Unplug that modem

[archangle]

Just a warning to unplug the phone line from the modem on your CPAP if you're not using it. A phone line plus an AC electrical connection greatly increases your chance of getting damage from a power surge.

Not only does the phone line give you another path for a power surge, the phone line vs. the power line can make the surge damage worse.

If there's lightning in the area, it would be a good idea to unplug the phone line until the storm passes, even if you continue to run the CPAP machine.

For those who have CPAP machines with modems, how are they used?

Do you leave it connected all of the time, or do you only plug it in when asked?

Does it start up automatically, or do you have to do something?

Does it call out automatically, or do they call you?

Every night, once a month, etc.?

[archangle]

Do they usually take back the modem after a few months when you've met the insurance compliance requirements?

[DougVK]

Do they usually take back the modem after a few months when you've met the insurance compliance requirements?

Just wondering what is the mondem for. My CPAP has no modem.

[cflame1]

the modem allows the DME to at minimum get data from your machine without you bringing/mailing your SD/smart card.

[chunkyfrog]

Modem = phone data connection --usually for compliance confirmation--as ordered by insurance/Medicare, etc.
Don't know, but maybe only on some machines. Lucky if you don't know--it means you are not being micromanaged.
To Archangle: If they want it back, they'll ask for it. Just don't sell it--they probably think it belongs to them.

[Sparky223]

There are some pretty good surge suppressors that will protect your phone line as well. Most electronics store will carry them.

[archangle]

There are some pretty good surge suppressors that will protect your phone line as well. Most electronics store will carry them.

Yes, but you're still better off with the phone line unplugged, even if you have a phone/power surge protector. If there's a storm in the area, it's easy to unplug the phone and still CPAP.

And if you still have a modem, but aren't being monitored any more, it's a good idea to unplug the phone line.

[GumbyCT]

There are some pretty good surge suppressors that will protect your phone line as well. Most electronics store will carry them.

Yes, but you're still better off with the phone line unplugged, even if you have a phone/power surge protector. If there's a storm in the area, it's easy to unplug the phone and still CPAP.

And if you still have a modem, but aren't being monitored any more, it's a good idea to unplug the phone line.

I would be more worried about lightning over the phone wires than the power lines. Most of the ones I've seen for phones are el'cheapos and prob more a placebo.

[archangle]

I've seen an awful lot of computer modems blown out over the years. Often with no apparent damage to the computer, so apparently, they're often built to die quietly without killing the computer in many circumstances.

By the way, the same cautions apply to the computer as well. If you don't use dialup anymore, unplug the phone connection from the modem and only plug it in when you need it.

[napstress]

For those who have CPAP machines with modems, how are they used?

Do you leave it connected all of the time, or do you only plug it in when asked?

Does it start up automatically, or do you have to do something?

Does it call out automatically, or do they call you?

Every night, once a month, etc.?

Do they usually take back the modem after a few months when you've met the insurance compliance requirements?

The RT at Apria told me to leave the modem in. I don't do anything. I believe it sends my data along to their computers every night. He gave me a box to mail the modem back to them once they no longer need to track my compliance. It's kind of creepy knowing that information about me occurring when I'm unconscious is being beamed up to a satellite and then down to some office somewhere. But it was also pretty comforting: before I gained access to the data on my SD card, I knew if something freaky happened I could call a RT and say, "What happened last night?!?!"

[archangle]

The RT at Apria told me to leave the modem in. I don't do anything. I believe it sends my data along to their computers every night. He gave me a box to mail the modem back to them once they no longer need to track my compliance. It's kind of creepy knowing that information about me occurring when I'm unconscious is being beamed up to a satellite and then down to some office somewhere. But it was also pretty comforting: before I gained access to the data on my SD card, I knew if something freaky happened I could call a RT and say, "What happened last night?!?!"

Do you plug a phone line into the modem, or is there some kind of wireless connection?

Where does the modem fit on the PRS1 machine?

[Mary Z]

The only modems I have seen are for ResMed machines and are wireless modems.

[archangle]

The only modems I have seen are for ResMed machines and are wireless modems.

Do you plug a separate device into the phone line in your home, or are they some sort of device that connects to the cell phone network?

[napstress]

Do you plug a phone line into the modem, or is there some kind of wireless connection?

Where does the modem fit on the PRS1 machine?

Do you plug a separate device into the phone line in your home, or are they some sort of device that connects to the cell phone network?

I do not plug a phone line into the modem. I do for my computer, but not my CPAP machine. The only connectors I have run from the outlet to the power box, and from the power box to the machine. I'm not entirely sure, but I think the modem is the 1" X 4" X 1/2" piece I remove from the back of my machine when I go to remove my SD card. I remove that piece by pinching its sides. If I put it back incorrectly, the SD card pops out. There is a 2" tall, 1/4" in diameter black, rubber-coated cylindrical piece attached to that piece. It looks like a lever, but I don't think it behaves like one. I hesitate to try to move it for fear of breaking it. Maybe it's an antenna?

[Breathe Jimbo]

It's kind of creepy knowing that information about me occurring when I'm unconscious is being beamed up to a satellite and then down to some office somewhere."

That could be a pretty good alibi.