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Permalink Reply by Debbie Asbell on January 16, 2010 at 9:57am

Thanks Judy. The brand and model is Respironics REMstar Auto A-Flex. I'm not sure exactly how much it is total. I think I am going to have to pay the entire thing b/c of my crappy insurance and it's around $108.00/month for 10 months if I'm not mistaken. I did get ahold of my RRT but I think I need to see my sleep specialist b/c I am having problems with getting to sleep. Thanks again for your help.

Judy said:

Your local DME provider may well disagree w/me - and your sleep doctor as well - but I don't let things go beyond one month before hitting them up for some help.

First off, what brand and model CPAP are you using? That will tell us if you have a fully data capable CPAP or not. If it is NOT fully data capable then I'm going to get personal and ask you what they are charging you for it. Total. Because if it is NOT fully data capable you may well be better off taking it back and buying a fully data capable CPAP from a good online DME supplier and quite likely for the same or quite possibly less money than you are paying now. Yep, the markup by local DME provider's who must deal w/insurances can be that high.

IF your CPAP is NOT fully data capable (just because it has a data card does NOT mean it is fully data capable) then your provider's RRT and your sleep doctor haven't got a clue as to WHY you are not seeing improvement by now. Your doctor will be making adjustments to your therapy "by guess and by gosh". Who the heck needs "by guess and by gosh" therapy??

Debbie Asbell said:

I am glad you asked this question because, although my husband has insurance, there is a $2000 deductible and then it's only 60% after that. And of course I got my machine in December so I am having to pay out of pocket for it and not sure I will be able to keep afffording it much less the supplies you have to replace.

Also, I know this isn't related but I am new to the CPAP world. Is it normal to not feel a difference after 6 weeks on therapy? Most people I know raved on how they felt amazing the very first night of using it. I, however, didnt. I do have sinus problems and issues getting to sleep to begin with so I know that is probably a contributor but was curious how long I should try this before I should notice a difference. Thanks everyone!!
Debbie

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 16, 2010 at 10:16am

This is strictly my opinion, so take it for what it is worth.

I realize that at $108.00 a month for 10 months is $1,080.00. A local DME has expenses and overhead to cover. You have the use of the machine during the time you are making the payments.

If you purchased that machine it would run -- http://www.cpap.com/advanced-find-cpap-products/Self-Adjusting-CPAPS

It is possible to make a good buy on cpapauction or locally if you are worried about the cost factor. I know I picked up a great machine recently on cpapauction.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on January 16, 2010 at 10:29am

The Respironics RemStar Auto w/A-Flex is a darn good device. You were fortunate to get that from a local DME provider w/o a battle - IF that is the one you get to keep. Assuming your insurance purchases like others, you and your insurance paid up front for the accessories and that $108 a month for 10 months is the rent-to-own price.

So YOU would be paying the $108 a month in addition to what your insurance is paying for that 10 months? Meaning YOU will be paying $1080 total for your Auto on top of what your insurance is paying. This Auto was released in 2006 and has recently been replaced by the new PR SystemOne Auto. That is NOT to say that one model is better than the other. The SystemOne hasn't been out long enough for any "bugs" to have shown up in the forum - other than no software available yet.

Given the experience you've had w/this local DME provider so far - you might want to seriously consider buying online instead.

For instance: you can currently buy the M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex, Heated Humidifier, EncoreViewer and Card Reader bundle for $859 complete at cpap.com (mask not included) And look at how much more you would be getting for $121 cheaper than you are paying for just the Auto from the local provider.

Or:

you can currently buy the PR System One REMstar Auto CPAP with Heated Humidifer for less than the MSRP (manufacturer's suggested retail price) of $939 at cpap.com (mask not included).

I'd be inclined to take this provider's auto, humidifier and carry case back to the local provider and demand a refund. You will, of course, end up paying rental for the time you've had it waiting for "yours" to come in. Keep the mask.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 17, 2010 at 11:33am

I realize it is cheaper to purchase on line, unfortunately not many of us have the extra cash on hand to make this type of significant purchase out of pocket. If you charge a machine on line with a credit card, the interest rates will negate any savings. This is assuming that the price she is paying is the total charged since her deductible is not met. If her deductible isn't met, the insurance isn't going to be kicking in anything meaning they aren't paying for her machine -- she is.

Again this is strictly my own opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Jan on January 17, 2010 at 4:53pm

Do any of the online vendors mentioned deal with the insurance companies the way the local DME's do? For example, I just had them order replacement nasal pillows and I assume my DME will just be charging me my portion post insurance repayment. If you buy online, do you end up having to do the forms and deal directly with the insurance company?

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on January 17, 2010 at 7:52pm

I came up with a couple doing a google search:

http://www.liberatordirect.com/shop/default.asp?DeptID=20

http://www.cpapreplacementmask.com/landing.jsp?&media=Google&am...

I don't know anything about the companies as I have had no experience with them. I do know that a few have had success by paying out of pocket and then submitting the paperwork themselves from on line dealers. Check with the insurance company directly to get the info prior to purchase so you know what you will need as far as paperwork goes.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on January 17, 2010 at 8:28pm

sleepguide.com had an ad running quite a while from some company accepting insurances. I just don't remember which one.

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