DME and Compliance Data

I just upgraded my machine from a ResMed S8 Elite to a ResMed Airsense A10 Elite. In the process I "fired" my old DME (It was FUN! They offered me NO choice on the new machine .. I took what they offered or nothing. I walked out the door and shook the dust off my feet.). New DME was a joy to deal with. They listened to me, went above and beyond to find me the machine of my choice (A10s were in short supply around here at the time), and let me try on masks to my heart's content. But that is all background .. here is my question ....

The A10 has a "phone home" feature where some level of data can be uploaded every day to a designated host with the right software. I'm aware I could turn this feature off, but for the time being it's more a convenience than an annoyance* (expanded on later for those who care to read). With HIPAA laws the way they are, I'd be VERY surprised if there was any personally identifiable information (PII) in whatever is sent .. aside from some key that only the receiver has. What I found interesting was my data is being sent to the DME for the time being. My questions are listed in boldface type below. I suspect the short answer to both is "It Depends".

What role might a DME have in regards to my compliance data? I have commercial insurance (major carrier PPO), I paid for the machine out of pocket as my deductible had to be satisfied before insurance pays anything (here's a tip - in some cases - a cash customer can get a pretty substantial discount off list price .. at least in my locale .. ask ). I have a follow up visit with my sleep doc in a few weeks for a 30 day compliance check to keep the insurance company happy. They (the sleep doc) may change where my data is sent to.

What data does the Airsense A10 Elite send out wirelessly? I haven't delved into the clinical menus yet (By trade I'm a software developer and things like that don't scare me), so I'm guessing there may be some level of configuration available allowing a person to choose what data is sent. Then again .. I could be wrong.

* Okay the above ended my questions. As for the * above - I'm guessing there is considerable debate on the whole phone home feature. If I tinkered with my pressure settings, I'd set the machine to "Airplane Mode" in the event that settings were something included in the data sent out by the machine. I don't tinker with that setting. OK I did tinker with my old S8 just because I could .. but I ended up setting it back to where the hospital sleep center set it. If my personal data somehow gets misused, there are personal injury attorneys aplenty in this neck of the woods who would be happy to take my case. If it becomes obvious the data is being used in a way that annoys the snot out of me, I'll turn the transmissions off.

OSA in my case is secondary to narcolepsy. The med I take for narcolepsy is a schedule II. It's life changing and I get it without too much hassle as long as I remain compliant on my CPAP - fair enough. Two sleep studies 5 years apart had me at the same titration. As long as I do my part (keep weight at a good level, maintain my masks, stay physically fit), my pressure seems to be a constant. If it feels like something isn't working ... I have a good friend and long time sleep tech who can help me find out if something CPAP related is causing the problem. All that said, I'm anxious to download either ResScan or SleepyHead and see what the new machine tells me about my sleep.

Unless a DME needs the compliance data to prove to the insurance company compliance use so that the insurance company will pay for the machine or equipment...there's no urgent need for a DME to have any data off the machine.
Compliance requirements can be met without using the phone home feature by just using the SD card.
I don't know that all DMEs automatically go with the phone home thing anyway...it requires setting up an account which I assume has some cost involved...and not everyone will live where wireless transmission is available.
Now sometimes the DME will get the data and provide a report to the doctor...so sometimes a need there if the doctor doesn't have the software and the doctor wants the data.

There is no personally identifiable information on these machines...either transmitted wireless or on the SD card. At most the machine's serial number is available and that's it.

I am unsure as to exactly what data is transmitted via the modem. It won't be all the files with all the graphs though.
Most likely it will be hours of use and maybe a generic AHI and maybe an overall leak number. Most likely summary data only but I am unsure just how detailed the summary data will be. It will be minimal data when compared to what is offered with a full data machine like the Elite when using the software.

There's nothing on these machines that would identify the person...no names...non SS numbers...nothing.
If you sent me your SD card I could print off a report but I wouldn't have a clue as to who you were or where you were if you didn't tell me.

It also allows the DME to change settings. Here is what the clinical manual states.
Remote monitoring

The AirSense 10 device has cellular communication which has the ability to automatically transmit
summary and night profile data on a regular basis. It also allows you to change settings remotely.
The Wireless signal strength icon displayed at the top right of the screen indicates the signal
strength. Advise the patient to check the signal strength on their device.
Notes:
 Therapy data might not be transmitted if used outside of the country or region of purchase.
 Devices with cellular communication might not be available in all regions.

Here is a link to the clinical manual. https://sleep.tnet.com/home/files/resme ... -guide.pdf

[quote="Sgt_Pepper"]
* Okay the above ended my questions. As for the * above - I'm guessing there is considerable debate on the whole phone home feature. If I tinkered with my pressure settings, I'd set the machine to "Airplane Mode" in the event that settings were something included in the data sent out by the machine. I don't tinker with that setting. OK I did tinker with my old S8 just because I could .. but I ended up setting it back to where the hospital sleep center set it. If my personal data somehow gets misused, there are personal injury attorneys aplenty in this neck of the woods who would be happy to take my case. If it becomes obvious the data is being used in a way that annoys the snot out of me, I'll turn the transmissions off.[quote]

I believe the machine stores any pressure changes you make. I know I see them on Sleepyhead reports. And since the DME can make changes to the settings, I'm assuming that they can see the settings and changes made to them once the airplane mode is changed back. If anyone has other info maybe they will correct me.

To help belay any privacy concerns.......the clinicians side of the wireless data is called ResMed Airview......you can google that or look for it on ResMed's web site. It states that they do conform to HIPAA laws, no personal data is shared.

And I believe that Oky is correct, I think the machines pressure settings are part of the summary data. But who cares, do what you want with your pressure settings, they won't send the pressure setting police after you.......I mean it's kinda what this forum is all about, taking charge of your own therapy so you can maximize your treatment through education and attaining the optimum treatment level from your machine. We have had lots of people report to their Doctors that they fine tuned settings and got better results and the Doctors were fine with that. It's your health, do what you can to get the most out of your treatment.

P.S. Go ahead and look at both Rescan and Sleepyhead, but you'll find Sleepyhead is a lot easier to use and the data is more understandable.....Sleepyhead is the software of choice for most.

I agree with TangledHose. I was commenting about what he said; he'd set it to airplane mode if he wanted to tinker with the settings. Just wanted to be sure he knew that changing to airplane wasn't hiding it.
I think people should become knowledgeable and take charge of their own health. After all, I might see my sleep doctor once a year or many years, and I'm with my cpap machine every night.

I agree, the airplane mode is a lot easier than building a Faraday cage around it. Even if it just summary data and stuff, I just wouldn't like the idea that I'm not physically controlling the access to the data and settings.

OkyDoky wrote:I might see my sleep doctor once a year or many years, and I'm with my cpap machine every night.

Your secret is safe with me!

SGearhart wrote:

OkyDoky wrote:I might see my sleep doctor once a year or many years, and I'm with my cpap machine every night.

Your secret is safe with me!

AFAIK, the only data transmitted is compliance. If your doctor needs compliance data to authorize tour continued RX renewals, you might want.to make sure the doc has what he needs.

chunkyfrog wrote:AFAIK, the only data transmitted is compliance. If your doctor needs compliance data to authorize tour continued RX renewals, you might want.to make sure the doc has what he needs.

ResMed is screwy about how they word it. I think it transmits at least hours used, nightly average AHI, and things like 95% pressure readings, so the pressure settings are in there.

I think the odds are small that anyone will look at anything other than 4 hours a night so they can ring the cash register.