ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage vs. M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex

Which one do you find is a better machine? I came across the ResMed S8 AutoSet Vantage and I was really impressed by what I read. I then called my insurance company, Blue Cross and Blue Shield to see what types of machines they will cover. She kept on and on and on that they needed a diagnoses code and we would go from there.. I told her that with my anxiety I would prefer an auto with exhale relief as I panic at not being able to breathe. She did not care about that of course, only that they want a diagnoses code! grrrrrrrrr I am going to fight for an auto and will tell my doctor that I will NOT use one unless I get auto... Afterall I am paying for it!

(before Slinky gets in here first.......)

The M Series Auto CPAP w/A-Flex definitely has more options.
It also will pursue apneas above the 10 cm. limitation of the ResMed Autos.
It would be MY choice of the two.
If you had Central Apneas in your sleep study, the Covidien "Sandman" Auto may be a better choice. (although it doesn't have exhale relief)

Den

Thank you Den, it's why I love coming here.. The ResMed seems to be so much more expensive so naturally you would think it is a better machine.

In all fairness (which eliminates Slinky's opinions ), each manufacturer and machine models have their advantages and disadvantages, so it boils down to deciding which will work best for the individual (cost not being a consideration). There are many of us who tend to favor one "brand" over another (yeah, me included), but the person looking to buy one needs to do a lot of research and weigh all the options.....unless they're filthy rich and have enough money to buy one of everything and decide that way.

Den

That is exactly why I am doing my homework on this one! My insurance company is going to cover most of the cost so I better choose wisely as I will not be able to afford to buy another one myself.

Ha! Wulfman, obviously Michelle has been doing her homework and able to figure things out for herself! What I WAS going to suggest to Michelle w/o even mentioning the benefits of the Resmed was that it was NOT her insurance company she needed to work with to get the xPAP she wants - its her local DME supplier w/MAYBE having to enlist the assistance of her doctor. Maybe.

Michelle, most all insurances contract w/local DME suppliers by HCPCS code (insurance code). That is what BC/BS was asking for. They don't contract or approve by brand and model. That being said: ALL straight CPAPs thru full data capable CPAPs thru fully data capable auto PAPs are lumped under the SAME HCPCS code. Insurances contract at ONE reimbursement fee for ANY xPAP that falls into that HCPCS code catagory. (Bi-levels, SVs, etc. are entirely different HCPCS code). The problem is at the local DME supplier level. The straight bare bone CPAPs obviously cost them less than the fully data capable CPAPs or the autoPAPs so they prefer to protect their profit margin where possible by providing the lower end CPAPs. It is up to you to DIPLOMATICALLY, but FIRMLY make your desires known on which xPAP you want and then bargain/negotiate to get what you want.

Keep in mind that most local DME suppliers generally purchase their xPAPs from one particular manufacturer to get a "bulk price" for the units. Yes, they can order from another manufacturer but they won't get a bulk price if they do so. So they have preferences not only on model but also on brand of xPAP they provide. Take that into consideration as you bargain/negotiate w/them.

What you SHOULD do is call your insurance company and ask them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one and if so, then "shop" each one, ask what brands of xPAPs they provide, ask what their mask exchange policy is (a lenient mask exchange policy can be VERY IMPORTANT, moreso than what brand of xPAP you get).

Whilst you are talking to your insurance company you might as well also ask just what your DME CPAP benefits are: lifetime limits? annual limits? copays? deductables? when in the year does your deducatable start? CPAP rental or outright purchase? if rental to own how long is the rental period before the xPAP becomes your sole property? if you purchase out of network what coverage do you have? if you purchase out of pocket and provide a copy of the PAID invoice WITH PROPER HCPCS codes will they reimburse you? at in-network or at out of network rates?

INSURANCES DON'T CARE WHAT BRAND AND MODEL YOU GET as long as it fits the proper HCPCS code.

When shopping online one has to keep in mind Resmed's, Respironics' and Fisher & Paykel's MAP (minimum advertised pricing) policies. In order to accurately compare prices one must call the various online DME suppliers and ask if they have an "unadvertised sale price" on the item you are interested in. I don't know of any that can beat cpap.com's unadvertised price on their Respironics but have heard from one or two people that they were able to find a Resmed cheaper than cpap.com's Resmed price. I don't know that for a fact, nor did I ask them where since I already had my Resmed. Unfortunately, these MAPs prevent us from taking advantage of and enjoyng cpap.com's price matching policy for the xPAPs.

When you have your titration pressure, you will be able to better determine what machine will be best for you. If you have no centrals, and your titrated pressure is 8 like me and my mother, the M Series w/ A-Flex will be excellent. In the meantime, it looks like you're doing a good job of preparing yourself for your therapy to go smoothly!

Incidentally, I reset my pressures from 6.5 - 15, to 7 - 10 last night, and my A-Flex from 2 - 1, and had the best night so far only waking up maybe only one time, rather than four or more!

Georgio

Slinky,

Don't confuse the HCPCS codes with the "diagnosis" code(s) which is what Michelle mentioned in her first post. If she had a diagnosis code that required a Bi-Level machine, (I presume) that would be a different code than one that required a CPAP machine.

Den

Whoopsie, Den! GOOD CATCH!

I was lucky enough to try both of the R companies' auto machines. I started with the Resmed straight cpap, was changed to the Resmed Vantage for 6 weeks, then switched to the M series auto for several months. My preference was the M series. At that time, the Vantage did not have exhale relief in auto mode. I think that may have changed, but I'm not sure. I really like exhale relief. I eventually went to the M auto bipap with biflex.

The M series machines felt more natural to me, and were "softer" somehow. I think it depends on your own individual preferences.

I was given printouts of the Resmed data, and I was able to track the data myself with the M series. I prefer the way the M series tracks, but again, that is an individual choice. I didn't want to read the data on the screen of the machine, but preferred the report the computer software gave me. Maybe someone could show both of those to you so you could see if you like one more than the other.

I don't think you can go but so wrong. Both machines do what they are supposed to do.

CatNapper is correct, the new Resmed S8 II AutoSet does offer EPR in both straight CPAP and auto mode where as the S8 AutoSet Vantage offers EPR only in straight CPAP mode. The S8 IIs also all have the new EasyBreathe technology which is an even smoother, easier flow between inhalation and exhalation. And CatNapper was fortunate to be able to "try" both brands. Would that more of us could try EACH brand we were interested in to pick THE one that was most comfortable for us as there is some difference in the algorhythms of the various brands. Most of us do as well w/one algorhythem as another but NOT all of us! I'd venture a guess from posts in the various apnea forums that the Puritan Bennetts would be a LOT more popular than they are!

Slinky wrote:CatNapper is correct, the new Resmed S8 II AutoSet does offer EPR in both straight CPAP and auto mode where as the S8 AutoSet Vantage offers EPR only in straight CPAP mode. The S8 IIs also all have the new EasyBreathe technology which is an even smoother, easier flow between inhalation and exhalation. And CatNapper was fortunate to be able to "try" both brands.... I'd venture a guess from posts in the various apnea forums that the Puritan Bennetts would be a LOT more popular than they are!

Howdy everyone,
I searched for some posts comparing the major brands, and this 3-yr old post was as current as I found. I'm wondering what Y'all think about the differences in brands and models now? Also, how about the sturdiness of the units? We have a older S8 Autoset and a newer S8 VPAP Auto 25, both by Resmed, and I feel the smaller, newer model is much more frail, IMHO.
What does the group think of current models in all these aspects? earl

n0hardmask wrote:

Slinky wrote:CatNapper is correct, the new Resmed S8 II AutoSet does offer EPR in both straight CPAP and auto mode where as the S8 AutoSet Vantage offers EPR only in straight CPAP mode. The S8 IIs also all have the new EasyBreathe technology which is an even smoother, easier flow between inhalation and exhalation. And CatNapper was fortunate to be able to "try" both brands.... I'd venture a guess from posts in the various apnea forums that the Puritan Bennetts would be a LOT more popular than they are!

Howdy everyone,
I searched for some posts comparing the major brands, and this 3-yr old post was as current as I found. I'm wondering what Y'all think about the differences in brands and models now? Also, how about the sturdiness of the units? We have a older S8 Autoset and a newer S8 VPAP Auto 25, both by Resmed, and I feel the smaller, newer model is much more frail, IMHO.
What does the group think of current models in all these aspects? earl

My S9 with the humidifier full has hit floor hard at least twice and still works like new.

The amount of additional smarts and data collection in the new machines makes them much preferable to the older ones. PRS1 vs. Respironics, S9 vs. S8. You also can use SD memory instead of proprietary, finicky card readers.

ResMed vs. Respironics is a "Chevy vs. Ford" choice. Mostly personal choice, with a few advantages either way.

Don't get Escape, Escape Auto, or REMstar Plus. Get a better model that records flow waveforms.

I've heard few reports of anyone breaking the machines by physical force. Spilling the humidifier water into the machine seems to be the biggest problem. PRS1 humdifiers have a neat design to make it harder to spill water back into the machine unless you overfill it.

I haven't had the opportunity to use an S9. I think the S8s are a better device than the PR S1s - but - the disadvantage of the S8s requiring a data card and proprietary cable reader that is difficult at best if not almost impossible to get your hands on anymore due to being discontinued lends favor to the S9s and S1s. The S1's swivel hose attachment atop the humidifier is a really great feature. As is and has been par for the course, the Resmed S9s far exceed the PR S1s in data availability via the LCD screen. I still prefer ResScan software to EncorePro software.

Do NOT bother w/the PR S1 Auto IQ! The IQ is NOT a true Auto past thirty days of auto use.