New PR machines coming next year...

[Paul B]

I was at my sleep center yesterday getting diagnosed for a Series 60 Bipap Auto to replace my Series 50 model which died on me after 4 years and the RT told me to expect a newer family from Resperonics next year with similar functionality to existing Series 60 models but with an included wireless modem to be able to download overnight findings. Medicare requires the info for tracking patients for the first 90 days, according to her. Of course, the wireless modem would also allow PR to download firmware upgrades but there's no telling if they'll enable that capability.

[Wulfman...]

I was at my sleep center yesterday getting diagnosed for a Series 60 Bipap Auto to replace my Series 50 model which died on me after 4 years and the RT told me to expect a newer family from Resperonics next year with similar functionality to existing Series 60 models but with an included wireless modem to be able to download overnight findings. Medicare requires the info for tracking patients for the first 90 days, according to her. Of course, the wireless modem would also allow PR to download firmware upgrades but there's no telling if they'll enable that capability.

"He knows if you've been sleeping, he knows if you're awake. He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake."

Now, besides SC, the NSA will know, too. (but, it's unlikely that the DMEs will be checking very often......just when they want to collect some money from the insurance providers for "compliance")

They've already had the "modem thing" for some time now. So, that's not entirely "new".


Den

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[Tatooed Lady]

Yep. I have the wireless modem on my 560. It came as part of my required package. There's a plastic panel clip around the sd card slot that clips in and out...that covers and protects the modem port. Unless it's an internal modem, nothing new there. Maybe your doc has never dealt with them?
Heads up...when the DME collects info from the unit, they can see AND CHANGE the prescription. They did this to me once. I called and yelled that if it happened ONE MORE TIME, I would remove the modem and find an alternate way to get info to them. Their change was a system thing, apparently...based on my listed scrip.

[Sleepysuz]

My DME was supposed to change my settings remotely when I first started out. That's the way the doctor set it up. She ordered a change and they never did it. Thanks to this site I figured out how to make the changes myself. That wierded me out that they could push buttons that would impact my breathing and I might not know it

[Pugsy]

I think that the next Respironics new machines will likely come with a built in modem similar to what the ResMed new AirSense models have. No more need for the clip on modem that is usually returned to the DME.
Medicare doesn't require a full 90 days of therapy data...they only require and the machine be used for at least 4 hours a night for 70% of the nights out of 30 days consecutive use.
The 90 day requirement thing is that for Medicare there must be a face to face interview with a doctor (doesn't have to be sleep doctor though) sometime between the first 30 and 90 days of use where the doc can state that the 70% compliance use has been met and the therapy seems to be working...either verified by AHI data or the person says they are feeling a lot better. Sometimes it's a combination of the DME compliance report and the doctor visit (some docs don't have the software to print out a report) which satisfies that 90 day thing.
Medicare just want so make sure that you are using what they are paying for.
I have heard that there is also a 1 year thing but I haven't seen it in actual Medicare documents...it's all be coming from "My DME says I have to do this once a year or my doctor says....." but I have yet to see it in the actual Medicare requirements. I have seen the above 70% and face to face by the end of 90 days in Medicare documents but have NOT seen any additional yearly requirements. People tell me that DME or my doctor "says" but when I ask for Medicare proof no one can provide it.
BTW...I have Medicare...it's been 5 years and not once has my DME requested anything else from me regarding my cpap therapy or use for me to get my 1 per 6 month mask or any replacement items.

[Paralel]

Blasted built in modems. I am def. glad to get the last model (560) without one in it.

[palerider]

Blasted built in modems. I am def. glad to get the last model (560) without one in it.

*shrug* who cares? they can be disabled, they have to be able to be disabled, since the machines are designed to work on airplanes, and most don't allow cell phones.

[Paralel]

What can I say? I'm a paranoid. I'd like to know what kind of security they have, etc...

I generally distrust devices that can be used to "tattle" on me.

[chunkyfrog]

They can't tell if you are sleeping unless they put EEG sensors in the headband.
Considering what they are willing to put into a mask, that would be a long way off.

[Tatooed Lady]

*shrug* who cares? they can be disabled, they have to be able to be disabled, since the machines are designed to work on airplanes, and most don't allow cell phones.

So you're saying that your machine would have a little tinfoil cap to match the one you wear when the Mothership flies overhead? This I'd like to see.

[chunkyfrog]

The tinfoil cap is invisible--freaky, huh?

[palerider]

*shrug* who cares? they can be disabled, they have to be able to be disabled, since the machines are designed to work on airplanes, and most don't allow cell phones.

So you're saying that your machine would have a little tinfoil cap to match the one you wear when the Mothership flies overhead? This I'd like to see.

as long as nobody is dorking with my settings (the way they did to yours) I don't really give a crap if they're reading my usage. not that I've got anybody to read mine, (heh).

there are always ways to prevent things like that, unless it's some mandatory 'cloud based' service where the machine has to be connected to 'home base' to function, but then, I don't know how well that would work, for people with no interent, (yes, I've heard they exist still!) or in areas with iffy cell reception, etc.... so it's likely to be an optional 'feature' for the forseable future, and being optional, it can be turned off, or defeated. (open it up and disconnect the internal antenna, for instance)

[palerider]

Mothership flies overhead? This I'd like to see.

there's a *REASON* pugsy's aliens haven't been able to find me yet!!! *furtive glances*

[Paralel]

The tinfoil cap is invisible--freaky, huh?

If it's aluminum foil, then its transparent aluminum foil. You wouldn't happen to know a "Professor Scott" would you?