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[Diagnosis] CDL compliance report
#1
CDL compliance report
I have been using a CPAP machine for well over 10 years and love it.  I recently started training to become a school bus driver in my semi-retirement, and need a CDL compliance report from my machine.  I have a Respironics Remstar M series AFlex machine.  The memory card looks like the chip on the new credit cards, it is not an SD type card.  Is there a way to easily generate a compliance report with this machine?  I don't see anything resembling a USB port or other way to easily connect the machine directly to a computer, and don't have a chip reader.
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#2
RE: CDL compliance report
You can purchase smart card readers from online stores. However, I'm not sure about software to interpret the data and generate the report you need. An option may be to take your card to a DME and get them to generate a report for you. I know my DME would do it for me, but some DME's can be tough to deal with. I assume the DME still maintains those machines as I know that mine does. How soon do you have to have the report?

Also need to note that the machine generates compliance codes to report to the DME. I do not know how these codes are interpreted, but I imagine that any DME that's been in the business pre-2010, will have the the capabilities to interpret the code and generate a report sufficient for your needs. DME has to keep compliance records for insurance billing purposes.
Jesse


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#3
RE: CDL compliance report
Tom, I really think you should update your machine. The M-Series was a thing from 2005 to 2008, but both computers and CPAPs have come a long way since. The card is a SmartCard, and it is readable using a Mako DT3500 Smartcard reader. It is still available, but you will need to use EncoreBasic software which is available from the forum. if you want to use this obsolete stuff, which will work, ask away, and I will help you. Be aware your machine is at the end of its serviceable life and probably has over 20,000 use hours. Failure is a matter of time.

As an alternative, you should simply request a new prescription for Auto CPAP from your doctor and let your insurance buy you a new machine. The preferred new model is the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset. This is an auto CPAP that is quiet, comfortable, compact and has full data that writes to an SD card. You can read the data using OSCAR or Resscan software. Both are free to you. You can buy the machine new or used from Supplier #2 or Supplier #33 at a very good price if your insurance is not up to par.

How do you want to proceed?
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

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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.
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#4
RE: CDL compliance report
Thanks so much for all the great information. I have asked my primary Dr. For a new prescription and will look into getting a new machine. Meanwhile I may need to generate a report from my obsolete machine. I can get a temporary 3 month pass on the CDL requirement but depending on whether my insurance requires a new sleep study or not, that might not be enough time to get a new machine, collect sufficient data and generate the report. So I may have more question. 
Sincerely,

Tom McKamey
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#5
RE: CDL compliance report
Are you going thru insurance or out of pocket?
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#6
RE: CDL compliance report
I'm not sure yet. I have BCBS PPO but don't know what they will cover yet, or if they will require a new study be performed etc.
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#7
RE: CDL compliance report
Call around to local DMEs / Suppliers and ask if they have the capability to read a Smartcard from the M-Series.  I would think this capability is out there.  The OTHER alternative is that your machine can show on-screen the therapy hours for the last 30 days.  You have to unplug the CPAP, press the two arrows while plugging the unit in and wait for 2-beeps.  The attached image shows the process or you can request the M-Series clinician provider manual from the forum.  You can take a picture of the CPAP therapy hours or sessions>4-hours, with your phone and use that image as evidence of use for the past 30 days, or you can show the machine with that screen to your doctor who can verify use.  A DME may be able to access the SmartCard for you and provide a written report.

You may be able to avoid a sleep study. Make an appointment with your regular doctor to discuss CPAP. Document your use and efficacy of existing treatment by discussing your history and current use of CPAP and how it benefits you, and your need to maintain records for CDL compliance. You may bring your machine with you to the appointment. Try to obtain any old prescriptions or diagnostic studies. Discuss your current pressure and why you think Auto CPAP is will work with data to optimize your therapy. Request your doctor to provide a prescription for a Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset auto-CPAP so you can update your old equipment and maintain the records needed for you job. YOU DO NOT NEED A SLEEP SPECIALIST to continue your already effective therapy and update equipment with Auto CPAP. Provide that prescription to an in-network provider for your insurance. No sleep test is required unless demanded by insurance, and it is rare for existing patients to be required to document a prior diagnosis.

[Image: attachment.php?aid=13829]


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Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


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.
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#8
RE: CDL compliance report
Thanks for the great suggestions. One further question; I don't currently use heat or humidifier with my therapy. I have the heated humidifier for my machine but prefer to use it without. That being the case, what's your opinion of the Respironics dreamstation?  Would it's algorithms likely be more similar to the rematar M series I've been using comfortably?
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#9
RE: CDL compliance report
Personally, I prefer the ResMed AutoSense 10. I have had one for about 9 months now and am quite happy with it. Works like a charm. My prior machine was a PR System One. I like the algorithm in the ResMed better.

My wife has a Dreamstation and in my opinion it is a POS. We are on her second machine, 4th modem in a little over a year. The first one ran for about 3 months before it starting shutting down after exactly 2 minutes of operation. This one won't hold settings and will randomly change pressures when it is not in auto mode. Oh, and working with the DME, they are in the process of getting ready to send us a replacement for this one. They send us a replacement, we send the old one back. Usually the modem wouldn't be an issue, but her doctor wants to be able to change settings without us having to make the 40 minute drive each way.
Homer

Advisory Members serve as an "Advisory Committee" to help shape Apnea Board's rules & policies. Monitors are also Advisory Members, just with Extra Work assigned.

Membership in the Advisory Members group does not imply medical expertise or qualification for advising Sleep Apnea patients concerning their treatment.
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#10
RE: CDL compliance report
The Dreamstation Auto is able to be operated in both CPAP and Auto mode, with or without the humidifier. It is considerably noisier than your M-series without the humidifier. With the Dreamstation series, you get the same feel to therapy as with the M-Series, including C-Flex or A-Flex. I have a strong preference for Resmed as you can tell. I came from a M-Series to the Philips Respironics System One and then the Resmed. I just find it more comfortable, but there are plenty of members on the board that prefer the Respironics machines. For most of us it's a personal comfort thing and it would be unfair to tell you otherwise. The place where Resmed excels over the Dreamstation is when flow limitation and hypopnea is present. It treats those conditions much better.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

____________________________________________
Download OSCAR Software
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing Therapy
Organize your OSCAR Charts
Attaching Files
Mask Primer
How To Deal With Equipment Supplier


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.
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