Need expert advice

I am happy that I did some basic research on line before dealing with the DME company and I did advocate to get the S9 Elite. The DME was going to bring the S8 or S9 Escape. I am thankful I have a data capable machine and it is working well for me. When I was 3 weeks in with the machine and had more info from this group I contacted the RT at my DME and talked about getting an auto machine. Here is what he said...#1. I could tell he did not want to talk about it because his employer would lose money on it. He implied that. I could tell because I am in healthcare and I heard some key phrases.
#2. He tried to tell me I cannot get an auto machine with a cpap Rx. #3. He said I would be eligible for another machine in 5 years anyway. #4. When I said I want the option of adjusting my pressure in the future without going to the sleep lab, he said he can always work with the dr to bring an auto machine out to the house and put me on it for a couple weeks if that is necessary.
Here is my question, I have been told that my insurance company is renting for 3 months before purchasing, then I will have to pay my portion. Can I give back the machine before or when the rental is up and purchase an auto machine? I have great compliance of >7 hrs per night and I am very happy with my AHI. Not having leak problems with mask. All indications are that my pressure is set at optimum for me at this time. I think the RT did a good job with education and fitting me for a mask. He was not keen on my having software and being educated on my numbers. I didn't share with him that I am educating myself and looking at the detailed data and asking questions here. Should I be concerned to get the S9 Autoset or similar machine?

In my opinion, I would. If your rental is up in 3 months, it should be up to you if you want that machine or another. I have both, but I have learned that I feel better when I use my auto in cpap mode. My numbers are great with either mode but I fell better. At least with an auto you have the choice to whatever mode you prefer. Its your choice, you are an educated patient, if they balk, just tell them you will go somewhere else. The insurance code is the same for either machine, so why would the insurance company care if its an auto or not.

Hello Apneawho,

Welcome to the CPAPtalk forum. This is a great place, and there is a wealth of information available here.
The DME does not make as much money selling you an AutoPAP as they do selling you a straight CPAP. You do need a script that specifically says AutoPAP, and some doctors will not write a script for that unless you are having problems on the straight CPAP machines or unless they really want to get you the most versatile machine out of the understanding that you will get the best therapy if you have an adjustable machine. I do not know the specifics of if you can return the CPAP and get a script for an Auto CPAP to replace it, but I would sure try it. I got my Primary Care Physician to write the script for me because my sleep doctor did not want to order an AutoPAP for me. It may be worth fighting for at this early stage, you do not want to be stuck for 5 years.

Good luck and I am sure you will do well on your therapy, you have come to the right place.

Karen

apneawho wrote:1. I could tell he did not want to talk about it because his employer would lose money on it. He implied that. I could tell because I am in healthcare and I heard some key phrases.

1) They make a less obscene profit on an Auto machine than they do on a manual CPAP, but it's still very profitable.

apneawho wrote: #2. He tried to tell me I cannot get an auto machine with a cpap Rx.

2) He's lying. The machine would have to be set to a manual pressure if the prescription specifies a particular pressure.

If you have a cooperative doctor who will change the prescription to say something like "auto pressure 8-10" instead of "pressure 9", many of your problems will be over.

By the way, you can get fine therapy with your Elite machine. If you think the pressure isn't right, you can simply bump it up or down for a few nights and see what happens.

I had a similar situation; I was given a non-data capable entry-level cpap by my DME and only after a month (when I realized it didn't record data) I started calling and talking to my DME about getting a data capable machine.

It took about 6-8 weeks of phone calls to DME and faxes to my Dr (who did everything I asked: new prescription for the machine I wanted with "no substitutions" written on it), phone calls to my insurance company etc. In the end the DME called and said that they had the machine I wanted and would switch it out for a "copay." (upcharge)

In the end I negotiated the copay down to 1/3 of what they asked me for and paid it to finish the deal and get the machine I wanted. It was a compromise but unfortunately I didn't find this forum until AFTER I had my first machine. There is a great post called "Before You Meet with Your DME for the First Time" (or something like that by a member here that is invaluable - and I wish I had read it)...

In the end, my DME worked with me and got me the machine I wanted, I guess, because they wanted to keep me as a customer.

Good luck with yours.