Extended warranty and wireless activation worth it for a new APAP?

[needsleeptoronto]

Hi All,

I've got 2 quick questions for all you pros.

1)
Just wondering if people consider getting the extended warranty on a brand new unit worth it? I'm going through insurance, and just found out I'm covered for the unit, but they don't cover the extended warranty that the retailer is providing ($200 for 2 years extended).

It's the ResMed AirSense 10 Auto for Her, so I guess it comes with 2 years right off the bat. I don't really want to drop $200 out of pocket on the extended warranty for an extra 2 years if it's not something I should need or worry about.

2)
I also notice a charge for "Wireless Activation for Compliance Monitoring" for $50. This isn't covered either, and I know local insurance-recommended retailers will do just about anything to get every penny they can, but just wondering if this is something that can be waived, or if it's something I can set up myself.

I don't mind spending the $50 if it's actually something that I can't do myself, that will just transmit the data to them or wherever, but if it's just pressing a button in the menus, I'd rather just take care of it myself.


Just looking for input here Thanks again!

[Goofproof]

Extended warranty is mostly a huge rip off, for anything! Jim

[jdm5]

I would think not - in my experience these are pretty reliable, and you can pickup a new Autoset Airsense 10 for 450-550 on this site from other members or new 750-850 - and that is today - 2 years from now (manufacturers warranty) they will be cheaper. They typically last 5 years easy, I upgraded my Resmed S8 after 8 years and it was still going fine.

Save your money.

[needsleeptoronto]

Thank you both! I will pass on the extended warranty then. Figured they were quite reliable based on how long people keep these machines for.

I have another question - will update the original post too, but I also notice a charge for "Wireless Activation for Compliance Monitoring" for $50. This isn't covered either, and I know local insurance-recommended retailers will do just about anything to get every penny they can, but just wondering if this is something that can be waived, or if it's something I can set up myself.

I don't mind spending the $50 if it's actually something that I can't do myself, that will just transmit the data to them or wherever, but if it's just pressing a button in the menus, I'd rather just take care of it myself.

[Julie]

I would think the wireless activation applies to U.S. insce regs whereby the doctors report your initial ? 3 mo. compliance to the insce co's so they'll fund your equipment. I don't see how it could be applied in Ont, or anywhere else in Canada.

[Pugsy]

These new machines today come with a method to transmit the data over cell towers and it gets done automatically and we have to make a special effort to turn it off.
And it's free to us.

That's a for sure $50 mark up to add money in their cash drawer. They get that from ResMed for free. ResMed is the account holder for the wireless data.

ResMed has a website for you...the consumer...called MyAir. All you need to do is register the serial number of the machine and your private email address.
DMEs do the same thing and they can look at either the MyAir website or the provider website called AirView from ResMed and they already are members (or should be) and can see anyone's data that is registered and transmitted.

$50 rip off to the patient.

[jdm5]

Would not pay the $50. Ripoff.

Curious - how much will you end up paying out of pocket with insurance?

[palerider]

Hi All,

I've got 2 quick questions for all you pros.

1) extended warranty
2) "Wireless Activation for Compliance Monitoring" for $50.

1) extended warranties are only offered because they're profitable for the people offering them... think about it the next time you're offered one... "they expect me to pay them and not lose money by having to fix this thing".

2) They're trying to screw you. They can either pull the data off Resmed's cloud for free, or you can take an SD card in to prove compliance. That one's even more bullshit than the extended warranty.

Basically, these people are trying to screw you.

Do some math and see if it wouldn't be cheaper to just buy the machine outright, from an online source.

[Goofproof]

The people you are dealing with are only about one thing your money, never trust anything they say or do. Take care of your needs yourself, software and forum will help! Jim

[LSAT]

Find a different supplier..One that will not rip you off. Check with your insurance to see who is in network.. I have never heard of either of these charges before.

[Pugsy]

I have never heard of either of these charges before.

I have...OP is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
In Canada cpap coverage or reimbursement is mainly province specific...some provinces cover more than other or in a different manner.
Ontario uses the OHIP guidelines and reimbursement rates are fixed so the supplier tack on a bunch of crap fees to make more money and they make it out like they are "helping" you.
I have seen other Canadian members talk about these kind of fees.

[Dog Slobber]

I have never heard of either of these charges before.

I have...OP is in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
In Canada cpap coverage or reimbursement is mainly province specific...some provinces cover more than other or in a different manner.
Ontario uses the OHIP guidelines and reimbursement rates are fixed so the supplier tack on a bunch of crap fees to make more money and they make it out like they are "helping" you.
I have seen other Canadian members talk about these kind of fees.

I'll attest to the inflated rip-off from my DME, also in Ontario.

I didn't know any better and fortunately for me, my private insurance covered most of it.

ResMed branded SD Card - $35.00 (Not covered by insurance)
2nd Humidifier tub - $70.00
2 s9/s10 filters - $24.00
2 containers of CPAP wipes $34.00
1 tube brush $18.00
1 ClimateLine Tube $75.00
1 N20 Mask $250.00
*all prices Canadian

I recognize that there is a cost to providing fittings, and remote monitoring/config, Brick & Mortar expenses, but some of those costs are unreasonable.

I haven't been back and bock all my supplies online. My supplies are 85% covered by insurance, but I won't take part in my DME ripping me or my insurance carrier either.

[prodigyplace]

I'll attest to the inflated rip-off from my DME, also in Ontario.

I didn't know any better and fortunately for me, my private insurance covered most of it.

ResMed branded SD Card - $35.00 (Not covered by insurance)
2nd Humidifier tub - $70.00
2 s9/s10 filters - $24.00
2 containers of CPAP wipes $34.00
1 tube brush $18.00
1 ClimateLine Tube $75.00
1 N20 Mask $250.00
*all prices Canadian

I recognize that there is a cost to providing fittings, and remote monitoring/config, Brick & Mortar expenses, but some of those costs are unreasonable.

I haven't been back and bock all my supplies online. My supplies are 85% covered by insurance, but I won't take part in my DME ripping me or my insurance carrier either.

The Resmed machine already comes with an SD Card from factory.

$12.00 each for filter is an extreme cash grab! Just a quick look, her's 15 for $20.00 CDN. https://www.amazon.ca/CPAP-Filters-ResM ... 074G2Z7GC/

I believe there are 2 different machine packages. One with the Climateline hose & one with a slimline hose.

[Dog Slobber]

The Resmed machine already comes with an SD Card from factory.

$12.00 each for filter is an extreme cash grab! Just a quick look, her's 15 for $20.00 CDN. https://www.amazon.ca/CPAP-Filters-ResM ... 074G2Z7GC/

I believe there are 2 different machine packages. One with the Climateline hose & one with a slimline hose.

Believe me, I'm very aware now how much my insurance carrier and I were ripped off. DMEs take advantage of new patients naivety, ignorance and state of mind.

[mrCanoehead]

I agree with the other posts regarding not buying the extended warranty. If the electronics are going to fail, they are going to fail very early, way before the factory warranty expires. If there is an air filter on the input, don't let it get super dirty before replacing - you should get many years out of the unit. On the other hand, if you are travelling with the machine a lot, and the extended warranty covers the type of damage you could envisage, you might consider it depending on the price.

On the subject of the wireless activation, I would never pay for that and in fact if I can rip the radio out of my Airsense 10 for her after I buy it, that is the first thing I will do. The sleepyhead software is excellent; tells me much more than Resmed's website.

I would be very interested in what you end up paying to get set up. I am in Ontario too. I am planning to just buy the stripped machine, and getting all the other gear (Climateline hose, upgraded mask, etc) from that online place in Markham. I can get wipes from Amazon for much less than what the people I am dealing with, charge.