+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? (/Thread-Fastest-way-to-get-new-ASV-machine-under-urgent-circumstances)
Pages:
1
2
Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - Midge 82 - 03-31-2023
I have a Aircurve 10 ASV that is giving me almost nothing - it's definitely not putting out enough air. I found out today that I am eligible for a new machine. However, it will take some apparently unknowable (according to my existing provider, J & L) amount of time for me to get a new one. I mean, they won't say if it's a week or two months. I asked for a loaner and they claim they have none. I could buy an ASV outright if medicare would reimburse me. Does anyone know if this is possible, and what would be the best/fastest place to get it? I have pretty severe sleep apnea and a recent study, so there's no reason they SHOULD turn it down.
Alternatively, does anyone know a good place to get a loaner? Or HOW to make something happen quickly. I am desperate because I am having severe symptoms that are just like the ones I had before I started treatment (chest pain, shortness of breath, etc).
Thank you for any advice!
midge
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - Sleeprider - 03-31-2023
The Aircurve 10 ASV is immediately available from many online suppliers, usually at a much lower cost than your DME will charge. I don't know what supplier you are using, but you might want to go through your insurance company list of in-network providers and call around until you can find one that can deliver upon receipt of the prescription and insurance authorization. I suspect the reluctance of your supplier to provide a machine sooner is that Medicare authorization is unpredictable. They might sell you a machine sooner if you accept financial responsibility in the event Medicare authorization cannot be obtained.
Alternatively, call your insurance provider and explain that your DME is unable to supply the equipment you need in a timely manner, and cannot provide a delivery date. Request permission to buy "out of network" from an online provider. You can call around and get costs and delivery dates before calling insurance, it may help. We have had other members with this problem and the insurance company will often reimburse you at out-of-network rate for your costs. Supplier #30 claims to work to get insurance reimbursements and has a quick insurance check on their web page.
Another alternative way to get a machine immediately may be to use an online used equipment provider like DotMed. The sellers on that channel frequently have moderately to lightly used machines for $800 to $1200 USD and deliver immediately. For even less money ($400-$800) they also sell the Resmed S9 VPAP Adapt model 36007. This is a fully capable ASV auto machine and is the predecessor to the Aircurve 10 and uses the same therapy algorithm. This would become a standby machine after your new one finally arrives from the DME.
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - Midge 82 - 04-01-2023
Thank you for your suggestions, Sleeprider!
Advice Re: dying ASV and purchasing used machine - Midge 82 - 04-01-2023
My Aircurve 10 ASV is very near death. I think with the tiny puffs of air it gives me now, I'm better off not using it at all, because not enough air actually makes it feel suffocating.
First question: Since I have fairly devastating symptoms without it, and since I'm forced to wait to get a new one through insurance, I'm biting the bullet and buying a used one as a backup, so I'll hopefully get it sooner. In searching for one, most of the time the listings will say how many hours are already clocked on the machine. I'm wondering if these numbers tend to be honestly revealed, or if the numbers related to usage can be rolled back, like pre-digital odometers on cars? Or is it remotely realistic for a machine to have like 50 minutes? The seller said that he sometimes even has machines with 0 minutes, but in that case it's because it has a new motor. Since I might have little recourse, I'm wondering if it would be inadvisable to buy a machine that claimed such low mileage, or if there's not really a way to fake this?
Second question: Is there any way to troubleshoot a nearly dead machine? Or a way to try to get more out of it before it fully croaks? Could it help to increase the pressure settings, or is that like beating a dead horse? I've changed out the hose and mask, just to make sure I didn't have an invisible leak. I will do much better healthwise if I can find out a way to get it to hobble along until I can get another one.
I'd really appreciate any suggestions on either/both of these topics.
Many thanks.
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - Sleeprider - 04-01-2023
Midge, I merged your new thread asking if used machines are honestly represented and troubleshooting an old machine because they are a logical branch of your original question.
I'm not aware of any way that the run-hours of a machine can be altered other than by an authorized repair facility that rebuilds machines, or the manufacturer. The hours are recorded on a chip on the main board and it is not resettable. The more likely fraud is to ship something other than what was advertised. The sellers I referred you to have many sales and reviews and are not like buying on Craigslist or other person to person marketplaces.
The motor on your aircurve 10 ASV can be replaced with a new motor from AliExpress if you have some reasonable DIY skills. There are threads on this forum and Youtube videos describing how to do this. Since it is unlikely there is anything wrong with the firmware, the problem with pressure is either leaks in the air-path or the turbine that generates the pressure. So I'm confident a motor transplant should resolve the issue. How many hours on your current machine?
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - Midge 82 - 04-01-2023
Thanks for your reply, Sleeprider. I have about 10,600 hours on my machine. I have pretty limited DIY experience, but I maybe could find someone to help. I guess it all depends if it would take more time or less to receive the new motor.
Thanks again.
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - srlevine1 - 04-02-2023
I definitely would contact the insurance company or Medicare regarding an urgent condition. A physician's note attesting to the serious nature of your condition is most helpful. I would also reserve the "nuclear option" by considering an attorney's letter "putting them on notice" that an emergency condition exists and the process must be expedited. Of course, the easiest option is to pay out-of-pocket and seek reimbursement citing your exigent circumstances as documented by your physician's note.
Best of luck, and be well. -- Steve
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - Sleeprider - 04-02-2023
Midge I have over 23000 hours on my Vauto, and although I get a "Motor Life Exceeded" message on the screen, it still operates normally. Some DMEs are capable of testing pressure on your machine and if your supplier has that equipment, it might help move things forward. If you could please post an OSCAR chart of your therapy showing the Daily Details page with Events, Flow Rate, Pressure, Mask pressure and Leaks, We could probably interpret the machine's performance and check your settings right here. Do you have a personal computer, laptop or Mac that you can download and install OSCAR?
If you can't post an Oscar chart, what are your settings?
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - StratCat48 - 04-02-2023
Hey Midge, have you tried changing out the air filter recently or even run the machine without it to see if the air flow increases? The description of your issue is similar to what happened with my DreamStation 2 when the ultrafine filter plugged up prematurely and I was gasping for air during the night. May not be the issue, but thought I'd throw is out there as a remote possibility.
RE: Fastest way to get new ASV machine under urgent circumstances? - SideSleeper - 04-02-2023
I'm pretty certain Medicare will not reimburse you--they pay a DME a lot less than you might pay getting one privately unless you could find a good used one. Call hem to make sure.