Sleep Data Question

sinclaj · Post by **sinclaj** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 3:58 pm

I've read a lot of posts from people talking about the numbers they get from their CPAP machines. How does one access that information?

I have a Remstar 418A, and the only info I see is the time (when off) and current pressure setting, when on.

Thanks!

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 4:40 pm

are you sure its a Remstar 418? There is a Goodknight 418...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:25 pm

It does say Goodknight on the machine, but the invoice says Remstar. Being new, I asumed Remstar was the manufacturer.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Mon Mar 21, 2005 8:43 pm

Another Evil DME... They billed for one unit and gave you a different one...

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:37 am

sinclaj, you might want to check with the place that gave you your machine...to make sure they didn't mix you up with another patient of theirs. With that kind of glitch on the invoice, you might also want to ask them to check the machine and confirm that it really is set for the pressure the doctor prescribed for you - not, heaven forbid, the machine/pressure another patient was supposed to receive.

It's probably all ok and was just a slip of the mind when whoever wrote up the invoice was doing the paperwork. But I'd still want to be sure.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 12:54 am

sinclaj, how long have you had the 418A? (Full name of it is Goodknight 418A - it's made by Puritan Bennett.) That's a straight cpap machine and won't give you any information of interest...like numbers of apneas, hypopneas, snores, leaks, etc.

The reason I asked how long you've had the 418A is because it's one of the older cpaps. The "420" series took the "418"s place at least a couple of years ago. If the health care store gave you a 418A fairly recently - within the past year or so - they were giving you an "older" machine (though perhaps still new, as in not having been sold yet) - a machine they may have simply had sitting on their shelf, instead of the current PB GoodKnight 420's that were already available for the past couple of years.

I don't mean to discourage you or cast doubt on your fine machine...it's a good one and should last you a long, long time. But in light of the machine model name mistake on the invoice, I'm just curious about what else the DME (home health care store) might have done.

sinclaj · Post by **sinclaj** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 7:57 am

I just got the machine last week. And, the invoice is for $1620!

Do I have any recourse at this point????????

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 8:08 am

Rested,
The 418A is an autopap and will download to the Silverlining program.
It doesn't give the 12 hour chart, but all other info is available.

The 418 G is the straight cpap model.

sinclaj · Post by **sinclaj** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 8:19 am

OK, now I think I am really ticked at the DME supplier. The machine I was invoiced for is a Remstar Plus W/ C-Flex, and the machine tey brought is a Goodknight 418A.

I am assuming the Remstar is a better unit?????

sinclaj · Post by **sinclaj** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:02 am

I called the DME supplier. They said they substituted the Goodnight because of the Dr's orders. He said my Dr specified plain CPAP w/ no C-Flex or APAP w/ cool humidity.

When I complained about this machine being discontinued, they offered to bring out a 420G, which I am glad about, since it is much smaller and lighter.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:15 am

sinclaj,

Are you paying for this machine yourself? If so here is a link to the machine at cpap.com. They sell it for $415 which is about 1/4 of the $1620 the DME billed. If you have insurance and they gave you an old stock 418A and billed your insurance for the new REMstar Plus with C-flex they have commited insurance fraud. I would call them and tell them you think they gave you the wrong machine. If they don't offer to fix the situation immediately I would report them to your state insurance commisioner. Make sure you keep the machine so you can prove your claim. I would also inform your insurance company not to pay the claim because the DME is commiting fraud. All this said, ther is no harm in you using the machine while you get things straightened out. This is a good machine, just out of date. If you do get the DME to cooperate, ask them why they are charging 400% of what you could buy this machine for online.

Good luck!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 3:14 am

You're right, Guest. My mistake about the 418A. It is indeed an autopap. It was before my time.

Mikesus · Post by **Mikesus** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 6:28 am

Respironics is the manufacturer for the Remstar line.