go as I have no out of pocket money to pay the 25% my insurance has my deductible as, will they try and give me a used machine?? Or is it set up that everyone get's a brand new machine? At the end of 10 months my insurance will buy it for me and I really don't want a used one. I have read of all the horror stories of taking in your machine or the card and them getting the machine messed up or the wrong card is given back. I don't want a problem from the start with a used one.

[jimbassett]

I personally have never heard of anyone getting a used machine. You can check the blower hours when you pick it up. Naturally it will have a few hours on it due to mfg. check out, but this doesn't mean its used. You made a good choice in that machine. I wish you well in your therapy. jim

[Guest]

....and what settings I want it to have.

So there is no misunderstanding the doc writes your pressures on the script. Doc may also specify auto and/or which brand but not always. Some DME's will only deal with certain brands, so make sure before hand.

[Craig-Tx]

I too haven't heard of a rent-to-own being a used machine. If they try to give you one, I would INSIST on a new machine. It is after all a medical device. There is no way to sanitize a CPAP. (Although, yes I know there really is no way anything bad should be able to get into a CPAP, but it makes a great argument.)

But chances are, you will get a new one.

-craig

[jnk]

I think that sometimes the deal insurance makes with the DME is that a machine be rented first. Once you have proven you are compliant in the use of the machine for three months or so (in other words, that you haven't given up on therapy, as sadly many do), then the machine will be purchased. At least I think that's how it works for some.

Do your math very carefully. Some here have found that once they added up their part of the rental cost and their part of the purchase price, that it would have been cheaper just to buy the machine for themselves outright from CPAP.com, who will pricematch.

Great machine you've mentioned. But the most important thing is that you get a fully-data-capable machine, whatever brand you end up with.

[MichelleFL]

Thank you all.. JNK unfortunately we are not in the position right now to buy one outright much as I would love to do so.. And your right Blue Cross Blue Shield wants to make sure I am compliant before they will purchase it. Sounds like after the 10 months I may have spent enough to buy a new one myself.. But that is how my life goes everytime. I just want what is the best for me and what's honest. Not some provider who monkey's around with me, they will loose my business real fast.. Just a case in point the providers that Blue Cross and Blue Shield provided me over the phone came up with rental quotes of over 2 hundred dollars a month for the mask and machine! I called my sleep study manager and told her my situation and she said that does not sound right and questioned the one they have and comes out it will only be $35.00 a month for both mask and machine. So who is rippin off who here? I will be most careful before I sign any contract.