Help! The RT is pushing another CPAP machine. What do???

[Ailu]

Thanks so much everybody! I should clarify, it's the Respiratory Therapist from the sleep center that called me - not the DME. But I'm gonna tell them I want the machine as prescribed.

You guys are awesome!

[trailrider]

You can go to any DME with your prescription. ANY*. Doesn't have to be the one connected to the sleep centre.

*subject to conditions of your insurance provider, etc.

[Sleeprider]

It should take no more than 3 days to get the right machine in stock. Stock is a retailer term anyway and your DME should have any of these machines available within hours. Imagine an auto parts store that didn't have the spark plugs you need. You'd go somewhere else and they would go out of business. What a ridiculous ploy.

[GeoffD]

Thanks Parker! She also offered a ResMed S10, but I told her I couldn't use a ResMed because I dry camp often, and it doesn't hook up to a battery with the best results. Otherwise, I would have definitely considered it!

The ResMed 12v to 24v DC-DC converter power brick works just fine. The place I bought it, Supplier #26, has it for $84.00 with free shipping at the moment. Part number 37297. A cigarette lighter plug DC power cord for a 12v machine will be cheaper but a ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet, the DC-DC converter power brick, and a 35 amp-hour AGM wheelchair/scooter battery will work just fine as long as you dial back the humidifier and heated hose. The ML35-12 AGM battery I bought is still $63.99 with free shipping at the huge internet retailer.

I wouldn't want to lug a 25 pound AGM battery very far but there is no reason you can't camp with that kind of setup.

[OMyMyOHellYes]

The ResMed 12v to 24v DC-DC converter power brick works just fine. The place I bought it, Supplier #26, has it for $84.00 with free shipping at the moment. Part number 37297. A cigarette lighter plug DC power cord for a 12v machine will be cheaper but a ResMed AirSense 10 AutoSet, the DC-DC converter power brick, and a 35 amp-hour AGM wheelchair/scooter battery will work just fine as long as you dial back the humidifier and heated hose. The ML35-12 AGM battery I bought is still $63.99 with free shipping at the huge internet retailer.

The Resmed 12-24 V adapter may "work" well to run off of a battery, but it requires buying and hauling another piece of equipment with you in addition to everything else.

The Respironics just plugs directly into the battery without further ado making it far more betterer for the intended application.

Power bricks are just a lot more kludgey.

OMMOHY

[Mark Douglas]

Thanks so much everybody! I should clarify, it's the Respiratory Therapist from the sleep center that called me - not the DME. But I'm gonna tell them I want the machine as prescribed.

You guys are awesome!

Now I am not a suspicious type (pause for laughter to wain and monitors to be cleaned) but it sounds almost like the RT and DME are colluding. I mean the RT has got to know the machines are in no way comparable and why would sleepcenter RT call on behalf the DME? I don't get it.

[Ailu]

Yeah, that's kinda how I felt, Mark. Everytime I told her I'd made up my mind, we'd talk about something else, and then she'd come back to machine again. Her insistence threw me off to where I finally said, "Ok, let me do research on it, and I'll get back to you."

She also told me she was pretty sure I was on the "Health Advantage" Blue Shield, and that insurance plan makes you rent the machine for 13 months to ensure you are compliant, and they check compliance every 90 days and if you aren't wearing it, they take the machine back.

So I called Blue Shield and asked them if I had to rent the machine. And they answered no. In fact there is no provision for renting on my plan. Only for outright purchase. I pay 10% of the purchase price, they pay 90%

Now I am not a suspicious type (pause for laughter to wain and monitors to be cleaned) but it sounds almost like the RT and DME are colluding. I mean the RT has got to know the machines are in no way comparable and why would sleepcenter RT call on behalf the DME? I don't get it.

[OpalRose]

Ailu,
You have to be one step ahead of these people. They are not looking out for your best interest.
I have determined that they are either dishonest or incompetent......maby both!

Tell them you will go elsewhere if they can't get you what you want.

[DariaVader]

So I called Blue Shield and asked them if I had to rent the machine. And they answered no. In fact there is no provision for renting on my plan. Only for outright purchase. I pay 10% of the purchase price, they pay 90%

Does it matter to BS where you get it? If not, I would way rather pay 10% of the online price vs 10% of a DME price... and it sounds to me like sleep center = DME, by the way.

[Ailu]

Thanks Daria. I really wish I could buy online! But after talking extensively with Blue Shield, and also getting online documentation, the only place I am allowed to purchase it thru is Apria or thru the local hospital (if I want to be reimbursed).

Given Apria's infamous reputation, I chose the hospital. But if my copay comes close to exceeding $800, I will jump right online to buy in a heartbeat!

So I called Blue Shield and asked them if I had to rent the machine. And they answered no. In fact there is no provision for renting on my plan. Only for outright purchase. I pay 10% of the purchase price, they pay 90%

Does it matter to BS where you get it? If not, I would way rather pay 10% of the online price vs 10% of a DME price... and it sounds to me like sleep center = DME, by the way.