Update from previous post on doctor visit

I found out that I do not have to go back to the doctor monthly (as quoted by the receptionist in the doctor's office) in order for my insurance to pay for sleep apnea equipment, etc. I had my appointment rescheduled. When I returned home from work yesterday I had a message to call my DME. I returned the call. She was inquiring about how I was doing. I told her about what the receptionisist had told me and she said that that was absolutely not true.

I asked the DME if I had to take my machine to the doctor's office to read my stats and she said "no" that in about 60 days she would send me an envelope to send her my card for them to read at the office.

Can anyone tell me where I can get a card reader for my machine? When I get the card reader I will need some instructions for downloading, etc. Does the card reader plug into a USB port on the computer. I know if I ask the DME about this she will tell me they will do it every time and I would like to be able to do this myself.

I don't believe that the s8 Escape is a fully data capable machine. The only thing it reads is how many hours you have used it.

hose head is absolutely right. The only reason the DME plans to download the Smart Card from your machine, library teacher, is to see "compliance" (hours of use) -- which is the only data the S8 Escape can record onto the card. It would be a waste of money for you to buy software and card reader to do a download from the Escape. There's no info on the card that would be useful in any way. You already know you're using the machine.

Some insurance requires that the DME or doctor check "compliance" -- to see if you are using the machine often enough to justify insurance continuing to pay the monthly rental fee to the DME.

Minimum "compliance" is usually considered to be at least 4 hours a night, five nights a week. Not enough for really effective treatment, but at least a "minimum" amount of usage to show that the machine hasn't been relegated to a closet. The person is at least trying to use it.

It's good that the minimum compliance requirement is fairly low, considering how difficult it is for some people, when first starting "CPAP" treatment, to be able to use their machine all night or keep the mask on all night. But "minimum compliance" is not anywhere near enough -- we need to use CPAP for every sleeping moment, including any naps.

library teacher, here's a link you might want to check out. And you might want to ask your DME to swap that S8 Escape for an S8 Elite:

My list of machines that record "full data" and those that don't -- as of October 2008:
Oct 24, 2008 New user, saying hello...with some questions...
viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

Do like I did. I told them (Apria) that I wanted the Autoset II or else. They said they don't deal in Resmeds. I said, "Well, I'm going else where."
They said "Wait, we have a lady on the phone who wants to talk to you." long story short. They got me an Autoset II. I found some software (for a very good price - USB and cardreader included). And all is well.
Jay

Thanks, I will talk to them about it, but I really doubt they will change the machine. I know I am in compliance, but I really would like to know how I am doing. The DME told me at the hospital I would know by my feelings.

What type of insurance do you have? HMO, PPO, fee-for-service, something in between, Medicare, etc., etc.???

Other than Medicare or Medicaid, have you called your insurance and asked them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with? Hopefully you will have the option of more than one! Understand that most all advice you get from most any DME supplier must be taken w/a HUGE grain of salt, many can be considerably less than truthful or guilty of great sins of omission.

The KEY is to NOT keep any unsatisfactory equipment more than 30 days. So if you have the option of another local DME supplier or you really want a fully data capable CPAP machine you will start NOW to see to it that the exchange is made. MOST insurances do NOT pay by brand and/or model, but by an HCPCS (insurance) code and all CPAPs, including APAPs, are HCPCS code e0601. The bi-levels, SVs,STs, etc are differnt HCPCS code).

Unfortunately I have had the machine for over 30 days. My insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS

library teacher wrote:Unfortunately I have had the machine for over 30 days. My insurance is Blue Cross Blue Shield of MS

IMO, it is worth a try to immediately call the insurance company to see if by chance they have not paid for the machine and you can still switch it out. Sometimes we get lucky.

If that doesn't work I would plead a sob story case for a data capable machine. If you get the right person (and unfortunately insurance companies don't have many), you might get a new machine.

The insurance company is the LAST one I'd talk to about wanting a fully data capable CPAP in place of a bare-bone, compliance data only CPAP. I agree, call and see if your insurance has been billed yet!!! And what other local DME CPAP suppliers they are contractd with. ASAP. Good luck!

Make sure when they download the information that they send it to your doctor for him to review. You should take the card to the office when you go to see the doctor so that he knows how you are doing. I did this for a year and I was able to see changes because of the fact that I was loosing weight. Last Sept. I went for a sleep study and found out I did not need the machine any more. It also help with justification to get a dental device and insurance paid for the whole thing. IF you have any questions just ask.

Chris