Is a basic machine best, or merely adequate?

SleeplessInIL · Post by **SleeplessInIL** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:59 am

I've been on cpap for one week now. All in all, it's going ok (as long as I use a little sleep aid when I turn in). Before I tell the DME that this machine will work for me (ie go ahead and start the billing), i would like opinions from those of you who are experienced.

The DME provided me with the Remstar M series basic model under the rent to own program that my insurance uses. My prescription pressure is 7cm.

Is there any benefit at my pressure to insist on c-flex capability?

And, there doesn't seem to be any mention in the users guide about retrieving detailed data to see how I'm doing. I would like to know more about how it's working for me, but this machine seems limited.

Thanks

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:11 pm

The "MINIMUM" machine you want to get is a REMstar M Series Pro. That is a straight pressure CPAP machine that collects data.....that you WILL be able to use to monitor your therapy.

The next steps up are the Auto/APAP machines. All of these CPAP/APAP machines have the same insurance code and your insurance provider will pay exactly the same amount regardless of which one the DME gives you. Consequently, your DME will (probably) fight you tooth and nail to give you the cheapest equipment in order to maximize their profits.

If you don't at least get the "Pro" NOW.......you'll wish at some point (probably sooner than later) that you'd have gotten it.

Den

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:26 pm

Post subject: Is a basic machine best, or merely adequate?

Actually, to answer your initial question......."NEITHER".

It sure as Hell isn't "Best" and would only be "adequate" as a backup machine once you've determined that your therapy is working for you.

Den

SleeplessInIL · Post by **SleeplessInIL** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:50 pm

Thanks Den.

Yep, the DME supplier said they will not provide anything but the basic. If I want to upgrade, I have to go somewhere else (which I'm prepared to do) or I suppose I could pay the difference.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 12:54 pm

I SO agree! My sleep study indicated that my pressure needed to be set at 6.0. A year later, after finding this forum, getting software and a card reader, I found that I was not really getting any effective CPAP therapy. So, I purchased an M Series Auto w/APAP, found my ACTUAL pressure setting is 12.0. Hoping you'll be able to at least get a data capable machine, or even better, and M Series auto. It's a "sweet dream" machine!!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

jjposey · Post by **jjposey** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:14 pm

That machine is the one I'm stuck with until I can afford a replacement out of pocket. If I were you I'd be getting rid of it as fast as possible!
How I wish I'd known a year ago what I know now!!!!
joanna

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:16 pm

SleeplessInIL wrote:Thanks Den.

Yep, the DME supplier said they will not provide anything but the basic. If I want to upgrade, I have to go somewhere else (which I'm prepared to do) or I suppose I could pay the difference.

With their attitude.....I would "walk" (actually run) from them and make it very well known WHY.

Have you checked with your insurance provider about them reimbursing YOU if you purchase the stuff out-of-pocket?
There are many of us who have used that method and it gets brought up frequently.
In the finally summary.....you need to ask yourself how much your health is worth and be willing to shell out a few more bucks if necessary.

Good luck,

Den

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:22 pm

If your insurance is contracted w/other local DME suppliers, give this supplier the option of giving you the Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex and Smart Card or you will take your business elsewhere. BUT DO IT NOW, ASAP, BEFORE the first 30 days have passed!!!!!! Or you are pretty much STUCK w/what you have now.

Call your insurance and ask them what other local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with so you know what and who your options are. DO IT NOW!

Wulfman wrote: ... All of these CPAP/APAP machines have the same insurance code and your insurance provider will pay exactly the same amount regardless of which one the DME gives you. Consequently, your DME will (probably) fight you tooth and nail to give you the cheapest equipment in order to maximize their profits.

If you don't at least get the "Pro" NOW.......you'll wish at some point (probably sooner than later) that you'd have gotten it.

Den is RIGHT ON! The bold emphasis is mine.

hades161 · Post by **hades161** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:43 pm

To look at this a different way ask yourself this.

Do you want to have to get PSG everytime you lose or gain 20 pounds? Or if you change something in your life like how you drink or smoke or have some other medical issue come up and have no way to see how they effect your OSA?

Do you want to be limited in your treatment by not having the ability to run the unit from time to time in Auto mode to check for and to be able to adjust your treatment to fit whatever changes come your way in life?

With the Apap and Data recording ability you can adapt to whatever life throws at you as well as run as a straight Cpap. A non-data recording Cpap can be adjusted pressure wise but only in a hit or miss fashion like a shot in the dark. Do you really wish to guess at it?

Get an Auto with Data recording it is the most sensible and cost effective way to insure the best treatment of your life threatening condition. Even if you have to get it from some place else or have to make them order it special for you or pay extra for it, fight for it. In the end at least it will help you take the medical leach off your pocketbook.

TiredTex · Post by **TiredTex** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:28 pm

Wow after reading threw this I am more nervious than befor......

I have not sat doun withe the DME I am still waiting for insurence aproval
but I was wondering Is there a CPAP with recording and presure ajustsments? or am I wanting an APAP?? the Dr. Perscrption just calls for CPAP Unit with Heated Humidifier and a setting of 9CWP (not sure what CWP means other than presure) that is all that is on the prscription.
Am I able to go in to the DME and tell them what I want or are they going to say this is it?

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): humidifier, CPAP, DME, APAP

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:35 pm

TiredTex wrote:Wow after reading threw this I am more nervious than befor......

I have not sat doun withe the DME I am still waiting for insurence aproval
but I was wondering Is there a CPAP with recording and presure ajustsments? or am I wanting an APAP?? the Dr. Perscrption just calls for CPAP Unit with Heated Humidifier and a setting of 9CWP (not sure what CWP means other than presure) that is all that is on the prscription.
Am I able to go in to the DME and tell them what I want or are they going to say this is it?

CWP = centimeters water pressure.

It's your money! You need to decide if you are buying your health needs or if are going to let them take your money regardless of what your health needs are.

It's either your health or their bottom line ... you decide.

TiredTex · Post by **TiredTex** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 2:59 pm

DreamStalker wrote:
CWP = centimeters water pressure.

It's your money! You need to decide if you are buying your health needs or if are going to let them take your money regardless of what your health needs are.

It's either your health or their bottom line ... you decide.

I like the way you think
But I dont know what I need
and I have been reading this site for a week and it has been infomative but I am still unclear on so many difrent things

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:22 pm

First get a copy of your PSG (sleep lab study) and the original copy of your prescription ... before signing any papers regarding machines or masks.

Then dermine your insurance copay if insurance is involved.

Then you have the minimum info to start shopping and demanding your health needs. You are then ready to demand your DME what you want/need and if they cannot provide you go to another ... you may discover that paying out of pocket is actually a better deal when you consider all of the headaches that insurance/DME will give you.

You will need to shop for a machine ... it's better to get an "auto titrating/adjusting" machine called an APAP. An APAP can be set to work just like a plain CPAP but CPAP cannot work as APAP ... and all APAP machines provide monitoring data which is essential to your treatment. Many here like the Respironics "M" series APAP with AFLEX ... also, you will be better of with a stand alone heated humidifer rather than the integrated one offered with the machine. The F&P HC 150 is a good choice for the HH.

The mask will be the most difficult to find since everyone has a different size/shape face and head ... you will just need to try enough of them to find what works best for you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:47 pm

Wow, thanks. Always great info here.

My prescription is just for CPAP. Other DME suppliers I have called say I need an Rx for auto before they can provide an auto machine.

So, does this mean a call to my Dr to get the script changed?

WearyOne · Post by **WearyOne** » Fri Feb 01, 2008 3:54 pm

hades161 wrote:To look at this a different way ask yourself this.

Do you want to have to get PSG everytime you lose or gain 20 pounds? Or if you change something in your life like how you drink or smoke or have some other medical issue come up and have no way to see how they effect your OSA?

Do you want to be limited in your treatment by not having the ability to run the unit from time to time in Auto mode to check for and to be able to adjust your treatment to fit whatever changes come your way in life?

With the Apap and Data recording ability you can adapt to whatever life throws at you as well as run as a straight Cpap. A non-data recording Cpap can be adjusted pressure wise but only in a hit or miss fashion like a shot in the dark. Do you really wish to guess at it?

I SO agree! I love my machine (Respironics M Series Pro w/CFLEX), but I so wish I'd known more "back then" and requested an auto. I don't think I'd like to use it in auto mode all the time, but just use that to test myself at certain points in my life, like mentioned above, and then switch it to CPAP for normal use.

I recently lost around 20 pounds (and intend on losing more) and I've already made adjustments to mine, but they are guesses. And with my high deductible insurance, I can't afford to have a sleep study done every time something, like weight loss, happens in my life

I would think you could at least get the one I have, which is a great machine with data capability. I didn't even have to ask for it (even though I was prepared with all my research to show why I wanted that one!). It was waiting for me on the DME's table when I came in for the appointment. (I was so consumed with getting treated, I totally passed by researching autos and just stuck to cpap. If only I knew then what I know now. )

Pam

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP, DME, auto, APAP