Trying to decide on unit

[Artcarved]

I had my stay for sleep evaluation at a local hospital in February and a follow up for the titration. I had 73 incidents. I have Av-Med Medicare and they
have a contract with a particular DME company which rents you a machine for 10 months and carries only one manufacturers unit. I had not heard of the company, and I don't remember the name. Anyway, I want to purchase either a Res-Med Auto w/humidifier or a Fisher Payktel Auto w/humidifier.
My contemplation is whether to purchase on line or from a DME firm. I don't know if a DME firm will sell to someone who wants to purchase directly.
I plan to call around tomorrow. When I used the Cpap at the hospital I felt great the next day and was full of energy. At the hospital they had a Respironic
unit and a Fisher Payktel nose mask. Has any one had a good experience with a particular site?

I can submit a form for 80% reimbursement. My husband is bugging me to get a unit already.

[Hawthorne]

You can buy online but you have to have a prescription from the doctor. It should say what your titrated pressure is.

It's good to get an Auto Machine if you can and the various manufacturers each have an auto model. Cpap.com, the online cpap retailer that sponsers this forum is a good site. You should check out the machines and masks they have and read the Customer Reviews.

[Pugsy]

Is your Medicare AvMed a HMO or PPO plan? Your policy coverage explanations should clarify this.
PPO plans usually allow members to go out of network which would open up access to other DMEs in your area. Might have a little more out of pocket expense out of network but worth checking it out. PPO might even allow online purchase reimbursement.

DMEs will sell to individual with RX and not involve insurances but prices are typically much higher than online prices. As long as you have the RX, they will supply what you ask for because it means more money for them if insurance is not involved.

Cpap.com who sponsors this forum is an excellent source for online equipment. Many members here have used them and are quite satisfied. They will supply a form for insurance reimbursement but whether your particular insurance policy and company allows online suppliers to be out of network providers is going to be up to the insurance company. Medicare Advantage Plans like the AVMed contracts are a whole different entity and normal rules don't always apply.

Given a choice between F& P auto and the ResMed S9 Autoset, I would suggest the Resmed. Software is easier to get and is more comprehensive and easier to understand. Onscreen data on the Resmed is also more comprehensive.

Finally just because you might end up getting a machine online doesn't mean that you can't use DME for masks and other supplies. DME does come in handy especially for mask trial..

I did go to the AVMed website to try to see if they were HMO or PPO Medicare Advantage but I couldn't tell from information on the website and to dig deeper I would have to fill out the request and consent to phone call....didn't want to do that but it appears that they may offer both HMO contracts and PPO plans. PPO plans are much less restrictive when it comes to out of network stuff.

[Mary Z]

Just make sure you get a data capable machine, preferabley one with software.
Good luck and happy shopping.

[Guest]

WOW!!! The response was quick. My plan is an HMO. I will be purchasing myself, not through the insurance. I called and they said they would reimburse me 80%. The plans 2011 manual does not say that I have to purchase through their contract supplier. I had to argue this point. They have been very good about other issues, its just getting to the right person. I do have a prescription. The setting is 8, but I do plan on an automatic. I have had the Res-Med on my mind for some time so will go that way. Thank you all.

[Pugsy]

When you get your machine let us know. Software is easily found and there is even a tutorial on how to use it.
ResMed S9 Autoset is great machine. You will be pleased.

Link to tutorial while I am thinking about it.

http://montfordhouse.com/cpap/resscan_tutorial/

If you buy online the clinician manual should be included. If not it is available at same place the software is.
Check out forum member Uncle_Bob and look in his signature for those items.