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After some research and reading reviews, I have decided on the Resmed S9 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with H5i™ Heated Humidifier. I chose this particular model because of the heated humidifier, menu that looks simple, user friendly and intuitive, the advance warm up feature, the adjustable ramp feature and the advanced menu that lets you see your own data beyond just compliance. The machine also appears to turn on and off automatically when it senses a user or no user. I also liked the fact that it comes with a carrying bag for travel. One of the help videos I watched also suggested getting the upgraded water chamber that can be opened up for cleaning (versus the cheaper version which is sealed) and getting the "climate line" tubing.
*I would really appreciate comments or suggestions regarding this decision. Are there better machines that I should consider?
*Is the water chamber that opens and the climate line tubing worth spending extra $$ if I have to?

The rep told me that the machine weighs 1.4 pounds without the humidifier and 7.4 pounds with the humidifier attached. That doesn't make sense since the humidifier looks to be about the same size as the base unit.
*Is this a mistake or is it the weight when it is filled with water?

I have been dealing with Lincare and they seem really good about doing their best to help me get my choice of equipment and not force me into what they "offer" (make the most profit on). I did check with my insurance and they will pay 75% of the allowance and the DME is not allowed to balance bill me for anything additional. It looks like my portion will be about $124.00 for the machine which seems reasonable. I had first talked to a rep at Apria. They gave me a really limited choice of machines and masks and told me that that was all they "offered" to Carefirst patients. Silence on the other end of the phone when I suggested that maybe they were offering what they could make the greatest profit on. I did not get the same vibes from Lincare.
*Anyone had any bad experiences with Lincare?
*I know I'm responsible for a 25% copay on the allowance set by the insurance company. Are there other supplies or add-ons that insurance doesn't generally cover that I will need to pay for?
*Are there any other hidden or crap charges that I should be on the lookout for?

I'm still leaning toward trying the CPAP Pro mask that has no straps. It is held in place by a mouthpiece that you mold in hot water to fit your upper teeth. It snaps into place and hold the tubes in position in your nose. The reviews seem pretty good. Lincare is also telling me that I can exchange out any of the equipment in the first 30 days until I find something that works so it seems like a no risk proposition. I like the idea of not having any headgear and being able to get out of the mask quickly if I need to.
*Has anyone had any experience with this particular mask?
*Did you have issues with it falling out of your mouth or being uncomfortable on your teeth?
*Any problems with keeping your mouth closed with it in?
*Did it cause any dental issues (I realize it is going to need to be meticulously cleaned and sanitized since it is in your mouth for hours at a time)?

Any other comments on things I didn't think about or missed would be appreciated. Sorry this posting is long.

Thanks,

Kim

Probably a typo;
I read on our host's site that the blower weighs 1.7 lbs and the humidifer 1.7 with the cleanable water chamber,
slightly less with the sealed tank. The weight difference may be due to all the extra stuff included:
power cord/transformer, travel case and standard tubing, and the shipping carton and papers.
I doubt water weight is included, as the chamber only holds 14 ounces---slightly under a pound.
(and no water is included)
A local "papper" uses the Cpap-Pro, and has been doing so for years.
My brother has one, and has only used it a few times. YMMV (your mileage may vary)
It is common for insurance to not cover that particular "mask".
Many of us have had to try several masks before we find one that is comfortable and effective.
Luckily there are a LOT of them around--unluckily, very few are not expensive.

Kims,

I will put in my two cents

I have a ClimateLine hose and I love it. I used to wake up in the middle of the night with my sinuses so cold they felt like they were on fire. No longer I would say work the few dollars. This item is usually covered by your insurance (with co pay of course)

The water tank that opens is a good feature. Allows you to wash it in the dishwasher if you choose. I have heard on this forum that ResMed is now using this tank as the standard. I am not sure. Also I would think it depends on how quickly your DME turns over their equipment.

All that said..the mask is the most important and often hardest to find. I have heard of people going through several masks before they found one that fit. I was lucky, and the mask I chose works well for me. What ever you choose make sure that you can try it out at your DME with your machine set up and running, at your pressure while lying down. They may tell you "you have 30 days to try it" but if it does not fit or is uncomfortable at the get-go you will have trouble sleeping and that is what you are trying to prevent!

Take care, welcome to the forum.
-tino

I'm about two weeks ahead of you. My doctor prescribed the very machine you are talking about, with no substitutions allowed. My DME is Apria, no choice. They have been good so far, and gave me everything prescribed. The water chamber came as two pieces, and there was no discussion about it being an option, so I'll guess its now standard. Its a lot easier to clean than I imagine a chamber which didn't open.

I have the heated tube, but haven't noticed heated air just yet. I live in CA, so the weather has been quite mild, so we'll see come "winter."

No way the humidifier weighs 7 lbs. Together, they are pretty light, and it does come with a soft-sided laptop-type bag to transport it.

The machine is very simple to figure out, and I've had no troubles.

Don't know if the cost you mentioned that you owe is for the machine alone, or if there is a rental agreement hoop to jump through first, so keep that in mind on cost. They will rent the machine, but the humidifier, the mask, tubing, etc. are all buy-items. After my three month rental (insurance requirement), my total start up cost will be just under $800, which is with 50% co-insurance requirement.

The "brick" portion of the power supply is where the bulk of the weight is. The humidifier and machine don't weight much but the power supply is not called a "Brick" without a reason. Carrying the machine and power supply with the travel case through airports is really no big deal. I have a bad neck and a bad back and I really don't have any issues carrying it. I am pretty sure that the 7.4 lb weight is including the brick power supply.

Yes, the easy open to clean tank is worth the extra $. The original one is PITA to try to clean. The top will come off on the original but not without some force that will scare you into thinking that you will break something. It wasn't designed for frequent top removing.
The time and aggravation saved is worth the extra money.

Yes, the ClimateLine heated hose is worth it. I don't know where you live but winter time is almost here and if you like a cooler bedroom at night you will really appreciate the heated hose. The "heat" isn't so much that you feel like you are in a sauna..it still feels sort of cool to the face but it is warmer than room air. Condensation or rain out in the hose is highly annoying and the heated hose helps to prevent that condensation. Rain out won't hurt you but you would be amazed at the amount of noise a few drops of water makes in the hose. It even woke my husband up and he sleeps through a lot of noise.

The S9 Autoset is about as good as they get. No need to shop around for "better".

For what is covered under your insurance plan you would need to check directly with them but if they pretty much go along with what Medicare covers and their replacement schedule you can get an idea what is a covered expense here.
http://www.resmed.com/us/documents/1013 ... sories.pdf
Each insurance company has the right to establish their own policy so yours may or may not mimic Medicare's.

Special CPAP pillows or battery packs or something not deemed medically "necessary" are not usually considered a covered expense but most of the basics are covered. Always best to verify with your own insurance though since plans vary even within the same insurance company. Might also verify exactly what you can expect at the beginning of the year if you have a calendar year deductible.

The CPap Pro mask that you are interested in is not the easiest of masks to try to use but a few people do use it.
I can think of only a couple of forum members who have had success with it. I don't know how active they are on the forum so I don't know if they will see your questions about it.
There has been a lot of discussion about it in the past. If you search the forum for "nomask" or "CPAPPro mask" you will find some discussions.

Welcome to the forum. I know using this stuff wasn't high on your list of things to do in your life. I hope you have minimal problems adjusting to it. I think most people will say that the mask is the most difficult challenge and I tend to agree.

I have no experience with the DMEs you mentioned so can't comment about that.

Tino2You wrote:The water tank that opens is a good feature. Allows you to wash it in the dishwasher if you choose. I have heard on this forum that ResMed is now using this tank as the standard. I am not sure. Also I would think it depends on how quickly your DME turns over their equipment.-tino

Although the non-dishwasher safe aluminum water tub does NOW come apart into 2 pieces, it is NOT the same as the dishwasher safe stainless steel water tub that comes apart into 3 pieces. The dishwasher safe one is still an option & costs extra.

I don't know if my DME just screwed up.
But, I ordered the H5i Humidifier with the "cleanable tub" (a different part # than the H5i with the non-cleanable tub). So, my Humidifier came with the cleanable tub & there was NO additional cost for that. I, of course, did NOT also get the non-cleanable tub that way.

My tub comes apart into three pieces, and I wonder if its the same. The aluminum base, the clear plastic cover, and the opaque plastic sleeve. Is that the same as yours?

StuUnderPressure wrote:

Tino2You wrote:The water tank that opens is a good feature. Allows you to wash it in the dishwasher if you choose. I have heard on this forum that ResMed is now using this tank as the standard. I am not sure. Also I would think it depends on how quickly your DME turns over their equipment.-tino

Although the non-dishwasher safe aluminum water tub does NOW come apart into 2 pieces, it is NOT the same as the dishwasher safe stainless steel water tub that comes apart into 3 pieces. The dishwasher safe one is still an option & costs extra.

I don't know if my DME just screwed up.
But, I ordered the H5i Humidifier with the "cleanable tub" (a different part # than the H5i with the non-cleanable tub). So, my Humidifier came with the cleanable tub & there was NO additional cost for that. I, of course, did NOT also get the non-cleanable tub that way.

ughwhatname wrote:My tub comes apart into three pieces, and I wonder if its the same. The aluminum base, the clear plastic cover, and the opaque plastic sleeve. Is that the same as yours?

By the "opaque plastic sleeve", I assume you mean that part around the tub that has the latches at the top that secure the top part to the bottom part (the water tub).

I was NOT counting that piece as a "piece" since it is generally not removed by anyone (at least not by me).

That tub is the non-dishwasher safe tub & it is made of aluminum.

NOT counting that piece, the dishwaseher safe model has 3 other pieces that come apart.
One of those other 3 pieces is the center part that contains only the gasket.
That is the only piece that canNOT be put in the dishwasher.