Went to pickup my S9 AutoSet, but . . .

[TANSTAF1]

Two weeks ago I went to Brighton, MA Sleep Health Center to see about getting a new APAP as my old one died. The sleep doctor agreed on my getting an S9 AutoSet and they said they had one but the staff said it would take two weeks to check out my insurance (Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield) and to book a fitting appointment.

This past Friday their billing department called as they were finally getting around to checking out my insurance and found that the staff had forgotten to get sufficient info to get Premera BC/BS coverage confirmation. I asked if I was all set for an S9 AutoSet and they said "yes.".

So I went today and no S9 auto. They no longer dispense them since they say there were too many problems - bad error codes. They only supply Respironics. They thought their Cumberland RI location might have one, but instead of making a low cost phone call to find out, they said someone was going there tomorrow and would check and if so, they would confirm, but instead of bringing it back, would have it shipped and said they could make an appointment for next week even though I told them I needed a replacement one as soon as possible.

But I had a plan B. I got a dispense as written prescription from my PCP, found my 6 year old sleep study (!!!!!), had called ResMed for contact info for other local DMEs, and checked which ones werr in network.

So I called another DME, provided all my info and will be getting my S9 AutoSet on this Thursday.

So are there problems with S9 AutoSets? or is this just another story so they don't have to dispense them?

[hades161]

I got mine 4 months ago, only issue I had so far was I pulled it off my night stand as I wasn't use to the shorter heated hose and got a blast of water through my Swift FX nasal pillows. I quickly turned it off and cleaned it up and let dry it did give me a humidifier error before i unplugged it though, go figure. . That happened the first week I got it, after the clean up and drying it out I plugged it back in and its been just fine.

[chunkyfrog]

No problems I know of; but this is a common lie the DME's use because they only carry ONE brand of machine--($$$$).
Some may not carry a brand for reasons having NOTHING to do with the quality and reliability of the machine.
This is SOP.

[Pugsy]

So are there problems with S9 AutoSets? or is this just another story so they don't have to dispense them?

Just another story so they don't have to stock them. If they are pushing Respironics mashine now they got a better price contract with them. Simple as that.
No more problems with ResMed than any other machines. All brands have a few lemons.
Back when I was wanting Respironics machine I was flat out told that they would refuse to order me one because "they had had a lot of trouble with them"...bull hocky.
I fired them and found what I wanted on craigslist. Then found another DME for mask supplies.

[sleepnationtv]

When the first model of the S9 came it there were a few issues mainly with the climateline tubing and the humidifier. About a month or two ago they came out with an updated model and there have been way less problems and they added features like smartstart with full face masks.

To tell if you have an older or newer model unplug the machine and plug it back in if the startup screen says S9 Series in a small lettering you got an older model. If it comes up with a big ResMed logo than you have a newer model which seem to have less problems. But the machines have two year warranties so if you have an issue have your supplier get it replaced.

Good Luck,

Dane

[archangle]

It could be a perfectly honest opinion. Another DME might honestly believe exactly the opposite opinion.

Lying for profit is also entirely possible.

The discussion here makes me think Respironics and ResMed are roughly equal in terms of quality problems.

[idamtnboy]

So I went today and no S9 auto. They no longer dispense them since they say there were too many problems - bad error codes.

There may be a slight modicum of truth in what they say, but only slight! I got my first S9 Autoset in Aug 2010. It threw up error codes every once in awhile, but they always cleared out by unplugging the machine for a few seconds. My second Autoset, which I got in June 2011, hasn't thrown up any errors at all as far as I recall. My first one died because I packed it in the carry case with water in the humidifier tank and water got into the blower.

[Hopefullymiserable2]

Very new to this and have been very distressed by similar antics. First machine was Resmed auto. DME said they would call me to exchange it with a brand new one in a week. I was pleasantly surprised that I got along with the machine quickly. Then the NEW machine arrived. Totally different brand with few of the same features,rain out, loud, miserable POS. I managed about 5 hours on that one. They did order yet another RESMED for me. This one is EPR and much for comfortable. REALLY struggling with less sleep than ever in the last two weeks. Dying on the vine at work. Finding it really hard to focus, complete intelligent sentences, very forgetful. It's just not pretty. Will I get used to cold air stinging my lungs ? I don't know enough to know what it is that I don't know. I am a side sleep with nasal pillows and I fuss with it constantly to keep the hissing air sounds down. Is this a poor fit ? I am fortunate to be able to buy what will make this better. I have a lot of non respiratory disturbances apparently. Doc and I have just begun to work on that.
AND I am up at 1:33 am listening to the werewolves next door bark. Where is superman when you need him ??

[cflame1]

miserable... did you get the S9? If so did you get the climateline?

[msla]

Mine gave me an error code. I took it to the DME and it was replaced with a new one with the hose and reader card too. They returned the original to ResMed. No problems with the 2nd one.

[StevenXXXX]

If it comes up with a big ResMed logo than you have a newer model which seem to have less problems.

Dane

My ResMed S9 AutoSet does have the big ResMed logo (in an oval box).

It was manufactured 10-18-11 in Australia & has the Software Version SX474-0903. It was sold to my DME provider 12-21-11 (2 months later).
So, an S9 manufactured over 4 months ago is a newer model. Note how long ResMed keeps them before they are even sold to the DME providers. My previous S9 AutoSet (that I exchanged for this newer model) had been manufactured over 6 months before I bought it from my DME provider. It is not uncommon to see ResMed machines in inventory that were manufactured 6 to 7 months ago. So beware. You may be sold a "stale" machine.

My ResMed H5i heated humidifier was manufactured 11-106-11 in Australia. It's ID (HID) is SX496-0212 (which shows up on the S9 AutoSet only when the H5i is connected). It was sold to my DME provider 11-20-11.

Dane:
I have seen postings noting that 1 person had an S9 AutoSet with the 0904 Software Version & another with the 0905 software version. But, they never responded with a manufacture date.

Do you have any idea how ResMed went from 0601 & 0602 Software Versions to 0903, 0904, and 0905? Or what each Software Version update did / changed for the S9 AutoSet?

[TANSTAF1]

The one I am getting on Thursday is coming into the DME in a shipment tomorrow, so it should be new, but i will be checking the SW version (and I suppose run hours) although if it is -904 or later I may not make an issue of it.

[Uncle_Bob]

My brick and mortar DME is getting fed up with the climateline hoses breaking at the cuff.
If you get a climate line hose i would recommend using some electrical tape or F4 tape to reinforce the area where the cuff is attached to the hose, as can easily break.

[Hopefullymiserable2]

miserable... did you get the S9? If so did you get the climateline?

Have the s9 and humidifier is H5i. I see in the product info that a heated tube is optional. What does that do ?? I dread going to bed now . I have stopped sleeping like I am cramming for college finals or something. Slept 1.5 hours last night. College was 1983 and it is too soon to repeat the all nighters. Keep thinking surely I will crash and sleep.

[cflame1]

miserable... the climateline will heat the air that's coming to you so it isn't cold.