Resmed Astral

[Arizona-Willie]

My DME sent out a lady this morning who brought up giving me an Astral instead of the Airsense 10.

I've been using an Resmed S9 APAP for 10 years and it has over 23,000 hours on it.

So it is overdue for replacement.

They have my S10 APAP ready for delivery tomorrow. Or I can choose the Astral.

Which is better? I know the Astral actually forces air into your lungs ( according to what she said ), whereas the S10 relies on my own breathing.

I have a feeling I'm been led down the garden trail and they are trying to give me something cheaper.

But I don't know for sure.

What is your opinion? Any Astral users here?

[Okie bipap]

The ResMed site defines the Astral as a portable ventilator, not a CPAP. Can't imagine why they would bring that to you and try to tell you it is a CPAP machine.

[Dog Slobber]

You don't just "bring up" switching from xPAP device to a Ventilator. You change because of a medical need to do so.

• There is no medical need to change
• There is less expertise, knowledge an experience in this community and other online communities
• These devices are not compatible with SH/Oscar
• The are not what you are accustomed to

Why would you change?

[Arizona-Willie]

They were supposed to give me an Airsense 10 Auto. And they are going to.
I had never had this happen before. Got a call last night that they wanted to send this Repiratory Therapist out to make sure I was getting the right equipment.

This morning she said I could get the Astral or another one or my APAP.

Being suspicious of all DME'S I didn't make a decision until I could check things out. She is supposed to bring my APAP in the morning unless I tell her I want the Astral.

I figured they were trying to pawn off a cheaper machine on me, but I was wrong. The Astral 150 is about 8,000. Much more than the APAP.

So I am puzzled as to why they would volunteer that.

Then I thought they probably got them back from people who passed away and if they can get me to take the machines that are free to them ( since they sold them once ) instead of the APAP they make more money.

Anyway, from looking at them, I believe the Astral is a BIPAP machine anyway. So I am going to stay with the APAP. I've been using my APAP for 10 years and it has worked well for me. And I'm still suspicious so the best thing is not to take the deal. That way I'm sure what I'm getting will be ok for me. If, in future years, I deteriorate and need that then I will get that.

[Julie]

Stuff happens... paperwork error... not a plot to mess you up.

[palerider]

The question to ask is "Why are you suggesting an astral? why do I *NEED* a ventilator?"

Maybe there's something we don't know about your respiratory needs that would cause you to benefit from one.

[Pugsy]

That's a very specific kind of machine and requires a very specific prescription from the doctor and DMEs aren't supposed to be making changes like that without a doctors order.
You might call up your doctor and ask him why the DME brought you a ventilator instead of a regular cpap/apap machine....ask him if you have something wrong with you that he hasn't told you about.

[Arizona-Willie]

My doctor told me he was prescribing a Resmed Airsense 10 AUTO and the RT said that was what he ordered also.

So It's not because of my condition.

I do very well on APAP.

It's really puzzling why they would want to move me up to one of those much more expensive machines, unless they get paid much more from my insurance company. Perhaps it is a higher profit margin.

Anyway, she just offered it and didn't try to force me to take it or anything like that.

I'm staying with what the doctor ordered.

[Pugsy]

My point is it shouldn't ever have been offered IMHO and it's not that they will make more money on it since it is a really high dollar machine....
Your doctor would have to provide extra documentation proving need for this sort of device or else they would simply deny all charges for it.
To offer it instead of what the doctor prescribed is like the pharmacist totally changing someone's medication and dosage. Just isn't done.

I will play with a lot of machines but I am stopping short of playing with full time ventilators like the Astral.

[Dog Slobber]

1. Take the $8,000 ResMed Astral
2. Sell it for $5,000 - $7,000
3. Buy a brand new AutoSet for Her for $500-$700
4. Profit!

[chunkyfrog]

Not the best idea.
The astral is likely a perpetual rental.
You would never own it.
On top of that, aren't DME's held to the same rules as pharmacies?
Dispensing something drastically different from the Rx could be illegal.
Somebody got some 'splainin' to do.

[raisedfist]

No idea why the DME gave you information about the Astral. Either way, reject it since it's a ventilator and most likely a perpetual rental.

[LookingUp!]

You don't want the Astral. As others have said, not only is it highly expensive, it is a continual monthly rental. You never pay it off. You will be paying a high monthly cost for the life of the machine. And you're right, it is a BiLevel machine. It's mostly prescribed for people with Neuromuscular disorders or people with COPD that need night and often daytime ventilation. It's a wonderful machine for those that need it but thankfully, you don't.

[Arizona-Willie]

My insurance would have paid the rental.

But I went with the Airsense 10. Got it yesterday and used it last night.

Very quiet, couldn't hear it at all. Seems smoother than the S9 APAP. Probably the newer algoritms.

[Dog Slobber]

My insurance would have paid the rental.

But I went with the Airsense 10. Got it yesterday and used it last night.

Very quiet, couldn't hear it at all. Seems smoother than the S9 APAP. Probably the newer algoritms.

With the exception of the newer For Her algorithm, the A.S.10 AutoSet uses the same algorithm as the S9. I believe the 10 is quieter, but remember you're also comparing it to a 9 year old machine that is likely a little less quiet than it was when you first got it.

The A.S. 10 is a popular machine around here, most love it.