HELP, please! How can I tell: Resmed S9 series machines

I tried to fit: distinguishing between the ResMed S9 series machines, but it wouldn't all fit in the subject line...

I have an appointment to meet with my DME this afternoon. I have heard good and bad things about my DME (Apria) and this is our first ever meeting to get my first machine. I do not have a choice to go to another DME, unless it is out of pocket. I'd prefer at this time to go through insurance and have them pay 80%, me 20%.

I have fought hard so far to make sure the doctor's prescription was sent over to Apria for the AutoSet, but after reading some horror stories about "bait and switch" DME actions, I am worried I won't be able to tell the difference between the series machines.

I checked the S9 series products on our sponsor's and Resmed websites, I am dismayed that the AutoSet, Elite and Escape all look the exact same on the outside of the machine!

Lord knows I'll double check the invoice or anything I sign, but how can I be absolutely sure the machine is what I need/want before we get to the "bag it up, I'll take it" stage?

Is there anything I need to look for on the machine that will absolutely distinguish it from one series model (Elite, Escape, et.c) to and AutoSet? I want to be absolutely sure I come home with the ResMed S9 AutoSet machine.

Please help! I have 2.5 hours until I go to pick it up...

Thank you all!!!

Forgot to add:

I am looking for visual differences between the machine, if there are any I should look for. Thank you!

If you can read English, just look down at the top, at the right end, just 'above" the power button/
The machine name should be under the clear plastic there. -(NO applied sticker)
You can also find the name on the metal specs plate on the bottom or the back.
If there is no box/packaging, demand to see 'run hours'--to keep from getting a used machine.
See this page:
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resme ... chine.html
Click on the little image with the 8-ball next to the machine--
the image enlarges so you can read the printing on top of the machine;
If it says AutoSet right where that one does (and like mine), that should be right.
If the image is still too small, use a larger monitor.

Thank you.

The pics I was seeing online didn't show anything above the power button and I freaked a little bit. Ah, there's nothing like us newbies LOL

I did plan on checking the metal plates as well. When I saw the metal plate pics online, there wasn't anything there but "ResMed". Perhaps they use one pic for their marketing.

Thanks again, chunkyfrog!

Do not accept anything that says ESCAPE. It is NOT a data capable machine.

Chunkyfrog.. Thanks for the link and yes, I did see that pic with the 8 ball, but saw that it is the same exact pic used for the Elite and the Escape, hence why i panicked In my mind, I knew the other machiness would say "Elite" or "Escape" in the same spot, but without picture proof on the machines, I hesitated. What if it didn't? .... I know, I know, I'm a mess....

I've seen some other S9 machines, and the top labeling is there--in the black field under the contiguous clear covering.
You can also read the actual text on the spec plates.
I believe that really sneaky sorts might jack around with the top labels, but it will probably be obvious.
If they tamper with the spec plate, I believe it's a FEDERAL offence. (Just my opinion)

Here's a link to cpap.com which have photo's of the unit in different poses. When you click on the photo it size increases.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resme ... chine.html

There is also an "Autoset Elite" which you do NOT want.

I don't know why they do this. The Elites aren't any cheaper to make and might even cost more to make. Other than software, I'm not sure there is any difference between any of the S9 CPAP/APAP models.

There's more difference than just software. The ESCAPE doesn't have any sensors so can't to used as an APAP even if you changed the firmware. The ESCAPE AUTO is also missing some sensors which provides the data you get with the ELITE and AUTOSET. The ELITE is different from AUTOSET in that it doesn't have the ability to change pressures. There has to be both software and hardware differences. But they all share the same housing, buttons, and humidifier. I bet if you opened them up to compare you would see hardware differences between them all.

So.... I get there on Friday and yep, the RT has an Elite on the table. She goes right into setting the machine up and I had to stop her mid-sentence. The invoice right in front of us on the table says AutoSet. I point this out, she looks at me like this: and then retreats to the back room and I hear her shuffling through things. She comes back, says she doesn't have one in stock. She'll fix the invoice for the Elite. Um, No! I ask her to double check the prescription sent over from my doctor. She checks and it is written for AutoSet. Some huffing and puffing about how it doesn't matter and the Elite is just as good, blah blah. I stand my ground, tell her I want what was written on the script.

She pulls a loaner AutoSet machine out and says I can use this one until she can place an order for the new one on Tuesday. I have her write on the invoice that the one I receive is a loaner. She very reluctantly agrees.

Sidenote: Where was this loaner when I begged for it last Monday?!??? They told me they don't do loaner machines at that time and assured me when they made the appointment that they had a brand new AutoSet in stock, plenty of them in fact, and I shouldn't worry so much. grrrrrr

She starts to fit me for a nasal pillow mask. Um, can you please check the prescription again? Once more she gives me a blank stare and checks. Yep, doctor stated full face. She's getting pissy at this point, but I explain that I want to make sure I follow doctor's orders to set me up for the best success chance. This seems to bring her attitude level down.

A walk-in came in and she spends 1/2 hour getting them what they need. The sign on the front door says appointments ONLY during the week and walk-ins are accepted on Wednesdays.

During the time she was with the walk-in, I had plenty of time to check the invoice in front of me on the table and saw multiple errors on it (duplicate line items for the same equipment, just rearranged wording (i.e., Climate Line hosing, ResMed was listed as one line item, and then another line item further down the invoice read Heated Hose, ResMed.)

I point out the duplicates, she's back to being cranky, but she fixes it. Takes her 20 minutes to do this. She then comes back and rushes me through the rest of explaining the machine and puts the mask on. In 10 minutes flat she was pushing me out the door, as she told me her next appointment had arrived.

Thanks to Chunkyfrog I saw in plain English the words right on the machine.

I really did check all the links to the machines. the pics shown were all AutoSet. I just panicked, but glad I did, since knowing for sure where I was seeing "AutoSet" in the pics it would show the model if it was different helped tremendously. Thanks for the help!

Good luck.

Now you know why so many just order them from online dealers.

Anyone want to place odds on if the new unit they try to give you soon is an "Autoset Elite?"

Way to go! I can just imagine the look on the RT's face every time you challenged her. Wouldn't you just know she would basically put you on hold while she lollygagged around with a walk-in. Oh well, at least you are getting what you want and need. It pays to be your own advocate!

Suz

tim, LOL... I hope she learned I won't take nothing less and will be double checking everything I certainly can agree with ordering online. If not for insurance picking up the machine at 80%, I would have ordered online for sure. They may end up picking up 100% of the tab, since Cigna is checking to see if I met the 1st tier of deductibles - the sleep tests may have pushed it over the deductible limit and I may end up with it completely covered. Hard to pass up 80% or free to me after all the med bills from this year. If I ever have to order out of pocket, I wouldn't hesitate to do it. For this first machine, I got insurance, so I will use it. I will say that the supplier post on this board was amazing for their pricing.

Suz, she was getting peeved, but oh well. I definitely believe in being your own advocate! I can thank this board for all the help, the horror stories of DME's, and the information I needed to be able to hold ground intelligently when the run around started. I NEVER could have done it with out this board's help!