Compliance - so what?

[Hydrangea]

I spent a good amount of time on the phone with my insurance company. They do NOT require compliance nor compliance checks/info.

My DME (which is also my sleep dr's office) is insisting on compliance checks.

If my insurance doesn't care, then what's the big deal?

Mainly, I don't want to sleep next to a cellular component in the CPAP machine (it causes me insomnia and restless sleep).

[Mosquitobait]

Ask for Respironics machine. They will give you a separate modem. Just remove it and store it in your case. Disabling the modem feature in a Resmed machine is possible but likely will void your warranty if done by an unauthorized technician. You can certaintly do it. I think someone uploaded photos. You need a torx screwdriver (was about $10 at the local hardware store).

This was one thread on how to do it. I thought I saw photos on it somewhere as well, but don't know how to find that thread.

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...dem+resmed

If you plan to get a Resmed machine, call the DME and tell them that you would like to talk to the person who repairs their Resmed machines. Arrange to have them disable it before you take it. It will solve both your problem and the risk to your warranty.

[Galactus]

Can just wrap the damn thing in aluminium foil and mess up the reception, then tell me the darn thing is broken lol

[Sleeprider]

I spent a good amount of time on the phone with my insurance company. They do NOT require compliance nor compliance checks/info.

My DME (which is also my sleep dr's office) is insisting on compliance checks.

If my insurance doesn't care, then what's the big deal?

Mainly, I don't want to sleep next to a cellular component in the CPAP machine (it causes me insomnia and restless sleep).

If compliance monitoring is not required for insurance reimbursement, then you have the right to decline the request of your doctor to maintain a record you do not want kept, and you can decline to provide that information. If it is merely the cellular data issue, then tell them you will bring in the SD card at your next appointment, and discuss your CPAP treatment and effectiveness.

Be clear about your limits, and how you want your care managed. You cannot be forced to provide anything you do not want to consent to.

[OpalRose]

You say your insurance doesn't care. Normally, if they are paying rental to a DME for your machine, then they care.
It depends on whatever agreement you have with the DME and insurance on payment of the machine.

The DME will want to cover their butt by enforcing compliance, simply because they want to be paid by your insurance.

Usually, compliance is only the first 90 days, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

I personally don't like being monitored by "big brother" either, so I understand what you are saying. Just make sure you are getting the correct information from your insurance. I have found that out of 10 people you may talk to at insurance, one or two might have a clue. Same goes with DME!

[justMongo]

Do not these machines have an "Airplane Mode" that shuts off communications?

[sonicboom]

Do not these machines have an "Airplane Mode" that shuts off communications?

Indeed they do.

[Hydrangea]

Do not these machines have an "Airplane Mode" that shuts off communications?

Indeed they do.

Is the airplane mode for the Bluetooth function, the cellular aspect, or both?

I'd also like to disable the Bluetooth.

[PoolQ]

it is for the same things as a laptop or cell phone on a place. it is airplane mode after all. it turns off ALL RF emissions from the equipment. This will do what you want.

[Hydrangea]

Ask for Respironics machine. They will give you a separate modem. Just remove it and store it in your case. Disabling the modem feature in a Resmed machine is possible but likely will void your warranty if done by an unauthorized technician.

Thank you for all of that info. I'd been trying to figure out how the 2 machines varied in that way, and that's very helpful.

At my appt earlier this week, they were going to give me the DreamStation. After further review here, I've decided that IS the one I want. And reading what you wrote about the 2 machines only reassures me that that's the better choice.

Can just wrap the damn thing in aluminium foil and mess up the reception, then tell me the darn thing is broken lol

Yes! Great idea! I'll connect it via an aluminum tube to the tinfoil hat on my head!

If compliance monitoring is not required for insurance reimbursement, then you have the right to decline the request of your doctor to maintain a record you do not want kept, and you can decline to provide that information. If it is merely the cellular data issue, then tell them you will bring in the SD card at your next appointment, and discuss your CPAP treatment and effectiveness.

Be clear about your limits, and how you want your care managed. You cannot be forced to provide anything you do not want to consent to.

Thank you!!!!!! I feel very empowered after reading what you wrote. I will go into my appt tomorrow with your words on my mind.

You say your insurance doesn't care. Normally, if they are paying rental to a DME for your machine, then they care.
It depends on whatever agreement you have with the DME and insurance on payment of the machine.

The DME will want to cover their butt by enforcing compliance, simply because they want to be paid by your insurance.

Usually, compliance is only the first 90 days, so it shouldn't be a big deal.

I personally don't like being monitored by "big brother" either, so I understand what you are saying. Just make sure you are getting the correct information from your insurance. I have found that out of 10 people you may talk to at insurance, one or two might have a clue. Same goes with DME!

My insurance company is easy to work with. We had a good, long, and productive conversation yesterday, and they absolutely do not require compliance.

DME told me compliance would be for the entirety of the 13 month rental. If it would've only been 90 days, I may have just gone along with it. But 13 months is a very long time to be spied on, as well as sleeping next to that radiation.

And yes, the big brother aspect entirely creeps me out.