[News] RECALL THREAD-- IMPORTANT PHILIPS DREAMSTATION & SYSTEM ONE USERS

[WakeUpTime]

Philips past and present system users should also view the following thread to see if they may have been affected by yet another Philips system flaw:

Philips System Incorrectly Sensing Vibratory Snores, Increasing Pressure Inappropriatey
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...ted-defect?

[WakeUpTime]

In a separate settlement, Philips must pay $24m for alleged kickbacks paid by the subsidiary formerly known as Respironics.

In going through some earlier postings, I just noticed your headline news post on September 1st about Philips being fined for kickbacks to DMEs.  Some of the details in that news story are quite interesting:

"Philips to Pay Over $24M for Alleged False Claims Caused by Respironics for Respiratory-Related Medical Equipment"
U.S. Department of Justice  |  Office of Public Affairs  |  September 1, 2022
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/philips-s...espiratory
Also: https://sleepreviewmag.com/practice-mana...acks-dmes/

“By paying kickbacks to obtain patient referrals, DME manufacturers are prioritizing financial incentives over patient needs, which undermines the integrity of federal health care programs.”  The settlement resolves allegations that Respironics caused DME suppliers to submit claims for ventilators, oxygen concentrators, CPAP and BiPAP machines, and other respiratory-related medical equipment that were false because Respironics provided illegal inducements to the DME suppliers.

In addition to the civil settlement, Respironics entered into a five-year corporate integrity agreement (CIA) with HHS-OIG. The agreement requires Respironics to implement and maintain a robust compliance program that includes, among other things, review of arrangements with referral sources and monitoring of Respironics’ sales force. The CIA also requires Respironics to retain an independent monitor, selected by the OIG, to assess the effectiveness of Respironics’ compliance systems.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit originally brought by Jeremy Orling, a Respironics’ employee, under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act.

[btreger]

"Philips to Pay Over $24M for Alleged False Claims Caused by Respironics for Respiratory-Related Medical Equipment"

DME manufacturers are prioritizing financial incentives over patient needs, which undermines the integrity of federal health care programs.”  The settlement resolves allegations that Respironics caused DME suppliers to submit claims for ventilators, oxygen concentrators, CPAP and BiPAP machines, and other respiratory-related medical equipment that were false because Respironics provided illegal inducements to the DME suppliers.

I think it is important to note that this problem is not just a Respironics one. This is the basic business model of the majority of DMEs. I can only speak from my own experiences, but I am constantly bombarded with e-mails and phone calls from the two DMEs I do business with informing me I can now re-order replacement parts. 

In one example I ordered a Resmed N20 mask to try. I called them to request their return options because I did not like the mask. I also told them not to bill my insurance company. After I returned the mask I found that they went ahead and billed my insurance. I notified my insurance company and they canceled their reimbursement to the DME.

[oldgreenhead]

All,

Is anyone on this forum aware whether (or not) any registered ASV users have received replacement units.  I registered about 30 days after the recall and have heard nothing.  I have assumed that is because I have an ASV unit and there were none available.  I am fairly certain that at the time of the recall, Philips had not manufactured any DS2 ASV units.

oldgreenhead

[gavincwb]

I received an email from Philips. where can I get a new prescription? Because I already forgot which doctor I visit. And my machine was bought from eBay.


Before your new device can ship, we need to contact your physician to obtain a current prescription. This will ensure that your new remediated device is ready for your use upon arrival.
We also need you to verify your legal name (including the spelling), date of birth and your shipping address so that we can ship your replacement to you.

You can provide all the requested information by simply responding to this email or by calling us directly at 1-857-758-7090
Information Needed:
• Physician Name
• Physician Phone Number
• Legal name (Please check spelling)
• Date of Birth
• Shipping Address

Once this information is received, our team will contact your doctor to obtain your current prescription with settings.

[pswartz]

All,

Is anyone on this forum aware whether (or not) any registered ASV users have received replacement units.  I registered about 30 days after the recall and have heard nothing.  I have assumed that is because I have an ASV unit and there were none available.  I am fairly certain that at the time of the recall, Philips had not manufactured any DS2 ASV units.

oldgreenhead

Mine is getting close. The status is now that it needs my old device settings or an Rx.  I tried to upload the settings from the sd card using their app, but it failed.  I sent Phillips my Rx directly as well as asked my dr to fax the requested info.   So perhaps light at the end of the tunnel for BiPap asv users.

[ST Dog]

I am fairly certain that at the time of the recall, Philips had not manufactured any DS2 ASV units.

It'll be like all the BiPAP machines, a new build DS1 or refurbished DS1.

No signs of a DS2 variant for BiPAP or other advanced machines yet. (One FB poster claimed a DS2 BiPAP but never followed up with photos or information to verify)

[BigT56]

Well I still have not.  I've called them four times.  I was given the usual Company line, that they were backlogged etc. I filed practically the day the recalled was announced. They acknowledged that yet still gave me the same line. 
I finally spoke with someone who went through my file and asked some questions. She said she would emphasize the fact that my sleep apnea is due to "Central sleep apnea".  Basically for those who do not know, it means my brain does not always tell my body to breath.  I've had it all my life and knowing that answered a lot questions. 

My unit came with the attachable heated humidifier. Has anyone receive a replacement unit?  Did they also replace that unit as part of the replacement policy?

[JJJ]

My unit came with the attachable heated humidifier. Has anyone receive a replacement unit?  Did they also replace that unit as part of the replacement policy?

The replacement that I received was a new DS1 BiPAP all alone - no humidifier, no SD card, no modem, nada, not even an air filter. They included a second box nested inside their shipping box to ship my original machine+humidifer back to them, including a shipping label, and even some tape to seal the box, but that's not gonna happen. My original machine+humidifier sits in a cupboard, and that's where it's going to stay. I paid for it, so it's mine. There was an instruction sheet explaining how to take the humidifier off the old machine and add it to the new one, but I have never used the humidifier anyway, so it is still attached to the original machine in the cupboard. I didn't even clean off the two years of dust and dirt on it. I did transfer the SD card to the new macine, and gave it a new air filter.

More interestingly, the new machine had no changes to it factory default settings, no doubt because I never told them anything, I never used their software, and I doubt my provider told them anything either. I knew the secret handshake to get into the clinician settings, which still worked on the new machine, so I had the settings handled in a few minutes. After the first night with it I popped the SD card into the computer, where OSCAR happily downloaded the data, including the serial number and information necessary to add the machine to its list of my machines. My AHI for the night was 2.0, and my overall average over the years is 1.8, so apparently I got the settings correct.

[BigT56]

Well that's not good news.  I guess I'll see what cost savings I'll get by buying my own humidifier on eBay vs. going through Medicare and paying co-pay.  The DME companies all charge Medicare full retail and some even more.  Though it'll be a PIA.  The good news is my local DME provider is really helpful. They always try and find me a work around so I can save money.

Thanks for your reply!