New info on Airsense/Aircurve 11 problems

[vandownbytheriver]

News from Uncle Nick on the 11 problem... check your tube plug carefully!

Here's the first video describing complaints:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiMPOaZBqVs

Here's the second video where the problems have been discovered:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAs01WRPtGk

There are two points to the new information:
a) The Climateline for the AS11 can slip out of being fully plugged in... a slight pull to the side and the clip catch jumps out... the tube is now leaking. This can actually cause the machine to turn itself off if the leak is large enough and you have set Auto Start/Stop.

b) There is a firmware update coming... turns out that high leaking can cause the humidity system (when in Auto) to fry itself. If it's already fried then you're SOL, needs a hardware repair. People that allow the machine to blow before putting on the mask (I assume minutes not seconds) can cause this problem. Large leaks with humidity in Auto mode can cause this problem. The solution is to use Manual humidity mode until the firmware update can go out.

I don't have an AS11, those that have one can check their hose connection with a wiggle.

[Ebonyeyez]

News from Uncle Nick on the 11 problem... check your tube plug carefully!

Here's the first video describing complaints:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiMPOaZBqVs

Here's the second video where the problems have been discovered:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAs01WRPtGk

There are two points to the new information:
a) The Climateline for the AS11 can slip out of being fully plugged in... a slight pull to the side and the clip catch jumps out... the tube is now leaking. This can actually cause the machine to turn itself off if the leak is large enough and you have set Auto Start/Stop.

b) There is a firmware update coming... turns out that high leaking can cause the humidity system (when in Auto) to fry itself. If it's already fried then you're SOL, needs a hardware repair. People that allow the machine to blow before putting on the mask (I assume minutes not seconds) can cause this problem. Large leaks with humidity in Auto mode can cause this problem. The solution is to use Manual humidity mode until the firmware update can go out.

I don't have an AS11, those that have one can check their hose connection with a wiggle.

——-

Unless I waaaayyyy over stretch while in bed, my AS 11 is stationary on my nightstand and there’s no need to worry about my hose slipping out. And on the matter of another Nicko issue, because it’s stationary, there’s little chance it’ll roll over because of design issues. I have had to question what I’d need to be doing for the hose to pull loose or the machine to roll over anyway. N-E-X-T… What else does the creative souls have to throw at the AS 11? What will happen with each future upgrade introduced that isn’t a clone of the almighty, faultless, perfect Master AS 10? I’ve used the AS 11 for close to 2 years. It was about 2-3 months ago my humidifier heating element died. It’s a manmade machine, be it a cpap machine, cell phone, car, refrigerator. Stuff happens. The hospital sleep disorder center where I’m treated have DME reps on site 4 days a week. A simple walk-in to swap out the machine was quick, simple and easy. I read and realize it hasn’t been that simply for others, and I do sympathize with them.

[vandownbytheriver]

I read and realize it hasn’t been that simply for others, and I do sympathize with them.

Does your hose show the wiggle problem? Do you run your heater in Manual? Did you run an Ax10 before?

Glad you're problem-free, there are many others with and without issues. In particular, the water tub metal design appears improved over the 10... I'm working on that issue right now, going to repair a leaky 10 tub and see how that works.

[alancalan]

I live in Florida and because of that I don't have as much of a need for humidification because I don't wake up with dry mouth but I do wake up with a dry jaw every once in awhile if I'm sleeping on my side. I don't know if I need a heated tube for the same reason but I should have one in case I go up north and the same is true for unification although it might help the joy issue. But I wonder if Medicare pays for the heated tube which it probably does and I know it pays for humidification but if you want the heated tube it probably has to be a doctors request And then Medicaid will pay for it.

However, what if you live in Florida and the doctor says you should have battery backup, with Medicare pay for that? Or you might need it for traveling.

I'm still waiting for the ResMed air curve 11.

Alan

[SleepGeek]

I'm still waiting for the ResMed air curve 11.

You could have had an AC 10 by now.

[alancalan]

I'm still waiting for the ResMed air curve 11.

You could have had an AC 10 by now.

Yes, I know, I could have gotten one 5 years ago when the 10 was already a 5-year-old machine because I got my S9 few weeks before it was discontinued.

ResMed was putting out new machines every 5 years, and I should have thought of that before I took the S9. If you assume that relatively shortly you'll get a new generation of machine, at a time when the S10 was already 5 years old, why not wait a few months which became a few years and the longer you wait the more ludicrous it is after waiting 10 years to go back to the 10.

A 10 was delivered to me and I specifically said at least a 20 times that I want the AC 11 and the salesperson said yes no problem at least
10 times and then when the delivery guy came and I made him wait until I opened it up sure enough it was the 10 so I didn't accept it. If I could get the 10 until the 11s come out I would do it but I don't want to be stuck with a 10 for five more years. Already we know that the 11 is much better energy wise and that could make a difference after a hurricane in Florida. We already know that the 11 can do on air firmware updates instead of having to send the machine back to ResMed and waiting weeks.

I don't understand after all these years how they couldn't get the bugs out of these machines and start producing them in high numbers. Look at how much money they are losing as they lost the whole 5-year cycle of machines but they were making ventilators so, they didn't care.

But what about the questions I asked?

Will Medicare pay for the heated hose and a battery backup if the doctor puts it in the prescription?

[Pugsy]

what about the questions I asked?

Will Medicare pay for the heated hose and a battery backup if the doctor puts it in the prescription?

Medicare (and other insurance) WILL pay for the heated hose. It is considered a covered expense and there is an appropriate HCPCS billing code for it.
HCPCS billing code A4604 and allowed 1 per 3 months.
That would be the top one on the list "tube with integrated heating element".

Medicare (and other insurance) normally do NOT consider a battery backup as a covered expense and those won't pay for it though someone might get it covered under some special coding or exception thing.

Below is the replacement allowance schedule for Medicare and most other insurance for cpap stuff.
If you notice there is NO billing code for batteries of any sort.
Also please note that travel machines (like the tiny machines) aren't covered either.