Why My Dr get to choose my machine ?

[ChicagoGranny]

The crap the medical profession puts us through ...

[purple22]

Many years ago, My first Doc said he preferred PR machines because of the excellent reports it had with more detail, more printed pages to get a better look. He was the expert so for some years I had a PR machine. I am not sure how much Resmed has improved their printed reports for some years, but I think the same is still true. Strange that Resmed did not choose to upgrade their report system. but it has been years since I tried to use the Resmed Report system.

The first doc said he would write for whichever manufacturer I wanted, but he preferred PR Respironics. My current machine is Resmed, which has a different algorithm for how fast air flow changes. One doc said he did prefer the PR reports, but the patients who used Resmed seemed to be more comfortable, and happier with their therapy. I felt the older PR Respironic machines were built like tanks, although had an annoying blue light on top at night. Resmed feels a bit flimsy, but I no longer drag it off onto the floor as I use a hose hanger, so no matter if it is, or is not built more strongly.

I have Medicare. My DME, Lincare, prefers PR Respironics because Resmed costs them more. One of them told me, as they waived my co-pay on my Resmed VPAP that they lost money on the transaction, but did it with a smile on their face (or maybe grimace) because my Doc ordered Resmed, and they wanted to stay on his good side. They also said they did not make money back on my choice of mask, FitLife. And they have waived my co-pay on that on each order.

I am within two weeks of having five years on my Resmed VPAP, (and FitLife masks) with over 17,800 hours. I sometimes lay in bed with the mask on, trying to sleep. Nothing like arthritis pain to keep one awake.

I am trying to explain my answer of, sometimes it is the better reports of PR that docs like, and the DME's prefer better profit. and the experience of how I came by that knowledge.

Pugsy used to say; "That there is not a dime's worth of difference between the two major manufacturers of similar model machines." Or did you Pugsy?

Perhaps we should add a tag line for what our insurance is?

[greatunclebill]

talk to the doctor's nurse. have her explain it to the doc and get the correct prescription sent to a good dme.

[palerider]

Many years ago, My first Doc said he preferred PR machines because of the excellent reports it had with more detail, more printed pages to get a better look. He was the expert so for some years I had a PR machine. I am not sure how much Resmed has improved their printed reports for some years, but I think the same is still true. Strange that Resmed did not choose to upgrade their report system. but it has been years since I tried to use the Resmed Report system.

Resmed's software is orders of magnitude *better* than Respironics.

Resmeds is interactive, you can move, zoom, and examine, fairly easily..

Respironics is ... a tree killer.. all you can do is print out a set format, you can't zoom in and examine anything.