cpap "phones home"

[Wolfhound668]

Hi all,

I'm trying my second round of cpap soon (been diagnosed again and titrated, waiting for prescription).

When I was on cpap a few years ago I bought the card reader and software so I was able to look at my own results (something I learned here and most folks are obviously still doing it). When I started talking to my sleep doc I told him that the first time I did this once I had my cpap I *never* heard back from the sleep doc. She never had me bring my card in to have it checked. New sleep doc said that wouldn't be a problem because every machine he prescribes automatically sends the information to the company I get the machine from (I assume he's talking about the DME) and that they regularly send him the results to look at.

I'm assuming that the cpap will be sending the information via modem or an internet connection (the IT guy in me hopes it would be a secure connection). However, and maybe I'm not looking hard enough, I'm not finding any information on cpaps that phone home. Does anyone have a machine that does this? In this kind of setup is it still possible to read your own results?

Thanks.

[DreamStalker]

There is a long thread about this here.

Personally, I would not use this method cuz I don't trust DMEs handling my data, much less my health. But it is a free country still ... sort'a.

[Wolfhound668]

Ah, a 22 page discussion. I'll have to go through it when I get home from work.

In my case now this time around 'DME' is actually the sleep center through the hospital group where I had the study done and where the doc works. They gave me a choice of six different DMEs and the only other name I recognized was the last company I dealt with and would not go back to.

There is a long thread about this here.

Personally, I would not use this method cuz I don't trust DMEs handling my data, much less my health. But it is a free country still ... sort'a.

[DreamStalker]

Ah, a 22 page discussion. I'll have to go through it when I get home from work.

In my case now this time around 'DME' is actually the sleep center through the hospital group where I had the study done and where the doc works. They gave me a choice of six different DMEs and the only other name I recognized was the last company I dealt with and would not go back to.

All the more reason not to use this DME. The one-stop-shop sleep centers have a conflict of interest. They tend to have the highest potential for squeezing as much $$ out of you and your insurance.

Best of luck with your treatment nonetheless.

[GumbyCT]

Ah, a 22 page discussion. I'll have to go through it when I get home from work.

In my case now this time around 'DME' is actually the sleep center through the hospital group where I had the study done and where the doc works. They gave me a choice of six different DMEs and the only other name I recognized was the last company I dealt with and would not go back to.

All the more reason not to use this DME. The one-stop-shop sleep centers have a conflict of interest. They tend to have the highest potential for squeezing as much $$ out of you and your insurance.

Best of luck with your treatment nonetheless.

I have to agree - one stop shopping is a bad mix for you (anyone except the money makers). How could they even consider putting your health before their profits?

No matter which DME if using the modem for your data - YOU will NOT see that data without requesting it thru the keeper of your data. When using the card reader and software at home YOU have access to your data as many times each day you want. The main benefit of using a modem is for the DME and those who don't care or can't help themselves.

I don't want a modem on MY Machine.

No matter what you decide - get a copy of your script AND sleep study report, so that when things turn sour you will have a way out.

Good Luck

[Goofproof]

Follow the MONEY, THAT'S, what it's all about, my Defib is allowed to phone home every 6 months, the INS company is charged be the Dr the same as the office download, $125. It's not about the treatment, it's about the money. Jim

As far as treatment they are the ones that installed the defective defib leads.

[Made_in_1960]

I'm assuming that the cpap will be sending the information via modem or an internet connection (the IT guy in me hopes it would be a secure connection). However, and maybe I'm not looking hard enough, I'm not finding any information on cpaps that phone home. Does anyone have a machine that does this? In this kind of setup is it still possible to read your own results?

I've been on the hose for exactly one month. My machine has a GSM (cell phone data) transceiver that snaps onto the card reader on the back of my machine. The transceiver sends my compliance data to a company, Sleep Management Systems, that monitors compliance on behalf of my insurance company and the DME. Like a lot of people, my machine was provided on a 10-month "rent to own" arrangement. The R/T at my DME told me that at the end of the 10 month contract, they will have me mail the transceiver back to them and they will no longer monitor me for compliance.

I have been recording my efficacy data each morning including leaks, AHI, HI, and AI from my units LCD screen. I am not currently using a card reader or software for more detailed analysis.

I suppose, if they' must keep tabs on me, the transceiver is a convenient way to do it. Personally, I think it's more for the insurance company's benefit than mine.

[Muse-Inc]

If the modem (transceiver) snaps onto the card slot, then it's conceivable that you could disconnect it, insert a card to get the data, then re-connect the unit. Seems reasonable...but then this is a high-tech gadget and who knows what they might have done with it . Maybe disconnecting it reports you to the xPAP Data Police who despise users viewing their data...what would they do with diabetics who monitor fasting, bedtime, & before & after each snack & meal if a similar system were in place?

[GumbyCT]

I suppose, if they' must keep tabs on me, the transceiver is a convenient way to do it. Personally, I think it's more for the insurance company's benefit than mine.

More the DME who won't have to send anyone to your house to get what is required for Ins. payment.

If the modem (transceiver) snaps onto the card slot, then it's conceivable that you could disconnect it, insert a card to get the data, then re-connect the unit. Seems reasonable...

With Respironics I think the data is recorded once - either the card or another storage device (modem). I doubt you will get duplicate data but you can replace one device with another on the same machine. Likely, at your expense.

The R/T at my DME told me that at the end of the 10 month contract, they will have me mail the transceiver back to them and they will no longer monitor me for compliance.

So now you have any "empty" spot? And they have the modem? Not so sure I like that either. Wonder who paid for that modem?

[DoriC]

If the modem (transceiver) snaps onto the card slot, then it's conceivable that you could disconnect it, insert a card to get the data, then re-connect the unit. Seems reasonable...but then this is a high-tech gadget and who knows what they might have done with it . Maybe disconnecting it reports you to the xPAP Data Police who despise users viewing their data...what would they do with diabetes who monitor fasting, bedtime, & before & after each snack & meal if a similar system were in place?

Muse, you're right! We bought a gently used M Series Auto for backup but we didn't know it came with a telephone modem, so I called cpap.com and was able to order a Smart Card module that came with a new Smart Card, they told me how to snap out the telephone modem and I inserted the SC module into the same slot. Voila! I kept waiting for an alarm to go off and the DME cops banging on my door. Was I proud of myself that day!

[SleepingUgly]

Wolfhound, what machine are you talking about?

With respect to the PR System One Auto... I had the wired modem for a time (there is also a wireless modem, I believe). There were times that I disconnected it from the phone line because I was traveling, and when I came home, I reconnected it and the data over the couple of nights I was gone appeared in my reports from my DME indicating that some data is stored on the machine. At one point I disconnected the modem entirely, and stuck the SD card in the back, and data downloaded onto the card. It's not as if there was nothing to download to the card until new data was collected. SO... that makes me think that yes, you could do both.

The Pros to having a Modem:

• If you don't have software, and your DME is willing to give you downloads (eg, say via email), that would prevent you from having to drive to your DME each time you want data (some DMEs will give you two cards, so you could mail one in, but that would probably delay your receipt of the information).
  Your doctor could see the data too, if that's what you want.

The Cons to having a Modem:

• My understanding is that your settings can be adjusted via modem (this was not an issue for me because no one bothered to look at my data, and I would have noticed if my settings were changed).
  If you want to hide that you are changing your settings, and someone is actually looking at your data, they will see you are changing them.

The Pros to having Software with or without a Modem:

• Too numerous to mention!

The Cons to having Software and no modem:

• If you're sharing your data with your doctor by bringing her printouts from your software, a doctor who is on top of things, and who cares, may have a problem with you using software that is not available to patients.

One thing to keep in mind about the PR System One is that, unfortunately, Daily Details are lost after a week's time. So you have to download your own data, or get a report from your DME on a weekly basis or you will only have the last week's Daily Details. You can get summary statistics over longer periods of time, but most people tend to feel that the Daily Details are important.

As far as the one-stop shopping... I agree that a conflict of interest can be a problem. Would the doctor want to prescribe an expensive Auto-PAP that they get reimbursed the same amount for as a crummy, bottom of the line CPAP? On the other hand, a good doctor who is affiliated with a DME may have good control over the workings of the DME and the kind of service they provide.

[Made_in_1960]

I suppose, if they' must keep tabs on me, the transceiver is a convenient way to do it. Personally, I think it's more for the insurance company's benefit than mine.

More the DME who won't have to send anyone to your house to get what is required for Ins. payment.

If the modem (transceiver) snaps onto the card slot, then it's conceivable that you could disconnect it, insert a card to get the data, then re-connect the unit. Seems reasonable...

With Respironics I think the data is recorded once - either the card or another storage device (modem). I doubt you will get duplicate data but you can replace one device with another on the same machine. Likely, at your expense.

The R/T at my DME told me that at the end of the 10 month contract, they will have me mail the transceiver back to them and they will no longer monitor me for compliance.

So now you have any "empty" spot? And they have the modem? Not so sure I like that either. Wonder who paid for that modem?

I have a data card. It came with my machine. Also, I have a very busy life. the convenience factor works both ways. Ultimately the Ins. Co. pays for the modem. But, I'm sure it will be recycled to the next patient. Cell phone technology is fairly cheap these days. So, over time, it isn't costing them that much.

[Made_in_1960]

As far as the one-stop shopping... I agree that a conflict of interest can be a problem. Would the doctor want to prescribe an expensive Auto-PAP that they get reimbursed the same amount for as a crummy, bottom of the line CPAP? On the other hand, a good doctor who is affiliated with a DME may have good control over the workings of the DME and the kind of service they provide.

This is my situation. My DME is a subsidiary of my Doctor's group medical practice. I think that's why I got a decent machine and avoided a lot of the DME problems that are commonly reported here. The doctors are running the show.