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Which Machine? What is a data capable machine? What is a compliance only machine?

I recommend that you do your homework prior to visiting your DME.

Typically the DME will give you a "bare-bones" machine that can supply you with adequate treatment -- IF you do not encounter any problems with your therapy. If you find yourself experiencing difficulties you may be in store for a rude awakening when your doctor can not pinpoint the trouble since you have a "bare-bones" machine that simply records compliance data. Meaning all it does on the data card is tell how many hours/nights you used your machine. Insurance companies and Medicare want to make sure that you are using your machine prior to making the final payment and often will request the DME to "read" your data and send to them. They will ask for your card and tell you that they are reading the "data" -- the number of hours/days you have used your machine. The data does NOT tell them useful data on leak rates, AHI, snores, etc. These bare bones machines cost the least amount to produce and sale -- hence the DME makes more profit from these machines since insurance companies and Medicare pay the same amount for any cpap machine regardless if it is the cheapest or most expensive cpap (the speciality machines are not included in this such as the vpap's, bilevels, etc.).

Respironics made the REMstar cpaps and you would need to get at least a REMstar Pro II for it to record useful data. These machines are no longer made and getting a brand new spanking new one is a long shot since productions stopped a couple of years ago on them. Be sure if you are given this machine to check the total number of hours the machine has. The REMstar Auto is another good model that records data. These machines are often referred to as the "tanks".

Respironics also makes the M series Remstar machines. In order to get data you would need to acquire at least the M series Pro. Even better the M series Auto with A flex. Both of these record data that can help enhance your therapy.

In order to obtain the data from the machines I suggest you purchase EncoreViewer and card reader bundle. If you do a google search, you can often find the bundle at a reduced price.

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Replies to This Discussion

My experience has been w/the Resmed xPAPs. I echo SleepyCarol's advice: educate yourself BEFORE you accept an xPAP from your local DME supplier. Call your insurance and ask them what local DME CPAP suppliers they are contracted with. Hopefully you will have the option of more than one as that gives you more bargaining/negotiating room to get the xPAP you want.

The Resmed S8 Compact and S8 Escape are NOT fully data capable, nor is the S8 II Escape. The fully data capable Resmed xPAPs are the
1] Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR
2] Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR
3] Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage
4] Resmed S8 II AutoSet w/EPR
Thanks ladies. My TANK works great. Need to get it pumped up to 15 here soon. I've got great readings, but only tells me I got to go higher. G

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