New machine coming!

I'm so excited to be getting a new machine! I found out my new jobs insurance covered DME 100%, so I asked my doc to write a new script and to specify the airsense 10, since that's the machine I really want.

I'm excited to be getting a new machine!

You want an AirSense 10 model that provides full data. Your prescription should not specify the Airsense 10 CPAP model, nor leave it open for the DME to decide! You should also get the heated hose (may become important during cold months to prevent rainout).

Below is part of a post by our gold member, Pugsy, that I stole from another thread. Good luck, Earl

Pugsy wrote:... The AirSense 10 CPAP model is a very limited data model. The next step up model is the Elite and it is a full data model that allows for more than the measly generic AHI that the CPAP model gives...the Elite will show the pressure on the software reports...the CPAP model can't. Plus the Elite and Autoset (even next step up model) offers much more data so you can evaluate your therapy...monitor leaks, apnea events, etc.
Try to get at least the Elite model. ....

alpha752 wrote:I'm so excited to be getting a new machine! I found out my new jobs insurance covered DME 100%, so I asked my doc to write a new script and to specify the airsense 10, since that's the machine I really want.

I'm excited to be getting a new machine!

You REALLY need to be sure it's the AirSense 10 AutoSet or Elite. The AirSense 10 CPAP needs to be avoided at all costs.

Check the Useful Links in my signature line at the bottom of this post if you need further info.

And if you want the model that has the most features, ask for the Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. Having the dr. specify a pressure range instead of a constant CPAP pressure helps in getting an Autoset version, which you definitely want, even if you are starting at a constant pressure. Insurance usually only pays for a new machine every 5 years and your needs can definitely change in that period of time.

Some of the extra features of the For Her version may be helpful to men too and the machine is white with silver flowers on it, not pink. My DME didn't know about the extra features and thought it was just a cosmetic difference, but it is not.

He wouldn't write for autoset, because he says I need straight cpap, but he did specify the elite. Maybe I can get them to give me an autoset anyway.

That would definitely be better - it's worth a try. Any auto machine can be set to operate at fixed pressure - you just set the min and max to the same pressure. But many of us find that our pressure needs change with sleeping position, sleep stage, and many other factors. The sleep study, if you had one, only measures a single night.

If insurance is involved, they pay exactly the same amount for an auto machine as they do for a non-auto - it's the same charge code. The only difference is more profit for the DME if he can get away with giving you the cheaper non-auto machine.

Fight hard to get the auto - it gives you the best chance of getting the best results from your therapy. But your best shot is to work it from the doctor angle, not the DME. Convince the doctor to change the prescription to the AirSense AutoSet and then the DME will then have to provide it. If you just ask the DME to give you the autoset instead, he is highly unlikely to do so - he will just say that he has to give you what is prescribed, even though it puts more money in his pocket.

The AutoSet can be dispensed in cpap mode...some DMEs routinely dispensed apap machines but in cpap mode if that's what the RX calls for.
If your doc refuses...ask the DME anyway...they just might do it. If you don't ask the answer is always "no".

The Elite is still a great machine and if no one will play ball with apap....well maybe later you can pick one up somewhere as a backup and have it available if you need or want to try apap mode.
Not everyone needs or wants or even likes apap mode...but it's nice to have available just in case.