RT is calling me Friday

[quiltweaver]

Would it do any good to complain to her the machine I use only shows how much I am using it? Any chance to upgrade based on saying I think it would make more sense to have a machine that tells me how I am doing? Today I have had the Remstar plus for 1 week. I know it depends on the doc and my insurance, but it seems ridiculous to issue a machine that only shows 'big brother' you are using it. May not have any recourse. Wish I had found this forum before getting the dang thing. Maybe I could have been more aggressive about saying what I wanted. Appreciate the advice found here. Newbies, listen up! See what you can do to get the right thing in the first place.

[Julie]

You don't have to complain about compliance being the only stat seen - they're well aware of it and don't care because it's all they need to keep the insce. company happy (= paying the shot). If you want a data capable machine you need a script from your MD for it, and assurance from your insce. co. that they'll pay, so it might be a good idea to check into those.

[rested gal]

quiltweaver, if your insurance gives you choices of several DME stores they will work with, you have a VERY good chance of getting rid of the Plus machine in favor of a Pro machine that would give you more data.

When you're still in your first month of rental, another DME would be more than happy to take you on as a new customer. You have that trump up your sleeve. I'd check with your insurance to get the names of all the DMEs that are "in network" with your insurance. Then start calling those DMEs, asking this:

"I've just finished a sleep study and have been prescribed CPAP. The DME I was referred to wants to give me a Respironics M series Plus machine. However, I want the M series Pro...not the Plus. If I become your customer instead, would you be able to give me a Pro instead of a Plus?"

If you find yourself armed with some "Sure, we'll give you a Pro" answers, waltz in to your DME, explain that you'd like to swap the Plus CPAP for a Pro CPAP. If they balk, tell them you've checked with some other local DMEs who are willing to give you the Pro. Smile and say, "I'd really like to continue being your customer... could you check in the back to see if you have a Pro machine you can swap for this Plus?" That's if you do want to stick with your present DME...gives the employee a chance to go to the manager and explain that they're about to lose you as a customer if you don't get a Pro machine. They're likely to come out from the back with a spiffy new Pro for you, rather than lose you entirely. Take the Plus with you, so you can leave it on their counter, either way.

Your present prescription for "CPAP" can be filled by giving you either of those two machines. You don't need a new Rx from your doctor.