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Archived SH Discussions [Q&A Thread from Sep-2011 thru May 2014]
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
It could be that your machine only records time used and nothing else. I've tried my useless S9 Escape with SleepyHead and some days were there, others were not. Just guessing here.
PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
(04-15-2012, 01:23 AM)digidoc664 Wrote: When you did see the images and noted that only 4 pieces of data from 159 files were imported, did that give you insight as to what I might do differently to successfully use JediMark's potentially useful SleepyHead SW to view my PRS1 compliance data?

Sorry,digidoc, I must confess I am at a loss. However, since your machine is not data compliant, and a similar skipping reporting experience occurred to another non-data-compliant machine user (Paula02), I suspect (as you must)it is a conflict between the machine and the software. We are agreed, I think, that in the best of circumstances, you could only get your hours to show in a summary view as a bar chart, and possibly, although I don't know this, as to hours of usage. Your chart did seem to show usage times, although we don't know if those were accurate, since they occurred some time ago, unless you have a separate method of determination (notebook, good memory,etc). I guess JediMark is the best source as to this issue. If - when - you get a resolution, it would be great if you would post the solution here.
Breathing keeps you alive. And PAP helps keep you breathing!
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
(04-15-2012, 01:23 AM)digidoc664 Wrote: When you did see the images and noted that only 4 pieces of data from 159 files were imported, did that give you insight as to what I might do differently to successfully use JediMark's potentially useful SleepyHead SW to view my PRS1 compliance data?

Three forums and a bug report have yet to yield advice from SH users who have experienced my concern and found a successful solution.

you should give encore viewer a look. encore viewer is a respironics tool, just like resscan is a resmed tool. not sure is encore viewer is in our downoad area. if not, send me a pm and i'll hook ya up.
First Diagnosed July 1990

MSgt (E-7) USAF (Medic)
Retired 1968-1990
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
Thanks to GUB, using EncoreViewer has verified that there is no problem with SleepyHead SW. Others have offered useful suggestions that I had already tried, so the solution GUB provided actually led me to understand that no SW is going to read the SD card data. Apparently the 4 data point SH did recognize are in text files created at initiation of PRS1 usage and confirmed by first attempts to read the SD data files.

The only way to use files on SD card would be to import as raw data into an MS Excel spreadsheet, manipulate data until useful data points were created, then generate my own reports. I could also just scan the data files in MS Explorer and get a "picture" of my usage.

Instead of either of those processes, I will get an upgrade to my PRS1 to either Pro or Auto model and get much more useful data than just compliance - which no one yet is asking to see.

Thanks again to all who have taken time to share their experience in order to "enlighten" me, when what I wanted was a simple solution.
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
(04-18-2012, 04:13 PM)digidoc664 Wrote: The only way to use files on SD card would be to import as raw data into an MS Excel spreadsheet, manipulate data until useful data points were created, then generate my own reports. I could also just scan the data files in MS Explorer and get a "picture" of my usage.

You may be able to scroll through the on-screen menus and get the information about number of hours used, number of days used, average number of hours per day used, and so forth.

There's not much more information than that available, even if you could somehow read those files.

Quote:Instead of either of those processes, I will get an upgrade to my PRS1 to either Pro or Auto model and get much more useful data than just compliance - which no one yet is asking to see.

Thanks again to all who have taken time to share their experience in order to "enlighten" me, when what I wanted was a simple solution.

Well, you got your simple solution. Just throw money at the problem and get a new machine. Smile
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
Interesting what both health insurers are willing to pay to ensure (perhaps sometime in my future) that I am using the equipment. Their concern is not primarily economic, but assurance that procedure is necessary. Both ensure that any interaction with medical professionals meets standard guidelines and that no fraud is being perpetrated. On several occasions regarding service costs to me, I have been told by one or both insurers that "we know best" about the insurance claims. Both insurers discount, sometimes rather heavily, what is actually paid against a medical service provider's bill. But in the case of "rent-to-own" my CPAP equipment, they are willing to pay more to ensure I use it.

So, upgrading to more effective equipment will amount to a small increase in cost to them in order to ensure my medical needs are being met and monitored appropriately.

As many who have worked hard most of their lives and paid regularly for health care protection, I am now able to benefit when I most need the support. Some are no so fortunate with their health insurance and must bear a heavy burden when they can least afford to do so. I'm grateful to my insurers and watch the costs fairly carefully. I also understand that they need assurance that neither my wife nor I are abusing the protection afforded us.

The upgrade in equipment may seem a "simple solution" but only in that it actually solves the problem of getting and using useful data to manage my respiratory health.

Welcome to the discussion, Sleepster.
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
(04-18-2012, 10:32 PM)digidoc664 Wrote: Their concern is not primarily economic, but assurance that procedure is necessary. Both ensure that any interaction with medical professionals meets standard guidelines and that no fraud is being perpetrated.

Wow. If you believe that, lets talk about some ocean-front property I have in Arizona. :grin: The ONLY interest insurance companies have is related to making a profit - everything else is secondary. They are, by definition, a for-profit company, organized as such and answering to shareholders seeking just that. The issue of whether a procedure is necessary is, again, profit oriented - if the procedure is not required, not necessary (in their opinion) or not covered under their guidelines, they don't pay for it, and hence don't waste money and therefore make a greater profit. And there is nothing wrong with that model, as long as you understand the motivations involved. It is generally called capitalism.

(04-18-2012, 10:32 PM)digidoc664 Wrote: So, upgrading to more effective equipment will amount to a small increase in cost to them in order to ensure my medical needs are being met and monitored appropriately.

They don't care what your needs are, as long as you follow their guidelines for payment. Insurance companies are among the most detail oriented businesses in the world. If you, as an insured, have bad breath, and their formulary requires a payment of X for your variety of bad breath, then you will (in most cases) receive that payment, either directly or made on your behalf to a provider of some sort. Sometimes, of course, they need a *nudge* to make that payment.

If things work out for your benefit, great. You selected (or acquired, depending on the insurance) insurance which meets your needs. Don't, however, attribute their actions as seeking benefits for you, or any altruistic motive. They are merely following their written contract to provide certain services in return for the money or benefits they receive from insuring you. And you occasionally have to "push" to insure that they do, in fact, follow that contract!

And don't rely on them to look out for you. They have no interest in doing so, nor should that be expected of them. They are not in that business.
Breathing keeps you alive. And PAP helps keep you breathing!
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
(04-19-2012, 11:29 AM)JumpStart Wrote: The ONLY interest insurance companies have is related to making a profit - everything else is secondary.

Their fear of punishment for violation of the law, be it in the form of fines or legal judgements, is also of interest to them. I can see how, in some cases, that fear may get in the way of their profiteering. At least that's the way the system seems to work.
Sleepster

INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
Have to agree with JumpStart here. DMEs (Durable Medical Equipment suppliers) get reimbursed a flat fee (roughly $1500) for dispensing normal CPAP (whether it's a non-data-capable inexpensive model that cost them $500, a data-capable constant-pressure CPAP costing them $700, or an Auto-CPAP costing them $800 - they all use the same medical coding and reimbursement schedule). Nearly all Medical insurance companies must follow Medicare guidelines on CPAP reimbursement, which has the $1500 payment. If they can get you to agree to a low-end $500 model, they will have a $1000 profit. If you (or your doctor) insists upon a higher-end $1000 Auto-CPAP, they make only $500 profit.

They have a vested financial interest in giving you the cheapest CPAP they can find, which maximizes their profit, in other words.

On the so-called "rent to own" system for new Sleep Apnea patients, the only difference is that the costs are spread out over several months to ensure that you're going to be "compliant" with your CPAP therapy. If you don't remain compliant (use the CPAP machine a minimum of 4 hours every night), they will stop paying the DME fees and you will either have to return the CPAP or pay for it out of your own pocket.

There is only one reason why an insurer sees a need to make sure you're compliant with your therapy: it's called cost-control. If you aren't using the machine, they can save money by stopping the "rent-to-own" payments to the DME, thus saving them any future payments towards the cost of your CPAP.

So, for brand-new CPAP users, instead of charging Medicare or the insurance company the full $1500 at one time, it is spread out over several months. Usually, after you have remained compliant for at least 12 months, your insurance company will give the "go ahead" to your DME to charge the remaining balance of the $1500 allotted to them, at which point the CPAP becomes your own property, free and clear.

Quote:Both insurers discount, sometimes rather heavily, what is actually paid against a medical service provider's bill.

Not really. Under the current regulations, they are required to pay $1500 to the DME for your CPAP equipment. They will pay no more than they have to. DMEs can "charge" whatever they please for the CPAP machines, but Medicare or Insurance is only going to pay a max of $1500 for the whole process, no matter what.

Many times what happens is that a DME will "say" that the machine and humidifier, mask, etc. has a list price of $1800 or more. They will send a bill for that amount to the insurance company, knowing full well that the max is going to be $1500. But even though the DME claims the retail price is $1800, the truth is that they probably got the equipment for far less (usually between $500-1000).

If you request a more expensive data-capable or Auto-CPAP machine, many times less scrupulous DMEs, knowing that they will be reimbursed the full $1500 from Medicare or insurance, will go ahead and try to squeeze the additional $300 from the end-user (you), since they can now "claim" that the machine's price was more than just the "basic CPAP model" and your insurance only paid them $1500, so you owe them the extra money (profit) that they lost by not giving you the "basic CPAP machine". This does happen and we've had several members here report that exact same scenario... and apparently, it is legal for DMEs to do this. But there are plenty of DMEs that are satisfied in making the somewhat smaller profits involved in selling you a data-capable or Auto machine. (taking the $1500 from insurance, and paying for a $900 machine, giving them a $600 profit, instead of a $1000 profit if they had given you a low-end CPAP). Some DMEs are out to get as much cash as they can, and will "put the squeeze" on the patients to come up with more cash.

If you want a data-capable machine, or an Auto-CPAP, there are MANY DMEs out there who are willing to give you one and accept the $1500 payment from Medicare or insurance and be satisfied with that. If your DME insists that you must pay them additional money (for a machine that is already being paid for via Medicare or insurance), RUN out the door and go to a DME that isn't so greedy, or buy one online from one of the online DMEs (which usually have much lower prices). But if you buy online, make sure your company has a procedure in place for reimbursing you for your online purchase.

Don't let the Insurance companies or the DMEs bamboozle you - they are for-profit businesses... with emphasis on the profit. Their primary interest as a company is to maximize income while minimizing costs. They may claim to have your best interest at heart, but the truth is that they are simply wanting to have you remain compliant with your CPAP so they can maximize their own profits. Plain and simple. The faster you realize this, the better off you're going to be and the less you'll get taken advantage of.

And, of course, it's better to realize all this BEFORE you start dealing with a particular DME. (not always possible, I know). Because once you accept a particular DMEs rent-to-own agreement, you're locked into that DME for that period of time, unless you can convince the insurance company that they are committing fraud or not providing adequate service or proper equipment.

SuperSleeper
Apnea Board Administrator
www.ApneaBoard.com


INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.


RE: SleepyHead CPAP Reporting Software - JediMark
(04-19-2012, 12:24 PM)Sleepster Wrote:
(04-19-2012, 11:29 AM)JumpStart Wrote: The ONLY interest insurance companies have is related to making a profit - everything else is secondary.

Their fear of punishment for violation of the law, be it in the form of fines or legal judgements, is also of interest to them. I can see how, in some cases, that fear may get in the way of their profiteering. At least that's the way the system seems to work.

Fear of punishment undoubtedly factors in, but again, that is related, as I said, to their efforts to make a profit. But merely as a restraint, sometimes slight.
Breathing keeps you alive. And PAP helps keep you breathing!


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