[CPAP] Technology Refresh

[candaon1]

My CPAP is over 5 years old and my DME said I am due a technology refresh but ONLY if my machine breaks. I have a Resmed S9 Escape and I have Mdeicare and Tricare insurance, any advise is appreciated.

[OpalRose]

Hi candaon1,
Welcome to Apnea Board!

You are currently using a S9 Escape, what we call a “brick”, as it cannot give you any useful data.

Your DME is correct that you need to upgrade.  Don’t know what ”but only if machine breaks” is about.  

I would call your insurance directly and question this.  Medicare will normally pay for a replacement after 5 years.  Talk to your doctor and see if you can get an updated prescription. Don’t let a DME decide what you should have...do your research. A ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet would be a good upgrade for you. Keep your S9 as a backup.

Just to help you out a bit, read this:
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...ew-machine

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...ne_choices

Whatever you decide, go for a fully data capable Auto Cpap as described in link above.

[Walla Walla]

Wow! I think I just heard your machine break! Lucky you. 

[silentsnore]

Your DME should know better - it's up to the insurance to decide if and when they'll pay for your new equipment.

[Homerec130]

Dang, had a bad storm and now the machine won't come on. It fell off the nightstand. My only suit was at the cleaners.....

I'm in the process of getting a new machine after 6 years and will be doing another sleep study to do it. I am also shifting over the Medicare as my primary. Luckily, my DME, who I have been extremely happy with, is also under Medicare.

Homer

[DaveY]

Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her would be my first choice. Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset would be my second. Philips Respironics Dreamstation Auto 3rd.

David

[mesenteria]

Wow! I think I just heard your machine break! Lucky you. 

LOL!!  Seriously, though, if one hadn't considered it previously, this would be the correct time to relegate the old machine to 'stand-by' status as a back-up, and to simply purchase another machine and submit the receipts.  The insurer, if that meets with its published policies, should duly reimburse.  In my own case, it's every five years, with up to #300 per year for replacement parts and disposables.  I can't believe an insurer would demand the old machine for their inspection, or that a DME certify that the old one had finally given up the fan.

[PaulaO2]

I was told the same thing by my DME. Medicare/Medicaid doesn't want to auto-replace (replacing it just because of age).

I told them it was making a lot of noise during the night. Apparently, noise is the magic thing. Noise means motor and motor means expensive.

I am not advocating you lie. But list every single thing it does that creates a noise or has changed over the years.

[matthewb]

I am not advocating you lie. But list every single thing it does that creates a noise or has changed over the years.

does this include the wife's snoring?

[Mosquitobait]

FWIW, your machine is considered worn out at 15,000 hours. There is no reason for you to have to wait until the thing actually breaks. However, use the noise thing if over 15,000 hours. I think Medicare is responding to the many machines that are being replaced that are nowhere near 15,000 hours and working just fine.

The Airsense is not significantly advanced over the S9. It was primarily an architecture change, not a change in algorithm. I know, I used both machines. The difference between the S8 and the S9 was pretty dramatic.