Ready to buy CPAP machine

[BoxcarPete]

You're not the only one giving that setting mixed reviews. There are a couple things it changes: one is the pressure increase response. For Her makes it respond more quickly to Flow Limitations, but with less pressure increase, and will not respond to FLs above 12cm H2O. It also sets a new minimum pressure if you have two apnea events within a certain timeframe, I think it's three minutes, then whatever pressure you were on at that moment is the new minimum for the rest of the night if it is higher than the min was before.

I'm not totally clear on why this is supposed to be better for women, but I am an engineer in another field, so the only thing I know is how the manual states that it works.

[Nightynite]

Pete,

Sleeprider wrote a wiki article on the subject. This is a cut and paste from that.


Algorithms - AutoSet for Her
The pioneering new algorithm in the AirSense™ 10 AutoSet for Her is based on ResMed’s proven AutoSet algorithm and delivers therapeutic responses that have been tailored to the characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in women.

Research has shown that women with OSA have more upper airway resistance and flow limitation than the general OSA population1, which is why the AutoSet for Her algorithm has been designed to be more sensitive to flow limitation.

In addition, the algorithm provides more subtle changes in therapy pressure to minimize sleep disturbance. The AutoSet for Her algorithm also automatically adjusts the minimum AutoSet pressure if multiple apneas are occurring below a certain threshold

[Nightynite]

https://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.ph...Algorithms

[Sleeprider]

Let me take a shot at this. The Resmed Airsense 10 Card to Cloud costs $449 at Supplier #1, and you can reduce that by 25% with code SLEEP2024 (total $336.75 plust tax). So you can get a fully functional Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for a lot less money, and even your first load of supplies. The best part is the machine and supplies are at your door before the weekend. The machine comes with a tube, filter, so you only need a mask. Get a nasal pillows mask like the Airfit P10 or Airfit P30i. Now after doing this and saving all that money and not having any compliance requirement, you can start using the CPAP and we will help you optimize the settings and therapy results, and you can work with your doctor (not the specialist) to continue treatment, prescriptions and everything you need. You can even get insurance coverage for supplies if it makes sense. The only thing you will miss out on is a loss of privacy. You will control the information your doctor sees using the SD card or Card to Cloud uploads. Don't think you're getting anything for spending $1000 +, you can have it all for a lot less if you don't play their game. We don't call this system the Medical Mafia for nothing. As far as the Autoset For her algorithm, I have very little regard for it and very few individuals I have coached ended up using it. It's a slower response, and there are better ways to accomplish the same thing.

[NewlyDiagnosed]

Thank you all, so much! I've read all your responses and done some research.

I am persuaded that the AirSense 10 is the machine I want, rather than the 11, and that the "for her" algorithm is probably not helpful and should certainly not be a deciding factor. I am still deciding whether to go the insurance route, or take advantage of the fantastic price for the card-to-cloud model that Sleeprider posted.

BoxCarPete, I am a bit confused about your calculations about the insurance price. You said something about the cost spread over 2 years? My first month price is the cost of the first month's machine rental and initial supplies/accessories, up to my remaining deductible and then 20%. I'm going to ignore the deductible for now, because I will be using up that deductible with other costs. So my total monthly rental for the machine, for 10 months, is $17 x 10 or $170. After 10 months' rental, I will own it.

I have heard from the compliance company, who found a DME company that has the ResMed machines - Apria. After a few minutes of googling and searching here, there is no way I want to work with this company. Called my insurance company to ask for a list of DME companies in network that supply CPAP machines; was told that I would receive a list by email. It turned out that I got an email with the link to DME companies on their website. Not at all helpful - almost 4000 companies, no way to tell which ones supply CPAP equipment unless the name is an indication.

I then called the office of the sleep doctor I will be seeing in December (first available appointment; my prescription is from a doctor on the opposite coast through Lofta), and asked which company they use, and they gave me the name of a large regional company that has pretty good reviews. They don't sell much direct so I couldn't tell from their website which machines they offer. I have a call in and am hoping to hear back soon.

Even if I end up buying the machine myself, I will still need to show compliance to get the accessories/supplies through insurance, correct? The only difference between the connected AirSense 10 and the card-to-cloud version is that the former transmits data directly to DME/insurance (not sure who exactly gets it) for compliance, and the card-to-cloud version does this by periodically mailing in the SD card? I'm assuming that you can turn off transmission from the connected version after the compliance period is over?

[NewlyDiagnosed]

The DME company called back - everything sounds good, and the sleep clinic I will go to in December uses it, so I will call the compliance company and have them change the DME referral. The rep told me that they could just ship the equipment to me, after setting the pressure on the system, but they could do a mask fitting if I came in. They have an office within 30 mins so I will do that. They also work with you on masks during the compliance period. And they will help with adjustments, etc., although I imagine I'll get more help here.

They mostly sell the ResMed AirSense 10 and 11, so all good there. They sell the mask I'm thinking of starting with, the P30i. Thank you to everyone who posted information on all of this.

I'm hoping that by the time I see the doctor in December, I'll be all set with therapy. I will keep the appointment just to be in a practice in case something else comes up.

[SarcasticDave94]

Masks and other supplies through the DME, the only question I've had to answer was

"are you using the CPAP?" Yes. OK we'll send you X mask, heated hose, etc.

[NewlyDiagnosed]

That's good to know - getting referral changed now.

[srlevine1]

Pro Tip: Mask manufacturers provide free or greatly reduced demo masks to DMEs. One, make sure the mask has not been used previously and cleaned. Two, ask to keep all of the test masks. You can later test them at your leisure or use them for parts if necessary.

[Nightynite]

Here’s my tip of the day. Don’t ever give a DME your credit card number.