Escape Auto--Let's Clear this Up

why did my comment double post? sorry folks because I have no idea how to fit it

naturalisbest wrote:Why did my comment double post? sorry folks because I have no idea how to fit it

Double posts usually occur when you go ahead and post your reply, then decide to change something in the text. Instead of going to 'View your posts' OR 'View your submitted message" and then using the 'edit' button, if you backspace in your web browser to your old text box (which you can do in Explorer or Firefox), then you often get a double post appear on the forum. If this happens use 'ctrl a' to copy all your last double text changes, so you don't lose them, then back out and delete the double post with the 'X' or delete button (you can only do this if someone has not posted after you did). If you're stuck with your double post still visible go in with 'edit' and delete all the text then put in something like "Double post deleted" so everybody knows what happened.

naturalisbest wrote:I would like to know why Resmed sells an inferior machine to the good one recommended by everyone and the two look exactly alike. Why would they confuse people like that? They should have pulled the look-alike with almost the same name off the market. I see a lot of people getting suck with the inferior one here just like I got stuck with inferior masks (at least for me). We shouldn't have to go in for a sleep test and know the Exact Model Number of the machine or we're screwed.

It's not just Resmed. But the S9 Escape Auto is in a special class because it's the only APAP out there that does not record full efficacy data.

That said: All the System Ones look exactly alike unless you know where to find the model name and model number. All the Icons look exactly alike unless you know where to find the model name and number.

And for confusing model names, the worst of the lot (dis)honors has to go to PR:

The System One Series 60 CPAP Plus with C-Flex (model 260) is a brick
The System One Series 60 CPAP Pro with C-Flex+ (model 460 and read as "CPAP Pro with C-Flex Plus) is a full efficacy data fixed pressure CPAP with a 30-day APAP trial.

As for why the bricks exist in the first place: Most sleep docs and most DMEs do not seem to be interested in looking at the efficacy data and the bricks are cheaper to buy from the manufacturer and the insurance companies pay the exact same amount for an CPAP/APAP. Hence the DME makes more money upfront when they set a customer up with an S9 Escape brick than they do when they set the person up with an S9 AutoSet. So the DMEs order lots of S9 Escapes from Resmed and use that as the default machine. And Resmed regards the DMEs as their customers, and hence continues to make Escapes (and Escape Autos) because that's what the DMEs prefer to purchase from Resmed.

Same thing is true for the bricks from OTHER manufacturers by the way.

Let me tell you that you also will want a script of the mask you want, as well. It must say the actual name of the mask and "medically necessary" or whatever today's saying is that means No Substitutes. Otherwise, you end up with a mask they think is comparable and just happens to be what they have on hand. I asked for a specific pillow mask that was very popular that the time online here (thus I knew the exact name and even the manufacturer) for my last test. I got stuck with a choice of a pillow called the GoLife or a Swift Fx. I tried the Swift Fx as it was also very popular and it folded over in my nose on the left nostril so I took the GoLife. I endured that thing with felt wrapped around it on the upper cheek bone plastic that was too high up on my face until I was eligible for a new mask.

I disagree with this suggestion, because often it takes several different masks until a newbie can settle on THE mask that works best for them. If the rx says one particular model of mask, then the DME will have to go back to the doctor to get a new rx for the new mask the patient wants to try. DME's already don't want to switch out masks because of the paperwork involved, this just adds MORE complication. The proper mask rx should read "Mask of patient's choice".

If your DME had only a limited number of masks, your DME was lousy. They should have a wide selection, because every face is different and you need to opportunity to switch out masks (and try them on!) until you find what works best for you. If you had a specific mask in mind they should have ordered it for you, or you should have gone elsewhere.

As for why bricks exist, it all comes down to the bottom line. WE ARE NOT THE CUSTOMER in the eyes of the manufacturers. The DME's, doctors, and insurers are the ones that make profit for the manufacturers, we are incidental to the process--a necessary evil as far as they are concerned, but not one they care about pleasing to any degree (there are probably 100's of thousands of brick CPAP's lurking in closets of Americans--paid for and unused). DME's want cheap machines to maximize their profit margins, most doctors don't know the difference and don't care anyway, and insurers are happy to see overall costs kept down, too. So the manufacturers oblige by producing bricks that they can offer at the lowest possible wholesale price.