S9 Modem question

[wardmiller]

My DME Help Desk is clueless about this, as they have been with every other technical or medical question I've asked them. Maybe someone here knows?

There is a little plastic ring around the base of the antenna on my S9 Modem. I first got the S9 50-some days ago and noticed after a few days, the ring was back-lit with a sort of green light. Then I went on a weekend trip and took it with me. When I came back, it was not lit. Then a couple of weeks later, it was lit again. Due to Hurricane Sandy, we lost power earlier this week. Some time after it came back on, I noticed the green light was blinking. Now it is on full time.

About two weeks ago, I received a letter from my DME saying Congratulations! I am now Compliant . . . almost. Now that I have completed "31 days of usage", the remaining step is for me to visit my doctor and have him complete the paper work (what paper work?). Of course, I would not even know what compliant meant if I had not been reading messages on this forum! My DME never explained those facts of life to me.

I don't know what the blinking light around the antenna means, but I could guess it means a connection (snitch) is in progress. And I'd guess when the light is steady, it means a previous connection was successful.

Finally, my question. Why would they have connected to down load more data when they already know I'm Compliant? They have proven before they have absolutely no interest in my ongoing health condition.

[archangle]

Here's how I think it works.

The modem connects to a centralized service over the cell phone system. This service charges the DME $x per month to access the data. When the DME or doctor wants to see your data, he logs into their web site.

If the modem is plugged into the machine, it makes a connection every day and uploads the data to ResMed's servers. It uploads the data every day whether anyone looks at the data or not.

They might turn the modem off remotely after some time, or if the DME stops paying the service for the data.

In theory, the data can be used by your doctor to monitor your treatment, see how many apneas you have, make adjustments, check the data if you have problems, etc. It's a very powerful and useful tool

Unfortunately, far too often, this great technology is only used to get the insurance to pay, and the doctor doesn't use it to help the patient. I don't know if your particular doctor or DME is among the clueless.

[SleepDepraved2]

When I had the modem on mine, the light on the modem came on at 7 AM every day.

[wardmiller]

Well, Google is my friend. I found the Users Guide for the S9 Wireless Module.

"...has been programmed to automatically transmit data from your S9 device at a specific time every day."
"...sends patient therapy data to a centralized server for later access by your healthcare professional via the internet..."
The LED blinking one second on, one second off, indicates the module is ready.
When the LED is on steady, it indicates the healthcare provider has activated it.

Now I know what the blinkin' light is all about.

My DME has never mentioned when/if my S9 becomes my personal property. I wonder who the Wireless Module belongs to?

[ughwhatname]

I've still got my modem for another week or so. I was told that an return envelope will come in the mail for me to send back to them "in Colorado" at their central station.

Well, Google is my friend. I found the Users Guide for the S9 Wireless Module.

"...has been programmed to automatically transmit data from your S9 device at a specific time every day."
"...sends patient therapy data to a centralized server for later access by your healthcare professional via the internet..."
The LED blinking one second on, one second off, indicates the module is ready.
When the LED is on steady, it indicates the healthcare provider has activated it.

Now I know what the blinkin' light is all about.

My DME has never mentioned when/if my S9 becomes my personal property. I wonder who the Wireless Module belongs to?

[mcdover]

Well, Google is my friend. I found the Users Guide for the S9 Wireless Module.

"...has been programmed to automatically transmit data from your S9 device at a specific time every day."
"...sends patient therapy data to a centralized server for later access by your healthcare professional via the internet..."
The LED blinking one second on, one second off, indicates the module is ready.
When the LED is on steady, it indicates the healthcare provider has activated it.

Now I know what the blinkin' light is all about.

My DME has never mentioned when/if my S9 becomes my personal property. I wonder who the Wireless Module belongs to?

Assuming that you are on Medicare, the S9 is considered yours at 13 months. The DME will want the modem back very soon, because they are being charged a monthly fee by ResMed regardless if it is on a machine or not.

[StuUnderPressure]

Assuming that you are on Medicare, the S9 is considered yours at 13 months.

So, no matter what month you buy a CPAP in, under Medicare you will always be in 2 different years' deductibles?

[chunkyfrog]

Unless you buy it out of pocket.

[StuUnderPressure]

Unless you buy it out of pocket.

True, but 2 years' Medicare deductibles is still less than 100%.

[mcdover]

Assuming that you are on Medicare, the S9 is considered yours at 13 months.

So, no matter what month you buy a CPAP in, under Medicare you will always be in 2 different years' deductibles?

Correct.

[ozze_dollar]

An S9 modem. First time I have ever heard of it. Never seen one.

[wardmiller]

ozze_dollar, here is the S9 modem's User Guide which tells you quite a bit about it, with pictures.

http://tinyurl.com/a32yfwe