REMStar Auto not for home use?

SheilaB · Post by **SheilaB** » Tue May 17, 2005 7:38 pm

Hello,
I am newly diagnosed and looking for the best CPAP machine for my needs. I logged on and read all the helpful info and reviews here last night before contacting the health care equipment dealer my sleep clinic referred me to. The doctor that read my study wrote a prescription for a REMStar Plus with CFlex. From my reading here and at other sites I decided I wanted a REMStar Auto with Cflex--the one that has 4 modes--CPAP or Auto, Cflex or not. I also wanted to get the Comfort Curve mask. Below is the response I received from the equip. dealer when I asked about it.

"I just spoke with my Respironics sales rep. The Auto CFlex is recommended for clinical use only. This is a unit that a physician would order if he was unable to determine the pts CPAP pressure setting using the sleep study data. It is not recommended for pt use in the home other than for short term (2-3 weeks) to gather clinical data for the physician."

About the mask:

"My sales rep said that the new mask has just been released and he will come next week to provide training to my staff on how to properly assemble and fit the mask. According to him, there are a few ins and outs that he needs to review before we dispense to a patient."

I get the distinct feeling the doctors and equipment people here do not want me to be able to collect my own data (this is very important to me!)
What do you all think about the above--not for home??? Just for 2 - 3 weeks??

Thanks...........SheilaB

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue May 17, 2005 8:06 pm

in my humble opinion.....
horse puckey.

And people wonder how DME's get such a bad reputation?

Its easy.....they earn it.

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Tue May 17, 2005 8:28 pm

The Remstar Auto with C-Flex can sleep with me anytime. It has been sleeping with me for about 4 months and I love each and every night we spend together.

I couldn't chose a better bed partner, don't let my husband see that, but its true, it keeps me feeling great and able to get through another day without dying of exhaustion.

Don't back down, they are not the ones who are going to be using this equiptment. I have this machine and wouldn't trade it for the world. I had to do some complaining but eventually got my way!!

Sleeping with the Enemy

limpy · Post by **limpy** » Tue May 17, 2005 8:29 pm

We hear this all the time. It stems from the fact that DMEs get paid X for dispensing a CPAP. If they give you a Remstar Lite or a Remstar Auto they get the same amount of money. So the game is to see how cheap a machine they can give, as it directly increases profit margin.

Do your own thinking and your own buying. You'll be happy you did.

meister · Post by **meister** » Wed May 18, 2005 9:55 am

It will be a rare Doctor who will be willing to listen to you and work with
you to let you collect your own data. It appears that the "party line"
at most Sleep Clinics is that the patients should not see their own
data, as it would just confuse them. But since you are the best advocate
for your own health, you need to decide if you are willing to get educated
via this forum, and take an active role in your treatment. The DMEs in
my area, do NOT want any patients seeing their data either. My personal
experience has been like taking a trip back into the past to the 70s.
I heard things like "What's the Internet?". "What's an Auto?" "PAP
machines don't collect any data." etc. from highly trained and skilled
Sleep folks. The best one was about Dental Devices. "They are not
used to treat apnea/snoring. They are only for preventing grinding."
Ever hear of the TAP you highly trained, board-certified Sleep Doctor? "No".
Ever hear of the Pillar procedure? "No, what's that?" OK, I just paid
$345 to talk to you for 20 minutes, and you seem to know less that
I know.

SheilaB · Post by **SheilaB** » Wed May 18, 2005 7:47 pm

Thanks for the advice folks. I was able to reach a compromise with the DME dealer in my area. They simply refused to sell me an auto--I was willing to negotiate on that anyway. They did not want to sell me a REMstar Pro 2 with the software/recording capacity, I explained to the person in charge the importance of viewing my progress or lack thereof myself and keeping track of it. I almost lost it when the DME person asked me who would download all of that and help me with it!!! It took all my patience to calmly tell him I built my own computer so I think I can handle downloads. He agreed I could talk to his Respironics representative. The Rep did call me and I went through the whole thing with him again. He agreed to send a Pro-2 to the local DME dealer and to order me the Comfort Curve mask I wanted. He said if I thought I could work with the software and the smart card then I could buy one--of course my insurance company would not pay for that part.
Will keep you all informed on the continuing saga......thanks again for the advice from everyone.

limpy · Post by **limpy** » Wed May 18, 2005 8:50 pm

Make sure you know how much that cash software sale will set you back!

cpap.com is selling the Encore Pro with Card Reader for $199. Make sure you get fair market rate.

IWannaSleep · Post by **IWannaSleep** » Thu May 19, 2005 2:10 am

SheilaB wrote:... He said if I thought I could work with the software and the smart card then I could buy one--.

sheesh, they treat people like moronic children. I was wishing my insurance had DME coverage so the cost of the equipment was covered. But now I'm glad I purchased my own unit. Noone deserves to be treated that way.

ron.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Thu May 19, 2005 6:09 am

I thought my problems with the powerchair DME's were bad, but I am finding out they all are. Except for my former DME in Ohio.
One stop shopping there. Powerchairs, Sleep Apnea equipment, handicap accessible vans you name it and they have 24 hour service.
They would even call you back to see how the equipment was working after being repaired.

They took their lesson very well from the car dealership that started them.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Thu May 19, 2005 7:45 am

I put this in part of another thread, but it sure belongs here!

It's so nice to know what's going on! I can't imagine doing this blindly. It's strange, isn't it? The sleep docs/equipment providers are adamant that we should NOT have the information the software provides and we should NOT have the ability to adjust our own pressure. It seems almost negligent, doesn't it?

It's like, "Yes, there's a thermometer, but you are not allowed to use it to take your own temperature. Yes, there's an aspirin, but you are not allowed to take it to alleviate the symptoms."

Weird.

battlin_blazes · Post by **battlin_blazes** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:32 am

well neversleeps hit it right on the head my theory was its like having a cold getting an antibiotic starting to feel better and then having the dr say no you can't have that antibiotic!!! its working!! I hope the cpap works out better for you then it has me, I'm now on my third machine and ready to scream!! I think and I use that think part lightly that I will now end up back on the auto as its the only one that's given me any relief so far. I'm also on the remstar pro2 and it has been no help at all so three months later maybe I can get back on the apap and have my life back!! And if he's not willing to do that its time to find a different dr!!! best of luck!! its frustrating to say the least!!!

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Thu May 19, 2005 3:04 pm

Beware of the EVIL DME

Just say thank you and order online. Don't make another mistake by doing business with these people.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/97

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1440

Good luck.

SheilaB · Post by **SheilaB** » Thu May 19, 2005 8:32 pm

Thanks for all the help. I will be ordering anything my insurance doesn't cover--software, etc. online from CPAP.com. I just don't have the energy right now to deal with the insurance company myself and want them to pay for my first machine at least.

I received good news from my DME today--maybe they are coming around:

"We are here to help you in any way we can. The fact that you are so involved in your treatment is wonderful. "

I think that means they are going to help me get what I want. I told them not to worry about getting the Encore Pro--that I would order that online. They are still a little nervous about that I think.

Maybe we all will have to educate these DME's one at a time!

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:12 pm

I know we have to educate the DME's. Been there and done that.
I know that some times we even have to educate the doctors about what is wrong with us.

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Thu May 19, 2005 9:28 pm

Just wait until you get the bill for your share , The copay. You could probably have bought it outright online. These folks are slick. That $799 online price will be 3000 at the DME. Plus the hose, filter, And and here is the big joke. You wont get the clincian manual that tells you how to make adjustments. They will remove it and sell it on Ebay. LOL

REMStar Auto not for home use?

REMStar Auto not for home use?

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Re: REMstar autpo not for home use

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