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Advice for home med company
Hi All,
I'm working on finding a good company for my home medical supply. I called a place that I use for my mom's supplies -- they don't do cpap but they advised me on another company. I called them and they only offer the Respironics M Series and one other machines. They have a mask buy-back; if your mask isn't working out they buy it back if you've only had a few months, otherwise she said my insurance will pay for a new mask every three months. Also, they have RT's that come to the home.
Should I go with this small local company or one of the bigger firms? I want the data capable machine and it sounds like that's what they have.
I live in Southern New Hampshire, so if someone has experience with a good company here, or in northeastern Massachusetts, or if you use a big outfit that you like -- I'm all ears.
Anne in NH
I'm working on finding a good company for my home medical supply. I called a place that I use for my mom's supplies -- they don't do cpap but they advised me on another company. I called them and they only offer the Respironics M Series and one other machines. They have a mask buy-back; if your mask isn't working out they buy it back if you've only had a few months, otherwise she said my insurance will pay for a new mask every three months. Also, they have RT's that come to the home.
Should I go with this small local company or one of the bigger firms? I want the data capable machine and it sounds like that's what they have.
I live in Southern New Hampshire, so if someone has experience with a good company here, or in northeastern Massachusetts, or if you use a big outfit that you like -- I'm all ears.
Anne in NH
Views: 73
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anne Pf on
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Got my order for my equipment. The doctor ordered:
Auto cpap set between 9 and 16 with heated humifider
Optilife nasal cushion comfort prongs
Any idea what it means???
Anne
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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these guys sound fine -- a lot of the times with CPAP you do better with a small 'mom and pop' than a bigger firm. i like their mask policy, and i like that they only seem to carry the top of the line Respironics machine which, incidentally, is the one i have.
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this means you're authorized to get the same machine as me, a respironics m series with a flex (c flex is fine too). it's a fully data capable machine, so you'll be able to get data off of it to share with us and your doctor, if you're willing to do so, and to get ideas as to how to improve your treatment.
auto cpap between 9 and 16 means you'll be getting pressure between those two points, depending on your needs throughout the night. if you're in REM sleep and having apneas, for example, and the pressure isn't enough to stop the apneas at 9, the machine will "know" and bump you up to a higher pressure setting, although it is capped at 16, so it will never go above that (unless you or your doctor up the maximum pressure setting).
the nasal cushion mask means you're starting off with a minimally invasive mask that doesn't cover the nose or the mouth -- it just has "plugs" which insert into the nose. this is a great mask if you can use it an not leak.
make sense?
Anne Pf said:Got my order for my equipment. The doctor ordered:
Auto cpap set between 9 and 16 with heated humifider
Optilife nasal cushion comfort prongs
Any idea what it means???
Anne
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Thank you, Mike, that is very clear. My only questions was about the "auto" cpap, and you explained that quite well. I am amazed that these machines are so smart.
Will a Respironics M series machine have the "ramp" feature that I've heard about?
Anne
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Yes, it has the ramp feature. I don't use it. But it's there. Also, about how smart the machines are... they're pretty smart, yes, but they are reactive to your breathing needs, meaning they can only adjust to what problems you already have, but cannot "sense" an apnea/hypopnea "coming on," if that makes any sense. that said, i agree with you that they're pretty darn smart.
Anne Pf said:Thank you, Mike, that is very clear. My only questions was about the "auto" cpap, and you explained that quite well. I am amazed that these machines are so smart.
Will a Respironics M series machine have the "ramp" feature that I've heard about?
Anne
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Well, I finally have an appointment to get my CPAP. I called the sleep doctor and nagged them, then I called around to companies, found one I liked, called the sleep doctor's office back and told them where to call in the order. Didn't know I had such hutzpa. The supply company then called and offered an appointment in a few days, but if I go to them I can do it tomorrow. So I am going tomorrow simply because I need to get this show on the road -- whether or not it's going to work for me, waiting is NOT working for me.
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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The Respironics M Series Plus w/C-Flex is NOT fully data capable despite it might or might not have a data card. The Resipronics M Series Pro w/C-Flex IS fully data capable tho the data available via the LCD screen is somewhat limited. On the other hand, Respironics does offer patient software, EncoreViewer which also requires a cable reader - but - insurance doesn't pay for that, it would be an out of pocket expense.
IF the other brand they handle is Resmed - go for the Resmed S8 Elilte II w/EPR. Easier access to and more data available via the LCD screen. Whilst both the Respironics M Series and the Resmed provide EXCELLENT therapy, the Resmeds are the better devices. No PITA power brick, no blue lights you can't turn off, no dropping data one or two nights a month ...
Actually, you often get better, more persoalized service from the smaller mom & pop type local DME suppliers than the larger or national firms. Apria doesn't have a particularly good reputation overall altho it does vary from office to office w/some providing wonderful service. Lincaire doesn't fare much better but there again service varies from office to office.
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Ooops! I apologize. I only read the original post and didn't scrolll down to see there had been some responses. Moi bad! Sounds like you've got a great sleep doctor, he's ordered a great device for you by ordering an APAP (auto PAP). Do you know, was the OptiLife the mask you used during your titration study?
The OptiLife as you describe it is a nasal pillows style mask. It also comes w/a "cradle cushion" which works like a nasal cushion in place of the nasal pillows. I've been playing around w/the OptiLife myself lately.
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I beleive it was the mask I used at my titration study, yes, and I did well that one night with it -- we'll see how it works over the long haul.
I am confused about the Respironics M series. Did the fact that my doctor ordered the auto version mean that I will get a data capable machine? That's what I want, and I'm willing to buy the software out of my pocket.
Anne
Judy said:BR>The OptiLife as you describe it is a nasal pillows style mask. It also comes w/a "cradle cushion" which works like a nasal cushion in place of the nasal pillows. I've been playing around w/the OptiLife myself lately.
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Anne, yes, the fact that your doctor ordered an auto version of the Respironics M Series means you will get a fully data capable machine. As long as you make sure your machine is an M series that is an auto version, you're in the clear, and have a darn good machine.
Anne Pf said:I beleive it was the mask I used at my titration study, yes, and I did well that one night with it -- we'll see how it works over the long haul.
I am confused about the Respironics M series. Did the fact that my doctor ordered the auto version mean that I will get a data capable machine? That's what I want, and I'm willing to buy the software out of my pocket. Anne Judy said:BR>The OptiLife as you describe it is a nasal pillows style mask. It also comes w/a "cradle cushion" which works like a nasal cushion in place of the nasal pillows. I've been playing around w/the OptiLife myself lately.
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here's a list of fully data capable CPAP machines
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Permalink Reply by Melissa on
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Well take it from a respiratory therapist that works for a small company, go with the small company. I have worked for both, and I will tell you that the smaller companies will take much better care of you as a patient. some of the larger companies don't even use respiratory therapists to set-you up. At the small company i work for, we offer a wide range of cpap and bipap machines, as well as almost any mask you can think of.
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