Used supplies

[3kittymom]

What do you do with your used supplies when you get them replaced every 3 months? I'm thinking mainly about the heated hoses for the ResMed S9. Seems a shame to toss them out.

[ughwhatname]

What do you do with your used supplies when you get them replaced every 3 months? I'm thinking mainly about the heated hoses for the ResMed S9. Seems a shame to toss them out.

I just passed my one year anniversary and I'm still using my original heated hose. It's not broken so I'm not replacing it.

[Wulfman...]

What do you do with your used supplies when you get them replaced every 3 months? I'm thinking mainly about the heated hoses for the ResMed S9. Seems a shame to toss them out.

I started therapy in May of 2005 and am still using the very same hose and mask I started with. Other than the original purchase, I've never asked my insurance provider to "replace" any of my supplies or machines. I've purchased everything since then out-of-pocket. I got four years out of my first set of headgear and six years out of my first mask seal/cushion (it still sealed fine, but I was curious how some of the spares I had would compare). I'm pretty well stocked up on most everything I need for the rest of my life. I haven't thrown out or disposed of anything.......I've kept them for spares.


Den

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[Bobshouse]

Don't toss them, save them for backup! If you don't need them, don't feed the beast! (your DME)

[kwikwater]

this reminds me of a friend that thinks he HAS to get all those supplies because they offer them. I just order what I need, and not until I need it. It's a big fantasy that they would reward you for not running up the costs!!

[chunkyfrog]

I am trying new stuff on my own dime; Medicare will provide replacement parts.
I intend to stay enough ahead so that somebody's incompetence does not result in my suffering.

[hueyville]

My insurance provider is very liberal about keeping me in supplies. At first I wojld only order when I needed stuff and when new would come I would install it, clean tbe old as it was near perfect and put it in the bag the new came from and save it for a rainy day. My insurance costs $2,100 month and the wah it is rising since nobamacare I may not get to keep it. This year it went up more than any year due to a luxury tax imposed by new health care law saying certain "caddilac" policies were unfair to others thus the government is taxing them to supposidly use the money to provide insjrance for people who cant afford it. Also got a list this past January of about 20 services the government will no longer allow private insurance be allowed to pay. Now I get everything I am entitled to, if the old is still fine I put it in a box for later use. If next year I get cut to one hose and mask then spares are here. I am around 17 years from medicare and for all K know they will not provide equipment by the time I reach age. Due to health issues I only work 2.5 eight hour days a week on average instead of 5 ten hour days. I may have to give this policy up. I added an employee and could not put him on this policy. It has been deemed unfair and anyone on it less than 7.5 years had to move into a downgraded government approved policy. For all I know another Federal rule changes could put me on budget insurance. Thus I am getting all I can till we see how it pays out. Getting a new machine before years end along with supplies and lab visits in case I lose them next year.

[LSAT]

I change my hose once a year....I never clean it. I take the old hose and cut off the ends. Then I cut it to make a slit from end to end. I use it to hide electrical cords along the baseboard or around my computer station. Makes things look neat.

[herefishy]

What a great idea to hide your cords! I have never replaced my hoses in 8 years, though, or anything but masks that the headgear has worn out. oh, and filters, of course.

[nanwilson]

When you have to rely on your own wallet to get supplies, you try to be very frugal. But anything that I don't need in my stash that is still useable I will pass on to others that do.
Cheers

[STL Mark]

I have offered used masks and cushions on this forum free. I have asked people to only take what they need and to pay shipping costs if they can. You would be surprised how many people tape and glue their mask parts to try to get more life out of them. What seems like junk to some is a wonderful gift to others.

[Babette]

I use my supplies until they are definitely dead, then throw them out. If I get automatic refills on them, I store and hoard them for the day that I can't afford to buy them, or don't have insurance for them.

If they become too much to store, I pass on bits of my hoard to forum members. Just gave away an old CPAP machine and a whole bunch of unused nasal cannulas to forum members here.

Don't throw away good working stuff. Use it up until it's dead and then throw it out.

Hoard the good stuff. You never know when your circumstances might change and you can no longer afford those supplies.

Cheers,
B.

[chunkyfrog]

"You never know": words to live by.

[Sir NoddinOff]

As I see it, you have three choices: Keep them stashed in your closet while saving them for a backup/rainy day (but you have insurance, so IMO, what's the point?). Sell them on this forum dirt cheap, and I mean 'dirt' cheap. Give them away free on this forum or to charity (ask your DME).

None of those are invalid choices, so in a way you are home free and luckier than a lot of people on this forum. As a personal note, I have given away masks and misc accessories on this forum and it's a very nice feeling... especially with the holidays coming up.

[Babette]

The point is, many of us are dependent upon an employer's income and health benefits.

I am just one layoff away from losing all that, and thus I counsel hoarding supplies.

Cheers,
B.