Phillips / Philips Respironics recent recall notice discussion thread

[Dan_McD]

I just had a pleasant call with Medicare, they told me to contact my physician and just send in the sleep study results plus a note in regards to the Philips Respironics recall, including my machine's serial number, and they would cover a new machine.

I'll bet Philips will be happy to hear about this. Sounds like Medicare will take them off the hook. I have Medicare Advantage through United Health care and they told me they don't have any thing to do with this, that it was all on Philips. Would you please keep us posted of your progress?

[Dan_McD]

Just got an email from my DME

Our records indicate you have a Philips device impacted by their current recall.

We are issuing a bacterial filter that can be used temporarily with your device. We have attached an instruction sheet for installing the bacterial filter. The bacterial filter package can be picked up at one of our convenient locations, which are summarized in the attached document.

To issue this package, we would require a desktop prescription from your physician stating: Bacterial Filter. Once we have the prescription in hand, we will contact you with location information and time frame for pick-up.

LOL... so I need a prescription for a bacterial filter?!

Very interesting. I was told by a DME that the bacterial filters are ineffective for use on the recalled machines and to stop use of said machine.

[Grumpy48]

Very interesting. I was told by a DME that the bacterial filters are ineffective for use on the recalled machines and to stop use of said machine.

Bacterial filters effective for foam particulates, not so much for off-gassing VOC's emitted from the foam. If an inline filter were made that combined a particulate filter with a carbon filter element which would capture the VOC's that might prove interesting.

Your DME wants your $$$$$$

[Dan_McD]

Very interesting. I was told by a DME that the bacterial filters are ineffective for use on the recalled machines and to stop use of said machine.

Bacterial filters effective for foam particulates, not so much for off-gassing VOC's emitted from the foam. If an inline filter were made that combined a particulate filter with a carbon filter element which would capture the VOC's that might prove interesting.

Your DME wants your $$$$$$

Not my DME. I chatted on-line with a well known DME.

ME: Will your bacterial filters filter out the chemicals that are listed for the recall of the Philips Dreamstation?
DME: Please be aware the filters suggested is for use with ventilators. Users of CPAP/APAP/BiPAP machines are to discontinue use of the affected machine.
ME: Oh, okay. I thought they were for cpap machines.
DME: They can be used, however, they will not be effective. Users of ventilators cannot stop usage as, well, you know what would happen to those individuals.

[DDD]

Well darn, my backup/Camping CPAP is on the list. I wonder how long until it will be fixed.

[kbh209]

I just had a pleasant call with Medicare, they told me to contact my physician and just send in the sleep study results plus a note in regards to the Philips Respironics recall, including my machine's serial number, and they would cover a new machine.

I'll bet Philips will be happy to hear about this. Sounds like Medicare will take them off the hook. I have Medicare Advantage through United Health care and they told me they don't have any thing to do with this, that it was all on Philips. Would you please keep us posted of your progress?

I have standard Medicare A&B, with Medicare as my secondary health insurance. Ultimately the ball is in the Sleep Specialist's court if he wants to put in some effort to prescribe a new machine. As soon as I got off the phone with Medicare, I reached out to my doctor on the health portal. This isn't Medicare taking anybody off the hook, this is only the beginning of the recall. I figure instead of waiting 30 + days before reaching out to Medicare, I did it now, to get an official answer for at least my situation, in hopes I can rectify it before too many people start reaching out to Medicare.

I just had a pleasant call with Medicare, they told me to contact my physician and just send in the sleep study results plus a note in regards to the Philips Respironics recall, including my machine's serial number, and they would cover a new machine.

Thanks. That's interesting. Is your machine under five years old?

Yeah, just received the machine in the fall of 2020.

[JLROhio]

JLROhio, I just talked to the VA cpap clinic and made an appt to bring my machine in to be checked. That's what I had forgotten before. They check the machine for the problem and then if it needs to be replaced they replace it.

So I don't know if your plan of reporting noises that aren't happening will result in a new machine.

My noises are intermittent so I don't know what they are going to do. Since it's working ok now I am not bringing it in until I go to another appt in mid July. My clinic is not that easy to get to for me.

I'll have to come up with a new scheme!
I was hoping they would let me keep my existing machine as a backup - after all, they (the VA) never paid for or issued me my original machine.
Maybe they will just send me a new one in the mail....like they do when they mail me my yearly supplies.

We'll cross that bridge when we get there - good luck with your upcoming visit - sucks that you have to travel so far.

[Dan_McD]

I just had a pleasant call with Medicare, they told me to contact my physician and just send in the sleep study results plus a note in regards to the Philips Respironics recall, including my machine's serial number, and they would cover a new machine.

I'll bet Philips will be happy to hear about this. Sounds like Medicare will take them off the hook. I have Medicare Advantage through United Health care and they told me they don't have any thing to do with this, that it was all on Philips. Would you please keep us posted of your progress?

I have standard Medicare A&B, with Medicare as my secondary health insurance. Ultimately the ball is in the Sleep Specialist's court if he wants to put in some effort to prescribe a new machine. As soon as I got off the phone with Medicare, I reached out to my doctor on the health portal. This isn't Medicare taking anybody off the hook, this is only the beginning of the recall. I figure instead of waiting 30 + days before reaching out to Medicare, I did it now, to get an official answer for at least my situation, in hopes I can rectify it before too many people start reaching out to Medicare.

I just had a pleasant call with Medicare, they told me to contact my physician and just send in the sleep study results plus a note in regards to the Philips Respironics recall, including my machine's serial number, and they would cover a new machine.

Thanks. That's interesting. Is your machine under five years old?

Yeah, just received the machine in the fall of 2020.

If Medicare is willing to replace recalled machines, without a charge-back to Philips, (subrogation) in effect it allows irresponsible companies to continue to make unhealthy medical equipment without consequence, it is taking them off the hook. (2. My sleep specialist was willing to write a script. Medicare Advantage would not pick up the tab. They see the responsibility both morally and financially at Philips' front door. I paid out-of-pocket because I don't breathe at night (74% O2) without the cpap machine. Sometimes, my wife said, I stopped breathing totally.

[Woody]

Both my Resmed S9 cpap and S8 apap have under 2,000 blower hrs
on them and have been stored away unloved in the closet. Now till
this recall gets resolved while I wait and see if Medicare will pay
for the new perscription my Dr. wrote I am glad I kept those old
machines after all.

[reader2580]

Respshop.com has a note on their website that the FDA has not approved the recall process as of June 25th. This probably explains why Philips hasn't said how the recall will be done as the FDA has not approved the recall.

I am probably going to get a Resmed unit as a local DME still has them in stock and at a good cash price. My regular DME said they have no CPAP machines at all and no projection on when they might get any.

[chunkyfrog]

Since the foam filter is integrated with the fan housing, both will need to be replaced.
As per the second video in Pugsy's link, it will take some time to manufacture
new housings with the good foam--if P/R actually intends to do that.
The expense could wipe out the cpap division.
My guess is that Respironics execs are making travel reservations . . .
Not owning stock or a machine from P/R . . . . . PRICELESS.

[rhashimoto]

The expense could wipe out the cpap division.

This is unlikely. Philips has set aside 500 million euros for the recall, which is a lot to be sure, but they have the resources to withstand it. Looking at their latest annual SEC filing, the business unit containing Respironics recorded 708 million euros of income on 5.6 billion euros in sales (Respironics accounts for half of this). It wouldn't be shocking if they still managed a profit over the recall period. Philips as a whole had 3.2 billion euros in cash on their balance sheet, and their market cap is 45 billion euros. It's going to sting, but it doesn't look close to an existential crisis sort of thing.

It helps Philips that DreamStation 2 is not affected by the recall and most of their sales are B2B so are less impacted by end customer unhappiness.

If you're concerned about lawsuits, all the class actions I've seen so far are those nuisance shareholder suits. That doesn't mean there won't be patient suits as well, but if there are Philips will have general and product liability insurance to reduce their exposure.

[HairyReasoner]

Had a long talk with my DME. I realize the information I have may already be out there, but just to add my report of what I've been told. . .

Phillips hasn't said when they will start. As others have pointed out, they are awaiting FDA approval of their plan.

My DME has only been told what Phillips intends to do for CPAP users of Dreamsatation 1--they have said they will replace those units with new Dreamstation 2 CPAPs instead of repairing. So good news is CPAP users may get a sooner solution and new machines. Bad news for those who use OSCAR.

My DME has been told nothing for users of any other type of machine. Of course part of that may be they only have Dreamstations out for CPAP. Maybe they'll do the same thing once the corresponding model becomes available, and maybe they'll repair or replace with refurbished DS1. They don't know.

No word on what they'll do for System One owners. I have a hard time seeing hey'll replace those with new DS2s.

Resmed is prioritizing supply to those DMEs who have been good customers. My DME only sold Phillips (claimed due to Resmed not honoring warranties), so Resmed allowed them to order few at first, and has now cut them off.

[Dog Slobber]

Resmed is prioritizing supply to those DMEs who have been good customers. My DME only sold Phillips (claimed due to Resmed not honoring warranties), so Resmed allowed them to order few at first, and has now cut them off.

Gee, imagine that.

ResMed giving priority to the customers who have been supporting them, instead of prioritising the businesses who wouldn't sell their products.

[Dan_McD]

Resmed is prioritizing supply to those DMEs who have been good customers. My DME only sold Phillips (claimed due to Resmed not honoring warranties), so Resmed allowed them to order few at first, and has now cut them off.

.....and rightfully so. I'm sure if the shoe were on the other foot, Philips would do the same thing.