New: Should I skip the DME

Sleepy Dog Lover · Post by **Sleepy Dog Lover** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:04 pm

[quote="Wulfman"]

There will also be another smart card that will come with the software.

Best wishes,

Den

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu May 11, 2006 8:51 pm

SDL,

Did it come in a blue "box" that looks like the picture below your post? The one I have has velcro fasteners that hold the thing shut. In the left-hand (cover side) there should be a little folder in a slot that says "Encore Pro Smartcard". Inside that little folder, there should be a little pocket that contains the card. There also should be a "pocket" (slot) on the left-hand side that contains some other pamphlets. On the right-hand side of the "box" is a container in a rectangle depression that has the software CD.

I can't imagine that they would have stopped packing a card with it.

Den

Sleepy Dog Lover · Post by **Sleepy Dog Lover** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:08 pm

Yes, I got the blue box like the one on my software icon. The box has tape closures and the tape seemed loose. I went back and checked the box that it came in, the packing in the bag, and the ziplock that the software came in. No smartcard. I'll give cpap.com a call tomorrow and see if it was supposed to come with the software. Thanks!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:11 pm

Sleepy Dog Lover wrote:Yes, I got the blue box like the one on my software icon. The box has tape closures and the tape seemed loose. I went back and checked the box that it came in, the packing in the bag, and the ziplock that the software came in. No smartcard. I'll give cpap.com a call tomorrow and see if it was supposed to come with the software. Thanks!

OK.

Den

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:26 pm

Sleepy Dog Lover wrote: Den, I just got my software, and did not get another card with the software, just got the one with the machine. It is the latest version of Encore Pro, 1.6i. Do you think this is an error, or did they maybe stop packing it with the software? Thanks in advance

When I ordered the software, I did not receive a smartcard. I emailed them and told them where I saw (on their website) that the smartcard was included. They IMMEDIATELY sent me a smartcard.

If you ordered from cpap.com, here is the link that shows the smartcard (in the photos at the bottom of the page):
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... eader.html

Moogy

Sleepy Dog Lover · Post by **Sleepy Dog Lover** » Fri May 12, 2006 5:37 am

Thanks Moogy,
I think that they may have changed the description, I see the smart card reader mentioned, but not the smart card itself.

If you want to download data from any Respironics machine with a smart card, this is the package that will get the job done. Includes version 1.6i Encore Pro Software and a smart card reader. The reader has a Universal Serial Bus Connector.

Tn-Ken · Post by **Tn-Ken** » Fri May 12, 2006 5:39 am

just fyi - my smart card came with the machine - not the reader.

ciao,
Ken

Sleepy Dog Lover · Post by **Sleepy Dog Lover** » Fri May 12, 2006 5:42 am

I got one with the machine, but Den and Moogy are saying they got an additional card with the software. I think they might have changed something in the package.

SlidellSand · Post by **SlidellSand** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:30 pm

Not all DMEs are bad. Mine called me to set up an appointment on the same day the doctor called with my results from the sleep study. Two days later a respiratory therapist showed up with a RemStar Pro with cflex, heated humidifier, mask, hose, filter. She went over everything, answered my questions, and said if I didn't like the
mask I could try any others they had for the first month. I've been through four masks,
so far I like the CL2 the best. I wanted to try an Activa, they didn't have one in stock so they ordered it and are having it sent directly to my house. The total cost was around $800, my insurance had me pay $158.

I can't say enough about how helpful these people have been. BTW the company is Health Management Services, Inc., in Metairie, Louisiana

Sleepy Dog Lover · Post by **Sleepy Dog Lover** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:37 pm

OK, I called cpap.com, and the software no longer comes with a reader. I found a link on the software item that says it comes with a card, but it also is talking about version 1.4 of Encore Pro, and it links to this site, not cpap.com. Not complaining, just wanted everybody to know.

txtornado · Post by **txtornado** » Fri May 12, 2006 2:41 pm

do ya think that i can use my fexible spending account $$$ for this, as it is medical expense not covered by insurance.

Yes, it should. I used my FSA to pay for my whole set-up because my insurance does not cover anything related to treatment of sleep disorders. My purchase included a download cable and the whole amount was approved by the FSA administrator with no questions. All I sent them for documentation was the receipt from cpap.com and on my claim form I listed the purchase as durable medical equipment. Good luck!

jonboy117 - guest · Post by **jonboy117 - guest** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:26 pm

First give them a call & try to get the exact device you want from them. In my case I would have paid $300 more to purchase myself at CPAP.COM. The DME said he could get me the low end version of what I wanted, so I figured by the time I got the face mask, tubing, and correct humidifier, I would be OK even if I came back and bought the CPAP I wanted.

Then the DME shows up with a totally different brand! I should have told him to go back to whence he came! Back back you cheap rip-off demon!

But I took the thing & now regret it. If you can get what you want, go for it. But if they show up with something different, don't take any promise, don't try it for a little while, but throw the sucker out!

I find that both my regular DOC & DME know less than what you can learn here. Neither is very concerned with my comfort. It's about crazy to pay $3500 for a sleep study & save $200-$300 on the cheapest equipment.

So be very very suspicious of salesmen carrying CPAP machines.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri May 12, 2006 6:00 pm

dllfo wrote:Quick one...Apria sold me the auto Bipap and I love it. But no smart card.
I read the owner's manual and it says it should have one in it.

Where is mine? Does Respironics sell them without the smart cards? Should
I call Apria and ask them about it?

I asked their rep and he said this model didn't come with it. I didn't know
any better, so I said ok.

If Tricare paid for it, I want it. How important is it?

If the sealed box says it has one in the kit, and when we opened the auto
bipap box, the smart card is not in it?????? Any ideas?
Thanks......

_________________

another example of being RIPPED off and lied to by a local DME. If it has a slot, the machine came with a SmartCard.

Note: The machine will NOT record compliance details without that SmartCard in the slot. So if you need to PROVE compliance down the road for any reason like insurance payment compliance, life insurance, DMV etc. your outta luck.

I'd call back that ripoff DME where you got the machine and demand the SmartCard that came with it. If they don't comply, I'd send a letter to both them and Apria and your doctor of the fact I would nail that DME for outright lying to you. Since you mention both DME and Apria, I'd have to guess they are one in the same, in Southpark talk, those cheap b*&^#$ds

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