CPAP/Bi-Level Starter Guide & Help Page

Reliable Respiratory is here to help you embark on your journey to a better night’s sleep! Our Respiratory Therapists are here to help answer any questions that you may have about your new therapy.

 

The current generation of PAP machines are truly plug and play! Your device is programmed according to your provider’s prescribed settings, and comfort features such as humidification are automatic as well.

Getting Started With Your CPAP Machine

Patient Information Brochure

Video Tutorials

Headgear Replacement Guides

CPAP Machines

AirSense11 Unboxing

AirSense10 Unboxing

AirSense10 Humidification Options

Airsense11 - Maximize your comfort

AirSense10 Menu Interface

Accessing Sleep Data on the AirSense10

Airsense11 - Get to know your device

Dreamstation Unboxing

Dreamstation Humidification Options

Dreamstation Menu Interface

Dreamstation 2 Unboxing

React Health Luna G3 BiPAP - Setup Guide

React Health Luna Auto CPAP - Setup Guide

React Health Luna G3 - User Interface Guide

Masks by Brand

Getting Started - P10 & P10 For Her FitPack

Getting Started - F20 Full Face Mask

Getting Started - Nuance Pro FitPack

Getting Started - Wisp FitPack

Getting Started - Dreamwear Full Face Mask FitPack

Getting Started - Vitera FitPack

Getting Started - Evora Full Face Mask

Getting Started - Brevida FitPack

Getting Started - Siesta Full Face CPAP Mask

Masks by Style

Getting Started - Dreamwear Full Face Mask FitPack

Getting Started - F20 Full Face Mask

Getting Started - Siesta Full Face CPAP Mask

Getting Started - Vitera FitPack

Getting Started - Evora Full Face Mask

Getting Started - Wisp FitPack

Getting Started - Brevida FitPack

Getting Started - Nuance Pro FitPack

Getting Started - P10 & P10 For Her FitPack

Insurance Guidelines & Pap Usage Requirements

Most insurance companies have a usage requirements. Information regarding your specific guidelines are located on a colored index card included with your setup bundle for easy access.

What is "Compliance"?

Compliance is a usage requirement set forth by your insurance company. Satisfying compliance requirements ensures that your insurance company will continue to cover their portion of the cost of the PAP machine and supplies until you own it. Some insurance companies require ongoing compliance to cover their portion of the cost of any supplies you receive after you own your machine.

Compliance defined: 4 hrs of daily use, for 21 days out of a 30 day period. The four hours do not have to be consecutive, and the 21 days of usage do not have to be either!

In addition to meeting your compliance guidelines, your insurance may have an additional requirement for a face to face visit.

*Please call our compliance team at 781.551.3335 x 3388 or email [email protected] with any additional questions about your specific plan’s compliance requirements.

What is a Face to Face Visit?

After beginning treatment with your machine, a follow-up visit with your doctor is required by some insurance plans. This is a time for your provider to review your objective and subjective use and benefit of the machine.

Traditionally, the face to face is required to be in person, most insurances allow a Telehealth appointment to substitute an in-person encounter.

Typically, the Face to Face is required between 31-90 days after you receive your PAP equipment. For some BiLevel machines (ST/ASV), the Face to Face is required between days 61-90. Reliable Respiratory’s customer service Team can confirm the required date range for your Face to Face visit.

If your doctor is unsure what to document during your follow-up visit, our Billing Documentation Department is happy to answer any questions, and can be reached at (781.551.3335 x 3622).

If you’re unsure if your insurance requires a Face to Face, or when you need to have one, please call our Compliance Team at 781.551.3335 x 3388 or email [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is my tubing/hose?

For ResMed machines, your tubing is located inside the travel bag, above the PAP unit and water chamber, located inside a small zippered compartment.

What do I do if I’m having trouble getting used to CPAP therapy?

Be patient and ease into your therapy, wear the mask while awake watching TV, reading, or anything that distracts your mind from the mask/machine.  Adjusting to wearing a CPAP mask takes time, although it can be a healthy lifestyle change!

Why can’t I fall asleep?

Acclimation to PAP therapy is a slow process. Your body needs to become adjusted to the therapy, which often results in a longer time to fall asleep. Your goal should be to fall asleep using PAP therapy each night. We find that the “slow and steady” approach is most successful, as you are forming a new nighttime routine.

What do I do if my mask is leaking?

Reposition it on your face; refer to user manual to perform “Run Mask Fit”(ResMed AirSense 10) or ”Check mask fit”(Philips DreamStation) test; Adjust the straps until you get a green smiley face (ResMed) or green bar (Philips).

Why won’t my machine turn on?

Verify power connections; unplug the power cord and plug back in; try a different outlet.

Why am I taking my mask off while sleeping?

This is common for patients new to PAP therapy; try to become comfortable by wearing your mask while awake.

Is the pressure too high when you wake up in the middle of the night?

Turn the device off, then turn it back on. The pressure will start lower whenever you turn the device back on.

I cant find distilled water for my CPAP. What do I do?

You can use bottled or tap water, but be sure to drain the water tank daily to minimize mineral buildup. Over time, tap/bottled water will cause scaling in the water tank. To help remove the mineral buildup, we recommend using a 3 part water: one part white vinegar soak for an hour to help loosen any buildup. A toothbrush can be used to help brush off any residual scaling in the tank.

Boiling water is an option, as it kills any contaminants, but it will ultimately make the water more mineral-rich.

Cleaning Procedures

These are general cleaning instructions for your equipment and supplies. Please refer to your user guides for any cleaning instructions specific to your model.

Soap & Water Recommendations

WATER
Distilled water ideally should be used for humidification.

SOAP
We recommend using a liquid dishwashing soap, such as dawn, ivory or
seventh generation, free of any additives such as moisturizers or bleach
alternatives. AVOID hand soaps and any antibacterial soaps, as they break
down the silicon. Baby shampoo can also be used if available.

Deep cleaning (as needed): 3 parts water, 1 part vinegar. Submerge and
soak all parts for one hour, then rinse, and allow to air dry. You may consider
doing a soap and water soak after, to help with the odor of the vinegar.

Equipment Cleaning Guidelines

MASKS & PILLOWS
Clean daily by wiping down with a warm damp cloth and air dry.
Weekly: Soak mask and cushion with warm soapy water for 15 minutes,
rinse and air dry.

HEADGEAR
Weekly: Hand wash. use cold water, soap and let air dry.

TUBING
Clean weekly using % teaspoon of soap placed in tubing then add
enough water to tubing for 12 inch loop in the middle of the tubing when
holding both ends up. Next altemating, raise one end then the other for
one minute. Then dump out soapy water and run clean water through tubing
for one minute and hang tubing over curtain to remove moisture.

HUMIDIFIER CHAMBER
Clean weekly using % teaspoon of soap placed in the water chamber then
add enough water to fill of the chamber and agitate for one minute, rinse
well with tap water then refill with distilled water.
During use, when the water level gets down to the refill point, empty the
remaining water out and refill with fresh distilled water. Once refilled, the
water should last through the night before requiring a refill.
Do not fill above the refill mark.

FILTERS
Twice each month remove filter and brush off any visible dust. Replace
disposable filters monthly, or per your insurance replacement schedule.

How to Access Usage Data

All of our devices have cellular connectivity for automatic access to your data to track your progress online. See below for information regarding your model’s free smartphone app.

ResMed AirSense11

ResMed AirSense Model Paps: MyAir (by ResMed)

G3-APAPCPAP-33B2-1024x395 (2)

React Health Luna Model Paps: Smartphone App (by React Health)