How Many Want SmartCard, Reader & Software

Yes
I wanted it for several reasons:
I commute 100+ miles round trip, I can not get to a doctor in normal hours but my primary care has a chat and a phone session available each day for that reason
My doctors do not have the reader or software
I always make a copy of anything a DR gives me and take it to my primary care - most times I put it in the drop box
I take him my prescriptions and have them rewritten - only one doctor prescribes, only one pharmacy fills
My doctor makes me be a part of my heath, I need to give him the information.
He hates that I am so honest as he is used to people that lie, understate and generally dismiss "other" things in their life.
I know that my weight is an issue, drinking does not help, stress, all of it is a factor. I do not BS him and he is straight with me. If I ask for something, he knows I have researched it and will talk to me.

As my favorite comic says "how do you talk to a man that's had a finger in your b*tt?" In my case, just fine...

RosemaryB wrote: ... Without the software I would not have known what pressure I should be at and I'd still have mild OSA instead of moderate. I'd have leaks and not know it. Right now my leaks are often nonexistent.

Last night I got an AHI of 1.8 (WOOO HOOO!!!). Without the software, this would not have been possible.

How to do this without software, I don't know. My doctor supports the use of this software, by the way. If the cpap companies would educate the doctors this would help.

RosemaryB, if you had a Resmed S8 Elite or S8 Vantage you'd have been able to find the data to come to the same conclusion w/just pressing a button combination and checking the LED screen.

(Sorry, couldn't resist. All the Respironics folks here who like to take pokes at the Resmeds whenever they can. I know you aren't one, Rosemary but .... I just couldn't resist ....)

I would love to have the software and card reader. I feel like I'm hanging out in the wind not knowing how I'm doing. Like another reader wrote, I don't have the extra money to go the sleep doc every few months to check. Also, I found out that my insurance switched in the middle of my machine qualifying.. so I have to come up with $1000 to keep the machine. UGH... I'm like everyone else. I wish someone could come up with a cheaper way to get the data. I don't want to change settings, I just want to feel safe.

Boy! Things sure have changed with insurances thru the years. When my son was hospitalized for 2 months here then transferred to another hospital some distance away, and our insurance changed mid-stream from BC/BS to Travelers, BC/BS "had" to pay for the full two months here, and the first week or so at the other hospital until Travelers' coverage went into effect.

Teach, don't be too quick to ante up the $1000. You should be able to negotiate a better "price" w/the DME if it comes to that.

Is it one group plan to another group plan? Didn't HIPAA prevent "pre-exisiting condition" clauses from one group plan to another if there is no break in coverage?

Is there no DME coverage w/the new insurance you will be getting? If it is a matter of the new insurance not being contracted w/your current DME you can probably return your current equipment to your current DME and start anew w/a DME contracted w/your new insurance and negotiate an easy out w/your current DME in the process.

Be sure to check out all the "angles" and talk some real turkey w/your benefits rep if these are both group coverages.

Slinky wrote:

RosemaryB wrote: ... Without the software I would not have known what pressure I should be at and I'd still have mild OSA instead of moderate. I'd have leaks and not know it. Right now my leaks are often nonexistent.

Last night I got an AHI of 1.8 (WOOO HOOO!!!). Without the software, this would not have been possible.

How to do this without software, I don't know. My doctor supports the use of this software, by the way. If the cpap companies would educate the doctors this would help.

RosemaryB, if you had a Resmed S8 Elite or S8 Vantage you'd have been able to find the data to come to the same conclusion w/just pressing a button combination and checking the LED screen.

(Sorry, couldn't resist. All the Respironics folks here who like to take pokes at the Resmeds whenever they can. I know you aren't one, Rosemary but .... I just couldn't resist ....)

Touche, RosemaryB. And well said. But my point was and still is, if one can't get the software and reader - the Resmed's LED available data can be of a lot more assistance than the Respironics'

Dig, dig. (All in good natured humor for those of you not familiar yet w/the friendly Resmed/Respironics controversy here). Both brands are EXCELLENT machines.

Slinky wrote:Touche, RosemaryB. And well said. But my point was and still is, if one can't get the software and reader - the Resmed's LED available data can be of a lot more assistance than the Respironics'

Dig, dig. (All in good natured humor for those of you not familiar yet w/the friendly Resmed/Respironics controversy here). Both brands are EXCELLENT machines.

Yes, both are excellent. To be objective about it, it would be handy to have those LEDs on the Respironics machines. But I do like data reporting on the software for the Respironics just a tad better. Of course, I bought the Respironics machine shortly before they made the software hard to come by.

I debated about the PB 420E, too, and today that one would be a stronger contender given that it's still possible to buy the software in the U.S. and for a reasonable price. Plus, I like the software better for the PB than the respironics. It's a neat travel machine, too.

Yeah, I'm like you. I'd "really" like to try that Puritan Bennet GoodKnight 420E and Silverlining software. BUT - the last thing I need is yet another xPAP. Of course, now IF I can ever convince my husband to go in for a sleep study there is NO DOUBT in my mind he will come out w/an order for xPAP. When and if that happens (and I'm not holding my breath) he will be sure to get the Puritan Bennett 420E.

RosemaryB wrote:

Slinky wrote:Touche, RosemaryB. And well said. But my point was and still is, if one can't get the software and reader - the Resmed's LED available data can be of a lot more assistance than the Respironics'

Dig, dig. (All in good natured humor for those of you not familiar yet w/the friendly Resmed/Respironics controversy here). Both brands are EXCELLENT machines.

Yes, both are excellent. To be objective about it, it would be handy to have those LEDs on the Respironics machines. But I do like data reporting on the software for the Respironics just a tad better. Of course, I bought the Respironics machine shortly before they made the software hard to come by.

I debated about the PB 420E, too, and today that one would be a stronger contender given that it's still possible to buy the software in the U.S. and for a reasonable price. Plus, I like the software better for the PB than the respironics. It's a neat travel machine, too.

You have the added advantage of safety. You can leave the fire extinguisher, in the kitchen to put out those pesty grease fires. jim

teach wrote:I would love to have the software and card reader. I feel like I'm hanging out in the wind not knowing how I'm doing. Like another reader wrote, I don't have the extra money to go the sleep doc every few months to check. Also, I found out that my insurance switched in the middle of my machine qualifying.. so I have to come up with $1000 to keep the machine. UGH... I'm like everyone else. I wish someone could come up with a cheaper way to get the data. I don't want to change settings, I just want to feel safe.

Teach, the machine you have listed in your Profile is the M series REMstar Plus with C-flex. None of the Respironics "Plus" machines can give full data. The "Plus" records only hours of use even if it has a Smart Card with it. So, the software wouldn't be of any use with that machine.

You'd need at least the "REMstar Pro" M series cpap machine, or the older "REMstar Pro 2" cpap machine (the older one has to have a "2" in its name) to get useful data using Encore Pro software.