Odd Airsense 11 Problem and Medicare question

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
jsmit86
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:43 pm
Location: Conroe, TX (Suburban Houston TX)

Odd Airsense 11 Problem and Medicare question

Post by jsmit86 » Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:14 am

I have an Airsense 11 Autoset that is just 3 months out of warranty.

I have an unusual problem. For the first year and some months, absolutely no issue, but approx 18 months in, every water chamber develops a leak within a few weeks. I have used distilled water, RO water, and Tap water. No difference.
I am only rinsing and cleaning with mild (Dawn) soap as needed.
I am not washing the tub with HOT water. I am not using the dishwasher. I am not using any harsh cleaners.
I am not doing any rough handling of the tubs.
The leaks seem to be coming from the bottom of the metal plate.
The water is only filled halfway.
I have replaced the gray exit piece with the silicone gasket in case somehow that was the cause. It had no effect.

I have had 2 DME's look at this. They say that water chamber leaks are not common. Since this happens with every tub, but did not for the first 18 months. There are only a few possiblilities.
One - The chambers are all defective. - Unlikely since nobody else seems to have this issue, and it's literally EVERY tub.
Two - Something in the machine is causing the problem. No idea what. Something with the heating plate???
Three - I am not doing anything to the water chambers that should be causing that, but in theory, that would be a possibliliy; but it did not happen for the first 18 months.

My questions for the forum are:

> Has anyone run into this issue? If so what solved it?
> If you think I must be doing something wrong, please be so kind to tell me specifically what I could do to cause this, and how to stop it.

> I am now on Medicare, but I was on private insurance when I got the Airsense 11.

> My current DME told me that Medicare would not allow them to diganose or repair a unit that was not provided by them.

>I brought the unit to my previous DME, who does not take medicare. They are sending to Resmed to diagnose the issue. I expect to pay out of pocket for that.

> I have been told, and I assume that I am not eligible for a new machine until 5 years after the unit where private insurance was billed. Is it correct that Medicare will not pay for repairs for a machine not provided by them?

I sincerely appreciate your responses.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: AirTouch™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: also AirFit F20 mask. For travel HDM Z2 Auto CPAP, using AirFit or AirTouch F20 mask. Former Airsense 10 Autoset
Resmed Airsense 11 Autoset - Former Airsense 10 Autoset
Resmed Airtouch F20 Foam Mask
Travel unit HDM Z2 Auto

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 64835
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Odd Airsense 11 Problem and Medicare question

Post by Pugsy » Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:41 am

jsmit86 wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 11:14 am
Is it correct that Medicare will not pay for repairs for a machine not provided by them?

This is a question you need to be asking Medicare directly.

About water chambers.....I have had 5 fail over the past 15 plus years and 4 failed due to user error (chamber either dropped or slung across the room) and only 1 failed just out of the blue.

Just started with AirSense 11 a few weeks ago. So far no problem with water chamber.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

jsmit86
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:43 pm
Location: Conroe, TX (Suburban Houston TX)

Re: Odd Airsense 11 Problem and Medicare question

Post by jsmit86 » Sat Jan 25, 2025 12:19 pm

Pugsy- I appreciate the reply.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: AirTouch™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: also AirFit F20 mask. For travel HDM Z2 Auto CPAP, using AirFit or AirTouch F20 mask. Former Airsense 10 Autoset
Resmed Airsense 11 Autoset - Former Airsense 10 Autoset
Resmed Airtouch F20 Foam Mask
Travel unit HDM Z2 Auto

Grumpy48
Posts: 402
Joined: Tue May 12, 2020 7:57 am

Re: Odd Airsense 11 Problem and Medicare question

Post by Grumpy48 » Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:00 pm

Any chance the water tubs are running dry by the morning which conceivably could overheat the metal plate and cause a crack to occur? You had mentioned only filling halfway and a few posts I've read on the AS11 seems to suggest it runs out of water quicker than the previous AS10. Dry ambient conditions in the Winter may use water a bit quicker as well.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation 2 Auto CPAP Advanced with Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Resmed AirSense 10 Auto with Humidifier

jsmit86
Posts: 239
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2019 2:43 pm
Location: Conroe, TX (Suburban Houston TX)

Re: Odd Airsense 11 Problem and Medicare question

Post by jsmit86 » Sat Jan 25, 2025 8:15 pm

Grumpy48 wrote:
Sat Jan 25, 2025 1:00 pm
Any chance the water tubs are running dry by the morning which conceivably could overheat the metal plate and cause a crack to occur? You had mentioned only filling halfway and a few posts I've read on the AS11 seems to suggest it runs out of water quicker than the previous AS10. Dry ambient conditions in the Winter may use water a bit quicker as well.
It's a good point, but no. I typically have about 1/2 the water still left. It never runs dry.
I do appreciate the thoughtful reply though!

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset
Mask: AirTouch™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: also AirFit F20 mask. For travel HDM Z2 Auto CPAP, using AirFit or AirTouch F20 mask. Former Airsense 10 Autoset
Resmed Airsense 11 Autoset - Former Airsense 10 Autoset
Resmed Airtouch F20 Foam Mask
Travel unit HDM Z2 Auto