Bringing machine with to appointment

TropicalDiver · Post by **TropicalDiver** » Sat Jan 18, 2020 8:54 pm

Stating the obvious, I have no actual knowledge about what motivates your provider. But, of course, I can speculate!

a) Bringing them the machine shows them that you still have the actual device available for use and that it is in working order. Also, if the provider wants to do a tweak to settings, they can do it there (my sleep doc would). If the data was not available via the modem upload to the cloud, they could also get the data via the SD (still in the machine) or even via the machine (to a point). Finally, if you have questions they can show you using your precise machine.
b) Bringing the MyAir data shows them you are paying attention to your treatment (albeit at a pretty superficial level). And, worst case, gives them compliance data.

All of that said, I bring only my SD card. They get a bit grumpy at reception but I just shrug my shoulders.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:33 pm

Ok. Guess I still don't understand. If the doctor gets Airview with your numbers and compliance why would he need the sd card also?

I suspect not all doctors subscribe to Airview.

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:59 pm

Janknitz wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 5:33 pm
I suspect not all doctors subscribe to Airview.

I agree. The sleep clinic we use prescribes nothing but ResMed machines and they always ask us to bring in the machines when we come in. They pull the data off of the SD cards prior to the nurse practitioner seeing us.

Becca8104 · Post by **Becca8104** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:34 pm

I dutifully hauled my machine to my first follow up appointment because they told me I had to. THEY DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT MY MACHINE. My machine did not come with a SD card because my DME took it before giving the machine to me. I did not know it was supposed to come with one. My doctor did not ask to see the SD card, just asked me to bring my machine. During my appointment, they went somewhere else leaving me and my machine alone. Then they returned & said everything looks great, keep up the good work & sent me on my way. I was confused. I asked them why I had to lug my machine in if they didn't even need to touch it & the reply was "in case we had to make adjustments." I know how to make the adjustments myself because I figured out how to access the clinical menu by researching the internet & reading CPAP forum posts. I haven't been back to the sleep clinic again. You don't NEED to bring your machine or SD card. They can get the data themselves from whatever website/application they use if you are faithfully entering your data every night using My Air.

I use Oscar, which is more detailed & provides better information, but I still use My Air as well. I wanted to stop using My Air but can't because my medical insurance (Tricare, provided by Humana Military) won't pay if I don't use My Air. I asked. When I go on Medicare in 5 years, I have been informed that I will have to have another sleep study done in order for Medicare to pay. I will still have Tricare as a supplemental insurance. I will find out then if I can stop using My Air since Medicare will be primary instead of Tricare.

Becca8104 · Post by **Becca8104** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:41 pm

but, my experience is with the Military Medical System. Other clinics may be different. I would ask why they want you to bring in your machine. If the answer is "so that I can read the SD card". Tell them you will bring just the SD card with you. If their answer is "so that we can make adjustments if necessary". You should bring it in if you are not comfortable making the changes in the clinical menu yourself.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:12 pm

Becca8104 wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:41 pm
If their answer is "so that we can make adjustments if necessary". You should bring it in if you are not comfortable making the changes in the clinical menu yourself.

Prescription changes can be made with the SD card alone.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:20 pm

Becca8104 wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:34 pm
I still use My Air as well. I wanted to stop using My Air but can't because my medical insurance (Tricare, provided by Humana Military) won't pay if I don't use My Air. I asked.

Who did you ask? Your DME equipment supplier or Tricare directly?

Changes to the machine settings can be made via the SD card and ResScan software if someone wants to do the work. Not hard..just takes a few minutes.
But I suppose it is just easier to tell the patient to lug around the machine just to save them from a little extra time in the ResScan software.

They aren't the ones doing the lugging around.

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:38 pm

Becca8104 wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:34 pm
. I wanted to stop using My Air but can't because my medical insurance (Tricare, provided by Humana Military) won't pay if I don't use My Air. I asked.

I doubt that they can even tell if you use myair or not, if you don't tell them. Now, it's entirely possible that there's a little telltale on their airview screen that says "naughty user hasn't checked myair in 32 days", but I seriously doubt it.

My guess is that either you've misunderstood what they were trying to tell you, or (probably more likely) they lied.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 7:59 pm

The scheduling staff has no idea what is going on.
Due to privacy rules, they are not told.
It is what it is.
The left hand/right hand thing.

Becca8104 · Post by **Becca8104** » Sun Jan 19, 2020 11:45 pm

I was told by my DME that THEY are asked by Tricare if I am being "compliant" before they will pay for my equipment. The DME assured me that THEY only know if I am compliant by using My Air. I contacted the sleep clinic that I went to (military base). The sleep clinic technician stated that the reason why my prescription states that I am to use My Air is because that is how they determine if I am compliant, so I am considering that to mean I MUST use My Air if I want insurance to pay. I really don't know what to believe or who to believe, everyone may be lying, I am well aware that DME's & sleep study clinics may be full of crap, but I figure there is no harm in my continuing to use My Air to perhaps make Tricare happy, but I never look at the daily results anymore. I prefer Oscar. I did not know that the doctor can make prescription changes on the SD card. Good to know in case I am summoned back to the sleep clinic again. I will definitely bring my SD card just in case, but will never lug my machine to the next appointment.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 12:11 am

Becca8104 wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 11:45 pm
. . . never lug my machine to the next appointment.

And there is no reason to require you to lug it around unless it needs repair.
Too much can happen to it while out and about.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 5:16 am

Becca8104 wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 11:45 pm
I was told by my DME that THEY are asked by Tricare if I am being "compliant" before they will pay for my equipment. The DME assured me that THEY only know if I am compliant by using My Air.

Well....they could use ResScan if they just would.
What do you think they would do if you lived in an area with no cellular service which is how MyAir gets the data?

Sometime you might call up Tricare and ask them how long they expect you to be compliant, and ask the DME if you are, so they will pay for your mask and stuff. Last I heard they go by Medicare's guidelines for being "compliant". After 90 days they don't care.

Becca8104 · Post by **Becca8104** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:01 am

pugsy, good idea. I will contact Tricare (Humana Military) directly & pose the question regarding the compliance requirements. Don't know why I didn't think to do that before.. DUH!

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:09 am

Becca8104 wrote: ↑
Sun Jan 19, 2020 6:34 pm
I dutifully hauled my machine to my first follow up appointment because they told me I had to. THEY DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT MY MACHINE. My machine did not come with a SD card because my DME took it before giving the machine to me. I did not know it was supposed to come with one. My doctor did not ask to see the SD card, just asked me to bring my machine. During my appointment, they went somewhere else leaving me and my machine alone. Then they returned & said everything looks great, keep up the good work & sent me on my way. I was confused. I asked them why I had to lug my machine in if they didn't even need to touch it & the reply was "in case we had to make adjustments." I know how to make the adjustments myself because I figured out how to access the clinical menu by researching the internet & reading CPAP forum posts. I haven't been back to the sleep clinic again. You don't NEED to bring your machine or SD card. They can get the data themselves from whatever website/application they use if you are faithfully entering your data every night using My Air.

I use Oscar, which is more detailed & provides better information, but I still use My Air as well. I wanted to stop using My Air but can't because my medical insurance (Tricare, provided by Humana Military) won't pay if I don't use My Air. I asked. When I go on Medicare in 5 years, I have been informed that I will have to have another sleep study done in order for Medicare to pay. I will still have Tricare as a supplemental insurance. I will find out then if I can stop using My Air since Medicare will be primary instead of Tricare.

In case there is no SD card or it's damaged, they can get the data directly from the machine. Also, if you bring the machine and all the things you need to use it, they could - at least theoretically - watch you put it on and check for anything that might not show in the numbers.

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Mon Jan 20, 2020 10:16 am

The DME is in a CYA mode. I think you will find that TRICARE, like MeDICARE, has a requirement to verify usage in order to have supplies covered. How this is to be accomplished is left up to the DME.

Bringing machine with to appointment

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Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max