Has anybody been able to get the software through their insurance, or gotten it "with" their machine, where they didn't have to go to CPAP.com and spend $200 on it? If so, how did you do it? I'm getting the runaround from ResMed and my DME.... DME says they don't have it except on their computers (which I believe...they've always been good to me!), and when I called the ResMed number they gave me to ask ResMed about getting it, they said they "don't deal directly with patients, you'll have to call your DME."

So....... anybody know how I can get a copy of ReScan without having to pay through the nose for it? Can I get my doctor to "prescribe" it or something? Does anybody have any ideas?

Resmed's software is for "professional" use only. Resmed has made that clear to DME suppliers and sleep lab professionals. They provide no patient support for the software whatsoever (nor does Respironics who also insist their software is for professionals only).

Even if someone were to give you a "pirated" copy of the software you would still need to buy the reader cable for it and that is also proprietary. Most of us purchased our Resmed software before they cracked down on sales to patients, that pretty much holds true for the Respironics software as well. Altho Respironics was some 18 months behind Resmed in putting the ky-bosh on selling software and reader cable to patients.

I've only heard of ONE instance of someone successfully convincing their insurance company to pay for the software and reader cable. I understand there is at least one online DME supplier still selling the software and reader cable at a very reasonable price IF you also purchase your CPAP from them.

Hey Sherri Baby, is your DME far away or otherwise difficult to access? My DME will unload the smartcard anytime for me with just an advance phone call to be sure they are not too busy. My DME is an hour away but I do go that direction from time to time, so I just call when I'm headed out and take the card with me. Mine will even let me mail the card and they'll fax or mail the results. I have a few smartcards so I never have to use the machine without the detail recording.

Of course it is really nice to have the card reader and software yourself, but in case that proves too difficult, it sounds like your DME is good and would work with you?

Blessings,
--pseudonym

I have a post on this forum that shows how to hook up a VPAP Malibu to a computer that only has USB ports. It uses two cables, both which are readily available online at very reasonable prices. I am not sure what the other ResMed machines have setup to download the data. My VPAP has a DB9 male serial port on the machine. I dump directly from the machine into my laptop. I do not see why ResMed is so hyper about its software. They would not have to support anything. I believe that they should make their software available to ALL patients. Let the patients do all the work of installing etc. I think most people of today are not afraid of high tech and are computer literate. If they want to charge, so be it..........JUST MAKE IT AVAILABLE.....to the people who NEED it. Well that's my opinion on the matter. If we have to 'pirate' it.......so be it again. Perhaps they will learn......we need the information to help us with OSA.

Yeah, I was told that the reason they did that was because with the software, you can get into the clinical settings and change your pressures.............well, I already know how to get into my clinical menu without the software, so if I were going to change my pressure settings, I could have done it a long time ago!

Anyway.... they told the DME that I could call my doctor, and if my doctor said it was okay for me to have it, he can call the DME or the local ResMed rep, and ResMed will give it to the doctor, and the doctor can give it to me. Good grief, people! Its a reporting device! Its not national security!

Either way, its kind of a moot point anyway, because the Adapt SV does not record AHI data at this time. All I would be able to see is compliance data, and that kinda sucks. I emailed ResMed, and they said that the Adapt over in Europe already has these advanced data capabilities, and that it should be in the new Adapts here in the states within the next 2-4 months. She was unsure of whether this would require purchase of a new machine or not though.... she said its possible I could be able to just upgrade the software on the current Adapt (I hope!).

So..... by that time, I have another appointment with my sleep doctor in November, and it might be available by then. If so, yeah, I'll definitely make sure he gets me the software! I may even be able to get a new machine by then, because from what I understand, the new Adapts will actually show you the AHI data on the information screen....that'd be nice!

That is just amazing to me, that a machine as sophisticated as yours was released WITHOUT full data recording??? Unbelievable. You would think that would be tops on their list. Glad they've added it retroactively, and I hope you can just get the firmware upgraded in yours and not have to get a newer machine.

Good grief.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Way to go Sherri.....not your getting results. You know, if enough of us lean on ResMed, we might get some action done. I don't consider myself a 'rebel' of sorts, but this software issue really gets to me. I have been in computers for nearly 40 years and I have always believed that companies should accomodate the customer. Isn't that good business. I am also surprised that the SV doesn't have that data. Doesn't really make sense to leave it out when all other seem to have it. Anyway lots of luck with your Dr.....I am sure you can convince him/her to get your software. Buzz me any time you need help with the installation, cables etc. I want you to have success, just like I have.

pseudonym wrote:That is just amazing to me, that a machine as sophisticated as yours was released WITHOUT full data recording??? Unbelievable.

You can blame the FDA approval process for the reason its available in Europe but not yet in the US.

Cheers,

Bill

Hey Bill, maybe I'm misunderstanding, but it sounds like the initial release of the machine did not include this feature AT ALL, for ANYONE. That is what I find unbelievable.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

I concur w/Alex - IF we all put DIPLOMATIC pressure on Resmed about the availability of software for patients it might get us somewhere. The key is to be polite and diplomatic about it.

It wouldn't hurt to praise Resmed for being ahead of Respironics in providing physician option to grant access to the Detailed Menu for patients (Left and Right buttons for 3-4 second to gain Efficacy and Usage data) and for providing a good size, easy to read, LCD screen to see that data.

It would also be prudent to mention that Respironics has "heard" the requests of their end-users, the patients, and is scheduled to provide EncoreViewer, patient software w/all the information EXCEPT the ability to change their pressure settings, available to patients next month (October 2007).

It shouldn't be difficult for Resmed to remove the ability to change the pressure settings thru AutoScan 5.7 and then make that software under a new name available to patients AT A REASONABLE PRICE as Respironics is doing.

And while we are at it it wouldn't hurt to also suggest they consider making EPR available in auto mode in their AutoSet Vantage as Respironics has done w/their new M Series Auto w/A-Flex.

Hey, folks, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Let's make our voices heard - in a friendly and diplomatic manner!!!!

I know, I don't understand it either.... I mean, lowering the AHI is the object of the game, so LOGICALLY, the patient should be able to see what the AHI is. Who cares about compliance if the therapy is wrong, or for some other reason is not working?

But yeah, I agree with CrohnieToo, there has to be some diplomacy about it.... we have to come across as intelligent and responsible and capable of handling that information.

You know what they say about warning labels....... every warning label is in place because at some time, some other fool tried it.

This dialog is great. I was hopeing that interest about this issue would grow. I am meeting with my DME on October 11 to see a demo of the VPAP Adapt SV by a ResMed representative. It seems to me to be a great opportunity to bring up the issue of software. Not to fear I WILL be diplomatic. Hopefully the message will get back to the main office and get some executives thinking. Anyway the more they hear about the issue from us the better chance we have of success.

Great opportunity, Alex. I would LOVE to meet w/a Resmed Rep. I just met a great Respironics Rep at our local apnea support group meeting.

The folks at cpap dot com are a LARGE customer of Respironics products and host a busy apnea forum so they had a LOT of apnea patients' input to provide to Respironics which had a lot to do, I'm sure, w/Respironics coming up w/this new EncoreViewer software specifically for patients.

pseudonym wrote:Hey Bill, maybe I'm misunderstanding

You are indeed.

What a SDB manufacturer can sell in the US is based on FDA approvals. You might want to take a look at what that involves.

Cheers,

Bill

@Bill no you misunderstand ME. I know it all requires FDA approvals. What I am appalled at, is they apparently released a machine to the public that didn't have full data recording. Whether they didn't want to wait for further FDA approvals I don't know, but with such an exhorbitantly expensive and sophisticated machine I would have expected the full data recording to be part and parcel of the feature set from the very first machine that rolled off the line.

Hope I am clearer now.

Blessings,
--pseudonym