Need help picking a CPAP machine

[jabman]

Hello everyone,

This Tuesday I go see the doc about my sleep study test. Even though I am not 100% sure that I will need a CPAP machine i went ahead and did some research to find one I think will fit me, I want to be prepared. I have narrowed it down to three machines and would like some input on what you people here think of these machines.

The features of these machine's are very similar. I am leaning towards one machine but will not say which one it is. Yuor input will be greatly appreciated, Thank you.
The machines are as followes


PR System One REMstar pro C-Flex,

Sandman Info HC CPAP

S8 Elite II

[cflame1]

only comment that I've got is that the PR and the S8... both have exhale relief, so if your pressure requirements are over about 6/7 you might want to consider that.

Any reason why the S8 and not an S9?

[soldesiii]

Hello

All the CPAP machines that you have been looking at are very capable of providing you with succesfull therapy. In the technology sector, there is always ongoing improvements to already excellent pieces of equipment; and the progress continues. In my opinion, the approach to selecting CPAP machines should be the same as when you are buying TV's, Cameras, or Computers: Buy the very best and latest technology, with the understanding that technological advances are constantly happening, and in a few years that very machine my be the technology of yesterday. The Models that you mentioned, are very capable and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. But, there is a reason the Resmed S 9 has gotten rave reviews, and is recomended by most everyone that has used it, and by all of my Pulmunology friends. I have been on CPAP for a month now, and from day one with this machine, my AHI's were 0.4 to 0.0; and never looked back. And NO, I'm not a rep., and have no afiliation with any Company nor DME. Obviously, if your needs require a specific model of CPAP machine, then just follow your Doc's recomendation. Just my 2 centavos (cents).

[jabman]

Thank you both for your replies.

Any reason why the S8 and not an S9?

Actually I will try for the S9 (if I go with that brand) but I,m not sure that my ins. will cover that one.

[Slinky]

I know of absolutely no reason WHY your INSURANCE wouldn't pay for the Resmed S9 Elite - but its not difficult to figure out WHY your local DME provider would TELL you that your insurance won't pay for the S9 Elite. (They still have some S8 Elites in stock and want to move them out first).

Local DME providers have notorious reputations for being more concerned w/their own bottom line than w/any concern for their clients. Don't misunderstand, there ARE good local DME providers out there - but there are far, far too many who are "less than desirable". I would venture a guess that the majority of those who end up in these apnea support forums are here BECAUSE they encountered the "less than desirable" local DME provider.

One of the best things an OSA patient can do for themselves is to call their insurance company and ask their insurance company what local DME providers they are contracted with and then shop each of those local DME providers to find one that has a lenient mask policy, an RRT readily available to the client and that the client is comfortable with.

Also keep in mind that local DME providers usually buy their PAP equipment in bulk to get a better price and then that particular brand is the brand they prefer to provide and they are more willing to bargain/negotiate w/their clients for models w/in that brand. The brand they "prefer" can often change w/the bulk price "offers" the manufacturer Reps are willing to negotiate w/them.

[jdm2857]

Also remember that insurance companies pay by billing code, and not by brand, model, or price. The DME gets the exact same amount for any CPAP or APAP (they have the same billing code.) So the insurance company has no reason to allow or disallow specific machines. But because the DME pays different amounts for different machines they have motivation to provide you with the least expensive machine they can find. And the DMEs tend to cite nonexistent insurance company rules to get patients to accept the machine they want to provide. Hence all of the posts here from people with compliance-data-only machines.

[jabman]

I have already talked to my Insurance company about buying the machine I want they said as long as it has a specific billing code I can. I have checked online for the machine's I am looking at and they have that billing code but I didn't see it for the S9. I also asked what Dme's they contract with, I got the feeling the list was pretty long because she told me to check online and then go to their site and see what places have Cpap machines or something like that. I will have to recall them on that.

[Slinky]

There are currently only HCPCS code e0601 Resmed S9s available. That would be the S9 Elite and the S9 AutoSet. I haven't seen that they are even making an S9 Escape or S9 Compact and even if they did you would NOT want them as the Compact and Escape models have never been fully data capable. The S9 VPAP and VPAP Auto (different HCPCS code) are not yet available altho the Resmed Rep assurred me they would be introduced later this year (that was in March).

[liv2kite]

There are currently only HCPCS code e0601 Resmed S9s available. That would be the S9 Elite and the S9 AutoSet. I haven't seen that they are even making an S9 Escape or S9 Compact and even if they did you would NOT want them as the Compact and Escape models have never been fully data capable. The S9 VPAP and VPAP Auto (different HCPCS code) are not yet available altho the Resmed Rep assurred me they would be introduced later this year (that was in March).

1) Can Resmed Humaire 5i reservoir be opened up for cleaning ? Is it diswasher safe (but how would dishwasher work if it did not come apart ?)
2) On S9 (Elite or Auto), can you (patient) get access to detailed clinical data through your data link or card or is the data you obtain on the display sufficient

[jabman]

Slinky,thank you that is very helpful as that is the code that I was given.

[jdm2857]

That same code applies to every CPAP and APAP.

Insurance treats them all the same.

[Slinky]

You might want to check out the Fisher & Paykel Icon Primo, it is a new and fully data capable CPAP.

Unless you are considering buying from an online DME provider, keep in mind that the local DME providers tend to buy their PAPs in bulk amounts to get the best price and therefore will be more willing to bargain/negotiate/upgrade if you are willing to accept the brand they prefer to provide.

[WilsonVilleUSA]

There are currently only HCPCS code e0601 Resmed S9s available. That would be the S9 Elite and the S9 AutoSet. I haven't seen that they are even making an S9 Escape or S9 Compact and even if they did you would NOT want them as the Compact and Escape models have never been fully data capable. The S9 VPAP and VPAP Auto (different HCPCS code) are not yet available altho the Resmed Rep assurred me they would be introduced later this year (that was in March).

1) Can Resmed Humaire 5i reservoir be opened up for cleaning ? Is it diswasher safe (but how would dishwasher work if it did not come apart ?)
2) On S9 (Elite or Auto), can you (patient) get access to detailed clinical data through your data link or card or is the data you obtain on the display sufficient

In the US the standard H5i reservoir does not open. They sell one that does and is dishwasher safe as an accessory. Seems silly to me, but the idea is evidently to sell replaceable/consumable items.

S9 models use a standard SD card for data and the info is readily available for review. Software is readily available (search S9 software in this forum for info)

As others stated, there is only one code for CPAR/APAP - E0601. Once you decide on a machine, ask your doc to write the script for that SPECIFIC machine. This makes it more difficult for DME to steer you to a different machine. Also ask doc for AUTO machine to protect against changes in therapy. An APAP can work in a constant pressure mode, but a CPAP can't do auto. Same code, minimal cost difference but if you have to buy new machine 6 months down the road, you are paying your out of pocket costs a second time (assuming insurance even allows a second machine).

I am using an S9 AutoSet and think it is a great machine. Let us know how it works out and what you end up with!