Is the more expensive machine worth it ?

I am going to be in the market for a new CPAP machine and unfortunately with my current insurance my deductible is too big that I will have to pay out of pocket.

I really like the Resmed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet and it seems to get great reviews but it costs almost $900 - maybe get for close to $800 but nevertheless pretty expensive. I might get an insurance contracted price but not optimistic that will be much better.

Then I came across the Icon Auto CPAP Machine which IMO looks like an oversized dated alarm clock but seems to have similar features and includes a heated tube (with the Resmed it is optional). This machine can be found for about $500.

Though I mention the heated tube I am not sure I really care for that feature, I don't mind humidity cooling a bit between the time it leaves the machine and travels to my face.

Thoughts, suggestions ?

jmsnyc wrote:I am going to be in the market for a new CPAP machine and unfortunately with my current insurance my deductible is too big that I will have to pay out of pocket.

I really like the Resmed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet and it seems to get great reviews but it costs almost $900 - maybe get for close to $800 but nevertheless pretty expensive. I might get an insurance contracted price but not optimistic that will be much better.

Then I came across the Icon Auto CPAP Machine which IMO looks like an oversized dated alarm clock but seems to have similar features and includes a heated tube (with the Resmed it is optional). This machine can be found for about $500.

Though I mention the heated tube I am not sure I really care for that feature, I don't mind humidity cooling a bit between the time it leaves the machine and travels to my face.

Thoughts, suggestions ?

Which brand and model are you currently using?

Have you checked the prices on https://www.cpap.com or http://www.secondwindcpap.com ?

If you're going "out-of-pocket", there are many sources (including some who sell a few on this forum) that are much lower cost than other sources. It pays to do lots of research and shopping/comparing.


Den

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@Den - thanks for the reply

I had a sleep study in 2006 and I have a Fisher Paykal Sleepstyle 200. I have never consistently used it but I feel my sleep apnea is getting worse so I decided to get another sleep study this week. I pretty much know I will be prescribed CPAP again so I will give it another go and I am hoping an Auto CPAP and updated pressure settings will improve my chances of keeping the mask on all night.

Just a second before you responded I read another post and checked the price at secondwind - the Resmed Airsense is about $100 cheaper there . I'd probably be willing to spend the extra money but I hope I use it and really posted to see if spending extra was worth it.

viewtopic/t106397/For-Sale-New-AirCurve ... TagSection

Check out this thread and see if the ResMed is still available. He is very trustworthy. It is a new machine and you can't beat the price.

You want to be sure and get the right mask, because they're usually the reason people quit. It's important to try them while lying down as your face changes so much then, plus need the right size and info on fitting. There are so many out there (Cpap.com's probably got the best variety and prices plus a 30 day return insce. fee) so you should make the effort on them.

I can sell you this unit for $550 including shipping to US address 2 day priority mail

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/hab/5102409576.html

I also have several used .. S9's and pr560p that would be less.


Marv

It seems that a majority of the members here have either Resmed or PR machines. There might be a reason for that. I have used both Resmed S9 Autoset and PR 960 ASV machines. I prefer the Resmed, but they are close. The help available here can be very valuable and machine focused questions will get a broad spectrum of answers, simply because more of us use and are familiar with the 2 brands I mentioned. For a number of reasons including software availability/compatibility, I would not buy any other brand.
If I were looking for an APAP machine today I would jump at the offer from Greyghost.

jmsnyc: was your last machine auto or continuous pressure? I started with a cp machine, and when I went to auto it made a huge difference. Obviously you'r looking for auto now.

--jeff

What pressure did you use before? If you need a pressure in the high teens, you might want to consider a bi-level. My bottom line is the data the machine provides and the availability of software to retrieve that data. If you run into trouble, a good machine will save you in the long run as it could keep you from needing repeat sleep studies.

If you didn't have issues with RERAs, consider a DeVilbiss Intellipapper Auto. Does most of what you need and downloads to Sleepy head. It has a 5 year warranty, much longer than anybody else.

Judging by mattress prices, many people don't bat an eyelash about spending
over a thousand bucks on the disposable part of their bed.
Putting that in perspective; next to being able to sleep and breathe at the same time,
my APAP seems cheap, considering how great the benefit.

jmsnyc wrote:I am going to be in the market for a new CPAP machine and unfortunately with my current insurance my deductible is too big that I will have to pay out of pocket.

I really like the Resmed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet and it seems to get great reviews but it costs almost $900 - maybe get for close to $800 but nevertheless pretty expensive. I might get an insurance contracted price but not optimistic that will be much better.

Then I came across the Icon Auto CPAP Machine which IMO looks like an oversized dated alarm clock but seems to have similar features and includes a heated tube (with the Resmed it is optional). This machine can be found for about $500.

Though I mention the heated tube I am not sure I really care for that feature, I don't mind humidity cooling a bit between the time it leaves the machine and travels to my face.

Thoughts, suggestions ?

Check the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post for a list of models I recommend.

Basically, get ONLY the ResMed A10, S9, or PRS1 (Philips Respironics System One) machines. You absolutely must avoid the lower end models like PRS1 DS160 or Plus, and the ResMed Escape, Escape Auto, or AirSense 10 "CPAP" model.

The ability to see your therapy results information is much better on the PRS1 or A10 models. The cost is probably worth it for a machine you'll use for years that is critical for your health. Machines other than PRS1 or ResMed are OK in some sense, but we have so much better data and knowledge about the PRS1 or ResMed machines.

chunkyfrog wrote:Judging by mattress prices, many people don't bat an eyelash about spending
over a thousand bucks on the disposable part of their bed.
Putting that in perspective; next to being able to sleep and breathe at the same time,
my APAP seems cheap, considering how great the benefit.

I completely agree with you, but then those paying $1000 for their mattresses probably have more disposable income (or at least more credit) than many of us. Suddenly being faced with paying $1000 for an unexpected medical bill is a lot for a lot of people. However, the OP clearly could plan the cost - s/he has a machine already. Buying 10 year old technology just isn't a cost savings unless you have absolutely no interest in doing anything but straight pressure and never looking at your results. Too many people I know are like that. They have blood sugar meters and NEVER measure their blood sugar.

I have $225 in my kitty for a backup machine. While my DME did provide a loaner, there is no guarantee that will happen again in the future when it is a warranty repair. Hopefully, I will find a backup machine soon that both meets my needs and the budget I have.

jmsnyc, I DO think your best bet is to buy a Resmed S9 auto or Airsense 10 auto or a Resprironics 560 (460 I think is also data capable, but not sure) or if money is short, a Devilbliss Auto. The newer, more expensive machines are worth it, IMHO.

jmsnyc wrote:I am going to be in the market for a new CPAP machine and unfortunately with my current insurance my deductible is too big that I will have to pay out of pocket.

I really like the Resmed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet and it seems to get great reviews but it costs almost $900 - maybe get for close to $800 but nevertheless pretty expensive. I might get an insurance contracted price but not optimistic that will be much better.

Then I came across the Icon Auto CPAP Machine which IMO looks like an oversized dated alarm clock but seems to have similar features and includes a heated tube (with the Resmed it is optional). This machine can be found for about $500.

Though I mention the heated tube I am not sure I really care for that feature, I don't mind humidity cooling a bit between the time it leaves the machine and travels to my face.

Thoughts, suggestions ?

Use GOOGLE etc: "auto-adjusting-benchmark-evaluation.pdf"

This will give you:
c0192001.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/fisher-paykel-auto-adjusting-...
Auto-Adjusting CPAP Evaluation on the Bench. Diesem R & McCoy R. Independent Bench Testing, March 2008. Valley Inspired Products, Minneapolis, USA.

Many years old. But then, that long ago, the AUTO CPAP machines were very different.
I don't understand the technical differences. Can someone please explain how, why, etc?

More interestingly, what differences exist now, many years later?

KEY FINDING:The Fisher & Paykel Healthcare SleepStyle™ 200 Auto Series device responds to flow limitation, hypopnea and apnea.

AIM:
To compare selected response characteristics of the Fisher & Paykel Healthcare SleepStyle™ 200 Auto Series, Puritan Bennett’s GoodKnight®420 Evolution, Respironics REMstar® Auto M-Series with A-flex™ and ResMed’s S8 AutoSet Vantage™.

METHODS:
Four simulated breathing patterns mimicked by a breathing simulator were presented to each AutoCPAP device and the subsequent response recorded. The four breathing patterns are shown below ...