Suggestions for Second Machine??

[ziggytosh]

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago and am loving my Autoset II. I've recently started a new job with the government and will soon be posted to the Middle East. New job means new insurance, and new insurance means new chance to get a PAP for free. I'm thinking I should try to pick up a second machine as a backup before I go overseas. My inclination is to get a second Autoset II, since I like the one I've got, but I have a few questions for the forum:

1. Is anyone aware of a timeline for the "S9" being released? I'd hate to have a shiny new model come out a couple months from now and I couldn't get one for three years or whatever.
2. Any reasons why I should consider getting a different make and model for the backup machine? ... variety being the spice of life and all. Any machines that "travel" better for any reason than Resmeds?
3. I'd rather not go through the whole sleep study/titration business again. Once you've had a reliable diagnosis, can you usually get a family doctor to prescribe a second machine? Is that good enough for insurance companies? Anyone have experience with that?

Thanks

[bdp522]

First off, newer doesn't necessarily mean better.
My second machine is the Everest. I love the battery operation of this machine.
I think it's up to your insurance whether or not they will accept the old sleep study and rx or if they will require a new one. Post the insurance company and someone may be able to give you an answer.

Brenda

[yardbird]

Regular doctor can write a script that just says "Auto CPAP" and you're good to go. (I know because I've already had mine write that script)

If going to the Middle East, stock up on filters. It tends to be dustier over there... depends on where you're going in the Middle East. If you can be more specific I may be able to be less vague myself. I have some contacts over there.... mostly in Kuwait and Dubai.

If you really like what you have, you may just want to get another if you're looking at this as backup. Things like filters would then be interchangeable between machines.

If your machine is not battery capable, then forget about the above and get one that is. Again... depending on where you are, power can be intermittent. Battery with solar recharge works quite well.

[Mike@TibroMedical]

you've only had your machine for 6 months? cause that means the rental period is still in effect which means they just change who there billing. the only way to get 2 machine's is if the one you have now is no longer being paid for each month, Most Private ins cap it at 13 month. so if you've had that machine longer then a year you wont have any problems.

Oh and stick with Resmed. there comfort feature's like EPR can't even compare to respironics C-flex but resmed are built like tanks and run allot quieter and are easier to travel with.

[DreamStalker]

I was diagnosed about 6 months ago and am loving my Autoset II. I've recently started a new job with the government and will soon be posted to the Middle East. New job means new insurance, and new insurance means new chance to get a PAP for free. I'm thinking I should try to pick up a second machine as a backup before I go overseas. My inclination is to get a second Autoset II, since I like the one I've got, but I have a few questions for the forum:

1. Is anyone aware of a timeline for the "S9" being released? I'd hate to have a shiny new model come out a couple months from now and I couldn't get one for three years or whatever.
2. Any reasons why I should consider getting a different make and model for the backup machine? ... variety being the spice of life and all. Any machines that "travel" better for any reason than Resmeds?
3. I'd rather not go through the whole sleep study/titration business again. Once you've had a reliable diagnosis, can you usually get a family doctor to prescribe a second machine? Is that good enough for insurance companies? Anyone have experience with that?

Thanks

If you are using your machine in "APAP" mode, and you want to see how other APAP algorithms may work for you, you may want to try a different brand keeping in mind that you may need to get additional software for it (I have heard good thing about the P&B and Devilbis machines and I have an AFLEX machine and like it so there are 3 to choose from). If on the other hand you are happy using CPAP mode, then price and/or exhalation features (if you use them) may be the deciding factor.

[Lee Lee]

My back up is the Everest. It's great for power outages, and it's tiny, so it travels!

[Slinky]

The single most important issue is how long you've had your present APAP and whether it is paid for in full or if it is still under a rental agreement. If it is still under a rental agreement you might want to consider asking if you can pay off the rental out of pocket. (Then use a different DME supplier to get the new APAP).

[DoriC]

Can switching to a different brand adversely affect therapy? I read a lot about different algorithims affecting some people but don't quite understand it, so is that a factor?

[ziggytosh]

Thanks, as always, for the great replies.

Yes, my current APAP is fully paid off. Slinky and others alerted me to this potential problem before I quit my previous job and lost my old insurance. So I put in a request through the DME to get the whole thing paid off a few months into the rental agreement -- they said the rental/installment agreement is to mitigate the risk of the insurance having to pay for a machine that I don't end up using, but since I had already demonstrated compliance for a few months they would save money by paying the remainder off at once. I didn't think it worth mentioning that I would be dropping the insurance shortly. So anyway, the insurance paid a lump sum and I'm clear on the old machine. Sounds from people's replies here like a lot of insurance companies will accept a prescription from a regular family doctor, so I'll find one willing to prescribe and get that process moving.

I guess I'm leaning toward a second Autoset II, for the reasons others brought up in this thread -- it would simplify things in terms of sharing software and spare parts. A battery-enabled model does have its appeal though. I'll be in a country where dust shouldn't be too much of a problem, but I have every confidence the electrical system will be wholly unreliable. They're also on 220v there (when it's working), but I understand most of these machines are 100-240 and can just be plugged in with a converter. Anyway, I'll look into some of the battery solutions I've seen here on the forum because I will no doubt be needing to ride out some breaks in electrical service.