Can they take my CPAP MACHINE AWAY???

[Pugsy]

I've been having issues with my s9 because of my sleep schedule. The machine changes days at noon, but I am a day sleeper, so typically half my "night" shows up on the next day's figures

That's easy to remedy. There is a clock on the S9 and you can change it so your "day" begins at Midnight if you wish so that all your sleep hours are in one grouping.
It is in the clinical menu. The default "new day" is for 12 noon but for day sleepers this really messes up the data. Just change your actual time so it is off by 12 hours and your reports will consolidate.
How to get to clinical menu instructions if you don't know how.
http://www.apneaboard.com/resmed-s9-cpap-setup

[zoocrewphoto]

I changed my clock so that it thinks noon is at 4pm. Most days, I get up at 1pm. On my days off, I usually sleep until 2 or 3pm. Rarely past 4pm. So, it works for me. I have a chart that shows me the conversion easily. When I look at data, I can check the chart to see what time it really is without having to rethink it all the time.

[renatae]

Thanks for the suggestions! I have actually thought of doing this - just didn't want to mess around mid-month, didn't know if someone would notice and complain. (I have a modem attached to my unit so they can download data whenever they want, both the Dr. and the DME.)

I do know how to do it, and I think after my doctor appointment I will change it. It's already off by an hour as it is, which worked to my advantage.

[archangle]

To make things even worse, PRS1 machines generate a "compliance VIC" number that is supposed to be a "compliance check," but unless the DME is smart and careful, the results are WRONG! "Smart," "careful," and "DME" should never be used in the same sentence. Luckily, not a lot of DMEs use the compliance VIC.

[lisacaice]

I got a new Resmed S9 and the provider read the data. Despite trying very hard to comply, my numbers fell short (but not too short) of compliance numbers (they downloaded the data from my machine) and I got no warning. I've been struggling with the headgear, too, which the company knew about.

The provider is picking up the machine TOMORROW. My doc's office and medicare both said the same thing.

I was told by Medicare that if I want the machine I can buy it. Does anyone know of a rental company for CPAP machines I can get in the interim because this mess is going to take a while to resolve. Or maybe there's another solution?

Thanks

I would get a lawyer and Sue your doctor and your DME. I am going to if they take mine away from me. I am going through the same thing and Iknow I wasn't compliant the first month and I tired like h***! The DME wouldn't even return my calls. I wasn't told that I could replace my mask in 30 days and I had such a struggle in the beginning and couldn't get help from them. That's what they are there for and they still get their pay checks from the Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.... I'll get such an uproar going they won't know what the h*** hit them. I am so sorry this is happening to you, but really we all need to fight together so this doesn't keep happening.

Some of us take longer getting used to the machine and that came from my first doctor. I have heard it takes as long as 6 months to get used to. Some of us are sick and can't make it through a whole night without sleep and the DME's don't tell you about all the products that can help you get through the night and that's BS! I promise no mater if they take mine or not I'm going to sue anyway just for causing me all the stress that could have been avoided with better care and guidance.

I thought it was the whole three months like you did but apparently it's not?? Why torture us for the whole three months then? (I can hear the DME's response already)...So what if you have to be compliant the whole three months..IF we don't comply the first month why tell us our data cards are corrupt and make us keep struggling anyway? So we can get you used to it and they make a sale when we are desperate? Not to mention If we keep it the whole three months they get the money for the rental! BS! they are not going to benefit from my suffering and you shouldn't let your DME either.They also make money on the original purchase when they resale it!! ...You and everyone else should know that. IT's a SCAM and it's unfair business practice!!! I know If they take mine I won't be able to afford a machine on my own but I'm a fighter and a loud one at that and I guarantee they will be making it right for me!!!

You probably can't touch Medicare, but you can sue the DME, and they need to be sued so they will start providing the care they are claiming to provide to all these insurance companies and government entities. They are violating our patient rights!!!

They log their hours claiming that they spent time with you fitting your mask educating you and making sure you know how to use it. Making sure you know all the rules and what to do and by god they need to do what they claim they are doing!!! I am so mad I am going to call my DME in the morning and ask him to tell me what the deal is with my corrupt data card and then i'm calling my lawyer and my insurance company and let them know what the DME is doing and maybe the news station too?!?!

I hope you can get a new machine. I do know of a place that gives them away but it depends on the area you live in. Awake in America offers a coverage program called the Sleep Study Relief program for those in need.

Read more: How Can I Get a Free CPAP Machine? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/way_5970149_can-cpa ... z2EFjAqOvT

This is a discounted sales website for machines and supplies.
http://www.secondwindcpap.com



Good luck

[birdygirl38]

Reading this thread I am glad that I opted to fight to buy the machine outright. I was at year end and at my deductible and nearly at my out of pocket max so that would mean that I would pay only what was left of my out of pocket to get the machine outright. I don't believe that if I have purchased the machine they could take it away. Thankfully I am having no problem with compliance, wearing it every night for at least 5 hours most nights with an AHI of 2 or lower most nights. I am so thankful that I am not having any issues with using it and have been sleeping so much better, energy is returning and the big black circles under my eyes are fading in less than 30 days. Woohoo. To think the doctor put me on depression and anxiety drugs 2 years ago when I first complained of persistent tiredness and anxiety attacks even after losing 40 pounds makes me a angry. If I had gone for sleep studies and on CPAP back then perhaps I would have avoided the drugs and feeling like I needed to take them to get through the anxiety attacks. I retired from a 25 year career in IT, due to what I thought was stress related anxiety, perhaps it was anxiety and stress due to non-restorative and constantly interrupted sleep. Who knows, but I think I made a good decision anyway as I love my new business and feel like I am getting control of my life and health with the right amount of time to put into fighting the doctors to get what I need. I hope you get a good resolution to your machine compliance and removal issue. Keep us posted.

[renatae]

Saw my doctor today, and it was a good thing I printed out that Sleepyhead report. The DME had called me with an automated call in the morning saying that if I had a modem, I did not need to send in my SD card. The recording went on to ask how many days a week I used my machine, how many hours I averaged per night, and whether I had any questions.

They had earlier told me my Dr. could download the stats any time. However, my doctor was unaware of how to do that and said her techs probably could not, either. (They use Respironics, not ResMed machines, which is why I have another DME.) So, the only results available were those which I carried in from my Sleepyhead report. Sleepyhead showed me above compliance and when I asked if the surveillance needed to continue, she said no, as far as she was concerned my 30 day compliance period was fulfilled. That's a relief to me; I found all of that so stressful when my machine's data didn't seem to add up, and even more so when I saw the earlier post from Ellen about her DME claiming she was not in compliance when she most certainly was.

All that remains to be seen is whether my DME will be giving me any hassle.

[chunkyfrog]

If the DME wants to be a poopyface; FIRE them.
There is plenty of competition unless you are the captive of an HMO. HMO's should be outlawed.
I suffered for many years with unresolved medical issues until I finally got a better career and REAL health insurance.

[renatae]

Thanks, chunkyfrog! They actually have been very good - gave me no hassle about getting me the exact machine I wanted, told me all would be paid for via my Medicare and Medigap policy, and about a week after my doctor visit, contacted me to inform me that I was in compliance, they'd send a report certifying that to my doctor, and I could take off that dratted modem and return it. I removed that baby as soon as I got off the phone! Still waiting for their return box to arrive to ship it back to them. I've been very happy with this DME, overall they have been very helpful.