Return policy on Machine?

It just occurred to me that there is a DS150 machine that is like the Plus, but lacks C-Flex. I wonder if it say "REMstar" and nothing more above the LCD display.

there is nothing on the top other than 'remstar' above the screen and 'phillips resporonics' undeneath. there is no number with a 'ds', the closest thing I've found is 150P. Is that a model number? why must this be so confusing?

and I just noticed the prior post lol...so yes, that must be the one I have. does it record anything of value and will encore viewer work for me?

I found reference to this # on another board where someone, who seemed very knowledgable about these machines said:

Unfortunately, that PR System One REMstar DS150 is the "entry-level" version of the PR System One CPAP machine. It does not have any type of easy-breathing technology built into it like C-Flex or A-Flex.

He went to to say that it retails online for about $550. For not much more, you could have a data capable machine. I have a fully data capable Intellipap Auto Adjust with Smartflex and heated humidifier that I paid $469 total for online.

What a rip off you have been given!

If you have the 150 it will not give you any data at all except maybe how long and how often you used it. You already know that. That is all the DME needs to get the insurance to pay them. If they have that data, the insurance will pay them and they will make the most profit.

If they were to sell you a better machine, like the Remstar Pro or the Remstar Auto (Sytem One), they would get paid the same and make less profit because it costs them more to buy the Pro or the Auto but they still get the fixed amount from your insurance company.

I hope you can return that machine and get a Pro or an Auto. It may mean getting your doctor to write a prescription specifying at least the Pro to make them change it for you. It would be best if you could deal with a different DME. These people do not care if you are getting good therapy. They care about their profit margin.

With the Pro or the Auto, in the System One, you can get some information on the LCD screen like AHI and leak rate (important information). If you buy Encore Viewer 2.0 software ($99 at cpap.com), you can get even more information on your computer like when and how many events (Apneas (central and obstructive), Hypopneas, Vibratory snores, RERA and a more accurate leak rate. Then you have information to take charge of your own therapy.

I hope you can get machine that will allow you to manage your own therapy. No one cares about it as much as you do!

Good luck!

It sure sounds like you've got the bottom-of-the-barrel System One machine. The Plus is usually the lowest model discussed on the forum. Do try your hardest to get the machine exchanged for at least a Pro, so you have access to full data.

take the machine back, and tell them you dont want it, call your doctor and tell him you are going
to refuse therapy if you have to use that p.o.s.

when you return it, get proof that it was returned, and that you owe them nothing if they refuse to exchange it..
Get everything in writing.. call your insurance company and tell them you took the machine back...


If doc doesnt budge, find another doc who cares, and another dme.. there are good ones out there..

You want to get well, not sick from frustration.. anybody not on that path with you, dump them if you can..

are you in a HMO?

It certainly sounds like an HMO.... as I have learned from own experience the last month. Mine refused to honor my doctor's Rx for either Auto or even a cpap w/flex. First was denied because their medical review said that auto must meet the criteria of having Central Apneas for it to be Rx'd. The Flex was denied because it was 'experimental.' After screwing around with their game, I decided to buy my own machine. The HMO does provide my mask and supplies at 100%.

I have to say, I am thrilled with my new Intellipap AutoAdjust with Smartflex. For the money, it is a super machine and fully data capable, and certainly measures up to either the ResMed or PR One in features.

OK, we are starting the process of attempting to cut off all contact with this DME. I will keep you updated.

Also, surprisingly, we are not on HMO. But I think our regular doctor likes to think he's HMO (he's another story, we're working on changing him too!)

I hope to hear back from the DME tomorrow about when I can bring back all their JUNK!! (To add to the story, my husbands machine was chock-full of both stickers AND the prior users compliance data...lovely!)

CPAP is hard enough...this DME is making it torture!!

SleepyRae

After FINALLY getting through the the DME, they are coming tomorrow to pickup the machine. However, they said everything else was a purchase and we need to keep it. (Free mask?) I'm so glad to be done with them, and have my nice new S9....

They said something about having to sign a form that states they picked it up without doctors orders. Does this affect me/my insurance in any way?

Also, keeping the mask etc, is that going to affect my insurance in a weird way?

I'm so confused by all this!! But getting it straight finally...

SleepyRae wrote:After FINALLY getting through the the DME, they are coming tomorrow to pickup the machine. However, they said everything else was a purchase and we need to keep it. (Free mask?) I'm so glad to be done with them, and have my nice new S9....

They said something about having to sign a form that states they picked it up without doctors orders. Does this affect me/my insurance in any way?

Also, keeping the mask etc, is that going to affect my insurance in a weird way?

I'm so confused by all this!! But getting it straight finally...

I would document the make, model, and serial # before turning it in. The form they are talking about is AMA or "Against Medical Advice" this is a CYA for them. You will also want a receipt showing when you turned in what equipment for when the billing "errors" start going into collections.

I found this -
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=43289&p=383412&hilit=ama#p383412

searching for "Against Medical Advice" may turn up more discussions.

Good Luck

I hope to hear back from the DME tomorrow about when I can bring back all their JUNK!! (To add to the story, my husbands machine was chock-full of both stickers AND the prior users compliance data...lovely!)

Whoa, did they charge it out as a brand new machine? I'd call that insurance fraud!

As for the mask, hose, and humidifier--yep, those were purchases, so if you get the same brand machine you won't have to buy a new humidifier (and, if you get a different brand of machine you may have to pay out of pocket for a new humidifier )

Cross out anything on the return that says "against medical advice" or anything of that nature. Write something along the lines of "this machine did not meet my medical needs". Sign that.

When I returned my machine I had the doctor and insurance company on my side. I had called them prior to my returning my machine and explained that the prescribed machine was not what I was given (my script was for an apap and a range of pressure and I was given the M series plus set at 10).

I simply refused to sign the against medical advice document. I did sign the return equipment document and kept a copy for my file. They even called my doctor and badgered them in to me keeping the machine they gave me. My doctor ended up hanging up on them.

yesss! sock it to those dirty crooked cheats!
I understand that for liability reasons you cannot disclose the name of this hive of villainy; but could you please put your location in your profile?

chunkyfrog wrote:yesss! sock it to those dirty crooked cheats!
I understand that for liability reasons you cannot disclose the name of this hive of villainy; but could you please put your location in your profile?

There should be no liability if it's true, right?

They were supposed to pick up the stuff today, right?
Wonder how that went?