HELP PLEASE!!!!! Going to DME tomorrow

Christy223 · Post by **Christy223** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:05 pm

I have been told that the DME we are to use carries and issues the Respironics M Series.

What does this mean and is this good or bad? What should I ask for in the form of machine and humidifier? Or is this an all in one machine?

I am scared.....I don't want to get ripped off and come home with a piece of junk!!!

Thanks!

Christy and Ron

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:18 pm

There are several different M Series machines. And assuming that you don't require a very high pressure -- say 15 or over, you probably won't need a Bi-Level. So:

In the M Series machines you only want an Auto, or the Pro. You do not want the Plus or the basic.

I would try to get the Auto, and second choice would be the Pro. But again depending on the pressure. Under 10, the Pro should be fine. Over 10 and less than 15, I would want the Auto.

Just my opinion.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:20 pm

In the case of the M Series machines, "demand" at least the M Series Pro. The one above that would be the M Series Auto. You may not get that one, but you could try to start there (with the Auto) and then settle for the Pro. But do NOT let them give you a "Plus" or a "DS100" as neither of those record statistics.

In my opinion.....if they won't give you what you want.....walk out.

Den

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:25 pm

Like Den said, "Be prepared to WALK OUT". Don't take a lesser machine. Tell them to give you what you want or you will go elsewhere. BE FIRM.

Christy223 · Post by **Christy223** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:27 pm

Ron is at 11 cm. So I will start with the Auto and "settle" for the Pro.....does this sound ok?

Is the humidifier built in?

Does a smart card come with these two machines?

THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!

Christy223 · Post by **Christy223** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:28 pm

Can I demand my prescription and go elsewhere? Am I "tied" to this particular DME because of the sleep lab or insurance?

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:35 pm

Yes, demand at least a copy of your prescription -- the original is even better.

And you need to check with your insurance company on which DMEs you can use. Some restrict you to their list.

The mask is the tricky part. Hopefully, you know what mask was used during the titration and if it worked or not. Also, check with the DME on "return" policy if a mask doesn't work. Most of them have a 7 or 30 day exchange policy.

Christy223 · Post by **Christy223** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:39 pm

Linda you have been so helpful. Thank you so much. Can you think of anything else I need to ask about. Thanks for reminding me about the exchange policy on the mask.

One more thing.....do you need a seperate humidifier with the M Series Auto or is it bulit in?

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:41 pm

The humidifier is purchased separately -- make sure you get one.

Read, Read, Read. Check out the Yellow Lightbulb.

Also, here is a short thread of interest.

viewtopic.php?t=17632&postdays=0&postor ... nt&start=0

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:42 pm

Christy223 wrote:One more thing.....do you need a seperate humidifier with the M Series Auto or is it bulit in?

There is an integrated humidifier available. Just make sure you get a heated humidifer. The integrated one sits to the left and has a big knob on the top of it.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 3:50 pm

The humidifier SHOULD be built-in/included.....make them show it to you. They may charge you for it separately....which was typical for the pre-M machines. It may need to be specified on the prescription if it's not.
There should also be a smart card with it. If not, they removed it and shouldn't have.
Look up that/those machine(s) on CPAP.COM and check out all the features to make sure you get all the "pieces and parts".

Den

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 4:07 pm

Even if you decide to purchase where you were referred, get the prescription from your doctor (or the DME if that is easier and they will give it). It is good for another machine any time online.

Just because a machine has a "card" doesn't mean it collects useful data, the M series Plus just collects compliance data which is useless.

Check your copay and deductable to make sure that it is really better to get the stuff at a local DME. Some people have higher copays and might as well buy online. Cost online for Remstar auto and humidifier I believe is about $700 (go check). You need a mask too. The DME will "sell" you the mask and humidifier, and most likely rent the machine and after compliance your insurance co will pay the balance. You need to know the TOTAL OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET that they will be looking for in order to compare online cash purchases.

Don't let them pressure you. If you walk out with something it is a lot harder to get a change to another DME and if you decide to purchase cash later you lose the rental, but the mask and humidifier are most likely yours to keep.

While you are getting your prescription, get a copy of your sleep studies too for your files. You don't need them to purchase online, but do for another local DME most likely. And they can be useful down the road to look at and see how you are doing.

If the DME tells you something that you don't think is right, you can walk and reschedule the appt when you have had time to check up on it. You don't have to walk out the door from your appt with a machine.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:46 pm

Christy, I seriously doubt that any bricks and mortar (local) DME (health care store) will let you have an autopap unless the doctor's prescription states "autopap" or "auto-titrating cpap" or "APAP" on it AND states a pressure range to be set (e.g. 5 - 20 cm H2O.)

Your husband's prescription probably calls for a "cpap", not an "autopap", so the DME is not going to give him an autopap. An online store like cpap.com would let you buy an autopap with an Rx for cpap, but a local DME won't....unless they are a very unusual store. The local store would require that you go back to the doctor and get an Rx for "autopap" before they'd let you have that kind of machine.

As for a regular cpap machine...as the others mentioned, don't settle for the M series Plus machine or the M series D100. Be sure you get the REMstar M series Pro with C-flex and heated humidifier.

Your husband will likely not have any problem using a cpap machine with a pressure of 11 cm. C-flex in the Respironics machines makes exhaling easy for most people. If he doesn't like or do well with C-flex turned on, that can be turned off.

As others have said, the mask is going to be the real key to being able to "do" this kind of therapy. So do get your Rx in hand and shop around...ask different DMEs in your area what their mask exchange policy is. Being able to swap an unsuitable or uncomfortable mask over and over again is much more important than what machine he gets, imho.

Good luck!

BrensTiredMom · Post by **BrensTiredMom** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:07 pm

Everyone before me has LOTS more experience than I do and have given you excellent advice...but I'd like to add that you want to be sure that you're getting a new machine if your insurance is buying the machine outright. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but you can ask to see the 'blower hours' and that can't be reset by anyone...right? To me it's the principle, if my insurance co is buying it I want them (and me) to get what we're paying for.

Good luck tomorrow!

RachelM · Post by **RachelM** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:46 pm

My DME is part of my sleep clinic. I had the choice to work with their DME or go elsewhere. Thanks to this forum, I felt that the Remstar Auto M APAP that I had rented for a month for titration would be best for me. Told me sleep dr that I wanted to keep rental unit instead of going to regular CPAP. Love the flexibility of the APAP. Have software. That's how I found out that for the last two months my 90% has gone from 10 to 12. With straight CPAP at 10, would have had to go back for additional study.

Mask

Machine	Humidifier