need some fast advice on getting first cpap

[lightfoot500]

Hi, newbie here,
diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea.
have insurance but have to meet the $1000 deductable.
doctor prescribed airsense 10 autoset, DME wants $130 up front plus $70 a month for 13 months.
another direct seller has a price of $830 for the same machine. ( i believe it is identical )
if i pay the DME thru the insurance it goes towards deductible but is still out of my pocket in another sense.
seems like going thru DME and paying towards the deductible would make more sense assuming there will be other expenses towards deductible.
is there any reason i am not seeing why i would want to go with the better priced cpap assuming both are the same machine. ( is there more than one resmed s10 autoset ?)
or is there something i should remember to request from the DME that this being my first time i may not know about ?
the DME told me to call today and let them know if i want their cpap or not.

thanks, lf

[LSAT]

There is no S10...It is an Airsense 10 Autoset. Look at it like this...If you buy your own machine and then for some reason find you can't use it you are out $900. If you rent for a couple months and find you can't use it...you can cancel the contract. Basically most people would be better off purchasing their own machine and save the $200. Check out cpap.com. If you go with the deductable there will be other expenses...masks, hoses etc

[lightfoot500]

Tks. Made correction

[Cardsfan]

#1- do not let the DME tell you that you have to decide today.

[RandyJ]

If you know you are going to have lots of other medical claims and want to pay down your deductible, I can see going through the DME. However, buying direct out of pocket is often the cheaper way to go.

Are you locked into the Resmed Airsense 10? The PR System One Series 60 Auto (previous model but still brand new) sells for $419 + humidifier. If you plan to go the out of pocket route, it could be a lot cheaper than buying the newest Resmed machine. If you have a copy of prescription from your Dr you can buy whichever cpap or autopap machine you want.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... tooth.html

[Sir NoddinOff]

For you and other newbies out there: I know you have an Rx for an autoset but whatever you decide to buy be sure to end up with a data capable machine so you can use free Sleepyhead software to track your therapy. Here's a useful database thats quite current that will tell you the facts:

https://sleep.tnet.com/equipment/cpapmachines

[BlackSpinner]

There is more too it then just the machine. There is also the mask. It is critical to your comfort and success.
If you have a decent DME they can fit you well. Many haven't a clue however. A good DME is worth the extra cost to the newbie, unfortunately they are hard to find.

Think of a mask like a pair of shoes - you will be walking the entire Appalachian trail, you don't want to do that in some random pair of shoes off the shelf that you weren't allowed to try on, that almost fit.

[Janknitz]

Don't forget it's nearly May. You won't be done paying for it on monthly rental by next January, which means you'll hit another deductible period before you reach $1000 for this one. In other words you'll pay the entire amount out of pocket anyway.

[sc0ttt]

DME wants $130 up front plus $70 a month for 13 months.

OK as you've figured out - that's REALLY expensive. And it probably doesn't include your mask and other supplies. And that deductible crossing over into next year point was spot on.

And as has been noted, you don't really know how well you will tolerate CPAP therapy.

Idea: Maybe you can use your DME to fit you for a mask - that would be a righteous expense to buy it from them because you'd be getting a service and maybe trade-in guarantee. Worth asking.

And then you can purchase a used machine for a good price - you might find it's totally acceptable and save a lot of money. Then you could buy a new machine from the DME starting with January rental so your deductible doesn't roll over... or you could buy a new machine from another source without the rental.

[Cardsfan]

Have you looked here ? http://www.secondwindcpap.com

And for $589 you can get the S9 Autoset for her with humidifier from https://www.cpap.com. If you don't mind pink.

[Ladyskets]

Also check with your insurance company to be sure that you will actually own the machine when you are finished "renting to own" it. With my Aetna insurance I paid my price and then AFTER all that money was paid out, I found out I don't own my machine. The DME still owns it. That was 6 1/2 yrs ago. I now have a $3000 deductible so am pretty much stuck with the thing until it dies.

[Sir NoddinOff]

And for $589 you can get the S9 Autoset for her with humidifier from https://www.cpap.com. If you don't mind pink.

You can buy some 'skins' for that S9 machine which will make it appear as camo, nature themes, solid colors - just about anything you want. I'll look for the link, I know I've got it somewhere.

[palerider]

And for $589 you can get the S9 Autoset for her with humidifier from https://www.cpap.com. If you don't mind pink.

You can buy some 'skins' for that S9 machine which will make it appear as camo, nature themes, solid colors - just about anything you want. I'll look for the link, I know I've got it somewhere.

here ya go: http://www.skinit.com/create-your-own/c ... ins/resmed

I find it easiest to find by just googling s9 skinit.

they used to have 'stock' designs, all I think they have now are DIY designs where you can design something, or upload your own pics to the template. I've done three... space, and then tigers for one friend, and rabbits for another.... all came out great.

[lightfoot500]

I still have not made up my mind about going with the DME or buying one on my own at secondwind.
1. would it be better to get the support from the DME on my progress and to help make changes if needed ? if there is any.
2. cost of it all going thru the dme.


but i am concerned about locked into using it 5 hours every night or they come take it .
and the DME has not really come out and said whether i own it , or just leasing it.

lf

[Julie]

Do NOT count on DMEs for help interpreting your progress - way too many doctors do not even understand how to do it and most of us use software called Sleepyhead (it's free). We can help you get set up with it and then advise on reports when you post them.