BiPap - ResMed vs Respironics

After my second sleep study, the doctor said I needed a BiPap machine. Should I get a ResMed or a Repironics?

Also, they said I have the option to buy an "auto" bipap instead of a regular bipap machine for $200 more if I pay that amount out of pocket. Should I do this? The sleep tech determined that my bipap settings are 14/10 if that makes any difference.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Matt

Stewart194 wrote:After my second sleep study, the doctor said I needed a BiPap machine. Should I get a ResMed or a Repironics?

Also, they said I have the option to buy an "auto" bipap instead of a regular bipap machine for $200 more if I pay that amount out of pocket. Should I do this? The sleep tech determined that my bipap settings are 14/10 if that makes any difference.

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated!

since we don't know where you are, (which affects how one acquires a machine) i'll just speak in generalities.

respironics bilevel (bipap) machines are generally cheaper, and simpler, with less available customization,
resmed bilevel (vpap) machines are often a bit more $$ and have much more ability to customize their behavior should you need anything beyond simple bilevel pressure.

look at the total cost to you, from wherever you're looking at the moment, and then check with some of the forum members here, there are several lightly used bilevel machines available from trusted forum members at the moment for substantial discounts over what a DME wants, and depending on insurance issues, may be cheaper for you.

If you are covered by insurance, I wouldn't worry about costs. I don't believe that they can charge you a $200 up charge out of pocket. Call your insurance company and ask. ResMed vs Resperonics is like Ford vs Chevy...some like one, others like the other.

If you can swing it, getting the auto version of either machine gives you additional flexibility in the future.
In the auto version, the main difference between the ResMed machine and the Respironics one is the way in which the pressure changes are handled in the auto mode.
On the ResMed, the pressure difference between EPAP and IPAP are kept at a constant with the values moving up and down together. This value is Pressure Support and is fixed.
On the Respironics, this difference is allowed to float with each pressure adjusting separately but not allowed to get closer than the fixed number of the settings. This value is Pressure Support and is variable.

Some folks can feel the difference and prefer one to the other. Effective therapy is not affected in either case.
There are other minor differences.

I think, but check with your insurance provider, that the reimbursement HCPCS codes for the bi-level machine in either straight or auto are the same, E0470, and you shouldn't be charged extra for the auto version.

Here is a link to the codes and the meanings:
CPAP Reimbursement Codes

I have owned both brands in the bilevel machines...ResMed S9 VPAP Auto and these machines in the PR S1 line the 750, 660 and 760.
750 is the slightly older PR S1 BiPap Auto with the 760 being the current newer model.
the 660 is the PR S1 BiPap Pro which doesn't have auto adjusting mode.
Each brand had for me a couple of minor pros and cons that the other brand didn't have but none were deal breakers or makers.
The fixed pressure support in the ResMed and I kinda liked it but with the 760 PR S1 you can use it either way when in auto mode. So it's nice to have the option but not critical. The 760 pretty much leveled the playing field for me when comparing the ResMed VPAP Auto to the PR S1 models. The 750 came up a little short in the comparison for me but was still a great machine.

Both machines made a little noise but weren't horribly loud though (my husband couldn't hear either)...the Respironics main noise was on inhale and the ResMed was on exhale. I do think the ResMed was maybe a tad more quiet.
As for Auto being that much better than fixed bilevel...that's a tough one. If you happen to have varying pressure needs during the night (like with supine sleeping or REM stage sleep needing substantially more pressure) that auto function is pretty sweet because it lets you use less pressure when less is need and will increase to only what is needed. Otherwise you would have to use higher pressures all night instead of part of the night. Not everyone will see big pressure changes though and not everyone cares for auto adjusting pressures. It remains to be seen what you will like/want/need.

I don't know about the $200 upgrade fee....check with your insurance because in some situations that is prohibited.
But it sounds like your RX is for fixed bilevel and the DME will sometimes just put their foot down and if they don't have to offer auto (like the RX doesn't call for it) they can refuse to do it without the upgrade fee even though they could offer the Auto set to the fixed pressure setting if they just would do it.
Insurance pays the same no matter which model...the autos do cost a little more.
Is having the Auto feature a make it or break it deal? In all honesty you very likely would do just as well on the fixed bilevel but for me personally I like having all the options available just in case I want or need to use them.

I have a thread where I talked about how I ended up on bilevel and there are some report examples in that thread.
I happen to have the situation where in REM stage sleep my pressure needs change dramatically so for me having the auto is a definite plus but I could successfully use a fixed bilevel machine though.
viewtopic/t71442/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71 ... te#p656179
If I were in a situation where the only way I could get the Auto was with the $200 upgrade fee (and I would make sure that it was legal for the DME to charge it because I know that with my insurance it is not legal) and if it wouldn't take food off the table....I prefer auto so much that I would pay the $200.

If buying totally out of pocket...the PR S1 bilevel Auto saves money and does pretty much just as good of a job as the ResMed and that would be the way I would go but if insurance is paying the bulk...I would go with the new ResMed AirCurve 10 VAuto. Even though I haven't used that latest model I am confident that it is at least as quiet as the same model in the S9 series and I do think that the ResMeds are a little more quiet but the PR S1 machines are far from loud. We are talking very minor noise level differences.

Thank you to everyone who replied! This helps me out a lot and I am extremely grateful for the advice!