Escape vs Elite II

Ok..I have the DME agreeing to switch my Escape to the Elite...
he still says there is little difference in the machine and I will need a card and software to get the info I want.

But, I understand you can see the data directly on the machine.

Can someone give me the info so I can know how to do this. He wants me to show him how to do it because he claims it can not be done.

So, I would like to do some educating on Thursday when I go in and see him.

Oh..and I take back all the nasty things I (did not write) said about the people putting down local DME's. I am not quite to the point yet...but sure am getting there. This guy did spend almost two hours demonstrating the machine to me, and answering every question I could find, but...he does NOT want to trade with me, but in the end he will.

thanks to all...

JB

JaBee wrote:Ok..I have the DME agreeing to switch my Escape to the Elite...
he still says there is little difference in the machine and I will need a card and software to get the info I want.

They are essentially the same machine, treatmentwise. The difference between them is that the Escape records only hours of use and the Elite records treatment data. No, you will not need a card and software to get the info you want from the Elite, if what you want to see is AHI and leak information.

JaBee wrote:But, I understand you can see the data directly on the machine.

You're right.

JaBee wrote:Can someone give me the info so I can know how to do this. He wants me to show him how to do it because he claims it can not be done.

Amazing...is there no provider's manual (clinical manual) for a ResMed Elite somewhere in the DME's office? Perhaps he could go to ResMed's website and download a clinical manual there? Or perhaps he could call his ResMed rep and ask that a PDF of the clinical manual be emailed to him? This is RIDICULOUS that he won't get up off his rear end and call ResMed to get that information. Geeze.

JaBee wrote:So, I would like to do some educating on Thursday when I go in and see him.

JB, please PM me. Got a suggestion for you.

JaBee wrote:Oh..and I take back all the nasty things I (did not write) said about the people putting down local DME's. I am not quite to the point yet...but sure am getting there. This guy did spend almost two hours demonstrating the machine to me, and answering every question I could find, but...he does NOT want to trade with me, but in the end he will.

thanks to all...

JB

Well, hang onto your thoughts, in case you need them later. Hope you won't, but... don't throw them away quite yet.

JaBee wrote:Can someone give me the info so I can know how to do this.

I don't have a S8 in front of me, so this is from memory....

Hold down the left and right arrow buttons for about 5 seconds or so - the display should change to "Efficacy data" (or something similar). Use the left button to select the Efficacy display - you should then be able to look at the AHI/AI/HI data for the previous "day" (up to 12 noon). After 12 noon it will show no daily data until you start to use the machine again (at night).

If you press the down arrow button instead of the left arrow, the display should change to Usage (or similar) - use the left arrow button to select the Usage display and you should be able to look at the nightly and cumulative hours the machine has been used.

FWIW, you can look at this Efficacy/Usage data during the night while the machine is running if you really want to.

BTW, the Elite has a number of other features lacking on the Escape, including automatic adjustment for altitude.

Cheers,

Bill

Wow I am getting a new machine tomorrow. I called the Sleep Center and told them what I had and I was told from them that that wasn't what they ordered for me to use. Not sure what I am getting. I made my wants known about getting an Elite instead of the Escape I have now. When I talked to the gal from the DME I was told they didn't have the model the Dr. ordered when I went in so they gave me this one. Well gollleeee how long does it take to get the other one in. Been almost two months. And they didn't tell me that when I picked the Escape up why I got that one instead..... Glad to hear they are getting you an Elite Jabee. Hopefully that will be what mine is too. OR I am not gonna be happy at all.

Modistee

And if the Left and Right button press and hold doesn't work (be sure to try it BEFORE noon) then tell your DME provider to go into the Clinicians Menu and turn SmartData on so that you can access the advanced/detailed patient menu (SmartData) and that the advanced/detailed patient menu allows you to access your Efficacy and Usage data WITHOUT the risk of accientally - or intentionally - changing your therapy settings. (I'd be inclined to tell him/her to try reading the Clinicians Manual so that they UNDERSTAND the equipment they are providng and that equipment's capabilities!)

As an ex-cpap dealer you can ask for the elite upgrade but, are not entitled to it as per medicare policy and most insurances follow those guidelines. You are at their mercy and the doctor has to interfere sometimes ,,by threatening the DME with less referrals. But believe me I am with you on this just persist and they usually budge. Good luck.

Slinky wrote:And if the Left and Right button press and hold doesn't work (be sure to try it BEFORE noon) then tell your DME provider to go into the Clinicians Menu and turn SmartData on so that you can access the advanced/detailed patient menu (SmartData) and that the advanced/detailed patient menu allows you to access your Efficacy and Usage data WITHOUT the risk of accientally - or intentionally - changing your therapy settings. (I'd be inclined to tell him/her to try reading the Clinicians Manual so that they UNDERSTAND the equipment they are providng and that equipment's capabilities!)

Slightly different on the S8 Autoset Spirit II I'm trying:

Left right button press lead to: "Clinical Menu".
Left button enters menu
Down arrow leads you to Results
Left button enters results
Down arrow leads you through results.

Smart Data lets me decide what the patient menu shows, but the efficacy results are not one of the options there (only pressure and usage). The options --> menu type only switches between advanced and standard.

Simply put, at this point, I have to enter the clinical menu each time I want to see my results. Am I missing something?

O.

Hey..thanks everybody...I have copied the part of the manual that applies and will take it with me
to the DME tomorrow morning.

He wants to tell me he called the Dr and checked the prescription, but they did not feel I needed
the Elite II, but in the end he said he would do what I want. He just wants me to show him the
advantages, and I see plenty and hope I decipher which buttons to push.

I dont know why I waited to ge the machien before starting to research, but no matter, I am
glad I did...and appreciate all my new friends here at CPtalk.

But, I am not ready to be called a "hoser" but my wife says I do look and sound a bit like
Darth Vader in my mask!!

JB

I am very new at this. I've only had my CPAP for four days. So far, I think I'm doing OK although I worry that I don't know if it's leaking. And last night I woke up a couple of times during the night drooling. I also had dry mouth (really for the first time - which made me think for some reason I opened my mouth last night). I have nose pillows and the Escape II. I started reading these threads this morning and just want to know a couple of things: Am I right in thinking that I could get an Escape and be able to tell if I have leakage or incidents of apnea? Will BCBS pay the same amount or will it cost me more? Thanks for any advice you have.

The Escape II is NOT going to tell you anything you don't already know, i.e. that you used your Escape II last night and how many hours you used it last night.

BC/BS contracts vary, BUT, MOST contract w/the local DME suppliers by HCPCS code, NOT by brand or model. This holds true for MOST insurances, altho HMOs can be a whole new ballgame. That being said, as long as you have had this Escape II LESS than 30 days (45 days is pushing the limit) I would strongly suggest that you return that Escape II and INSIST on being provided w/the S8 Elite II w/EPR. The Elite II is fully data capable and will tell you what your Leak, AHI, etc. were the previous night.

Keep in mind that this is YOUR health, YOUR sleep, YOUR therapy and YOU are PAYING FOR IT, whether thru insurance or out of pocket is of no consequence. If this local DME provider TRIES to charge you extra to upgrade to the Elite II from the Escape II - DO NOT buy into it!!! This provider contracted w/BC/BS to provide an HCPCS code e0601 at a specific reimbursement amount. Don't let them pawn the Escape II of on you just because you weren't aware of the difference in capabilities between the Escape and Elite.

Your first step should be to call BC/BS and ask them what local DME providers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than just this one. If you do have the option of more than just this one ...

Your next step should be to call the other local DME provider options to see what brand of CPAP they prefer to provide. They usually prefer making the bulk of their xPAP purchases from one manufacturer thereby getting a good bulk rate price per unit. Hopefully at least one also prefers to provide Resmed devices.

Your next step then is to actually visit each of your optional local DME providers (even those that prefer to provide Respironics or DeVilbiss or Fisher & Paykel or Puritain Bennet (Covidien) devices.

Don't be bashful about stating WHY you are not satisfied w/your current local DME provider - you don't necessarily have to mention the name, they all know each other, let them figure it out for themsevles if they really want to know, altho no great harm done if you do mention which one you are currently using and disatisfied with.

Your PRIMARY concern should be that the provider will provide you w/a fully data capable CPAP, that they have a lenient mask exchange policy and that you are comfortable w/their staff and that they will work w/you. DON'T commit yourself at this point.

NOW you are prepared to go back to your current DME provider and have the necessary tools to bargain/negotiate w/them to INSIST on their exchanging that Escape II for the Elite II or you will go elsewhere. But first be sure to ascertain if they will insist on your returning the Escape II's Humidaire 4i integrated humidifer or not. If they insist you've paid for the Humidaire 4i so you must keep it, then you are pretty much "stuck" w/having to have an optional local DME provider who will provide you w/a Resmed. If this current provider will take the Humidaire 4i back too, then you are free to use any of the other local DME providers regardless which brand they have offered you in a fully data capable CPAP.

Whilst I very much prefer the Resmeds, the fuly data capable Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex (NOT the Plus) and the fully data capable DeVilbiss IntelliPAP Info (NOT the Intro) both provide excellent therapy. Off the top of my head I don't remember the model names of the Respironics PR SystemOne, Covidien (Puritain Bennet) Sandman and Fisher & Paykel CPAPs that may be fully data capable.

Be diplomatic, BUT - be FIRM. Good luck!

Well, well, well!!!! Hey, Ozij. I'm just browsing thru the S8 Elite II's Quick SetUp Guide. It seems our Resmed friends have pulled a bit of a switcheroo on us.

From the Welcome Menu, try pressing the Down button which should take you to the Ramp screen
Then try pressing and holding just the Left button for 4-5 seconds which should bring up the Settings screen
Press the Down button which should bring up the Results screen

From there it looks like you have two options to access your data

1] Press the Left button which takes you to the Usage Hours
Press the Down button which takes you to the Usage (nights)
Press the Down button which takes you to the Smart Data
Press the Left button to Enter the SmartData

or

2] (from the Results screen)
Press the Down button which takes you to Options
Press the Left button to Enter which takes you to SmartData
Press the Left button to Enter which takes you to AutoAppear
Press the Left button to Change (options will be Off or On)

I think you will also have to press the Left button to Apply before then using the Right button continuously to Exit.

These are the DETAILED PATIENT MENUS.

Sheesh!! I don't have to go thru all that w/my Resmed VPAP Auto so I guess it REALLY is a Resmed S8 I & 1/2. I wonder, then, if you have to go thru all of the above w/the VPAP Auto 25???

Thank you so much for the advice. This is all so overwhelming. I'm going to call Blue Cross tomorrow.

It is all very overwhelming but I know one thing for sure. The difference between the Escape and the Elite II is night and day. I got my Elite by going somewhere else because the DME INSISTED there was no difference and I like it a whole lot better than the Escape. Even the exhalation relief is better.

Modistee

Thanks to you all I now have an Elite II on order. The DME told me it really wasn't going to be any different than having the Escape because knowing the data wouldn't cure anything. But I told him that I needed to know as much as possible so I could manage my own care. And if he didn't want to make the switch to a new machine (he said that he has to order one because they don't have them in stock), I would go elsewhere. At that point, he agreed to order one and swap machines when it comes in. So thank you!

cybermom53 wrote:Thanks to you all I now have an Elite II on order. The DME told me it really wasn't going to be any different than having the Escape because knowing the data wouldn't cure anything. But I told him that I needed to know as much as possible so I could manage my own care. And if he didn't want to make the switch to a new machine (he said that he has to order one because they don't have them in stock), I would go elsewhere. At that point, he agreed to order one and swap machines when it comes in. So thank you!

Good for you! Let us know how it goes.