High deductible need new everything!

What do people do when they can't afford to spend the cash on new masks and machines? I'll never meet my deductible in any given year! I'm not low income enough to qualify for state aid or SS or medicare. I have adult children and grandchildren who we help out and they will always come first.

I'm using a decent cpap machine tho sometimes it's hard to get it to turn on or off but once it does it runs fine. Haven't had a new mask in years! I'm just reusing old ones and then putting them away for a few months and going back to them again. The problem is my face is really getting raw from using masks so I went back to my nasal pillows. Those are tearing up my nose! I clean everything as it should be done. NO antibacterial soaps and nothing petroleum based for a cream.

What do others do?

Obama is going to take care of you!

Sheriff

Really good deals on Craigslist if you know what you are looking for. Often machines are very low hours of use. I see lots of masks too.
Where are you located?

and what do you currently have for a machine, what are you looking for, what will you SETTLE FOR (if what you want is too expensive), etc, etc

Sheriff Buford wrote:Obama is going to take care of you!

Sheriff

No Sir Sheriff! Don't qualify for a break on my premiums. A few dollars shy of $500 a month and still have a high deductible. I do have great RX coverage though!

There are several machines available on the forum, new and gently used, all current models. Secondwind.com also sells gently used machines at a nice discount, and Craigslist can be your friend if you know what you are looking for. So, what are you looking for? I have insurance with fairly high deductibles and copays, but not ridiculous, and I still prefer to acquire my own equipment and mask supplies rather than deal with the DMEs.

Please take the time to fill out an equipment profile, or put it in your signature so we know want you're using now.

.

Tatooed Lady wrote:and what do you currently have for a machine, what are you looking for, what will you SETTLE FOR (if what you want is too expensive), etc, etc

I have a cpap that doesn't have a humidifier. It's digital display and I'd have to go into the bedroom to see what brand it is. I have never wanted the top of the line in anything! I need a machine that is reliable, somewhat quiet so I don't bother my husband when he is home. The one I have now doesn't really bother him but sometimes it seems loud to me. I used to have a humidifier one but when I got the new one about 10 years ago that one was put in a spare bedroom and someone (child probably) turned it over with water in it and no one found it for months. It's dead! I can live without that though.

Everything I buy for myself is second hand and I'm not embarrassed by that.

postitnote wrote: Everything I buy for myself is second hand and I'm not embarrassed by that.

as well you shouldn't be.

there are *excellent* deals to be had on the second hand cpap market.... easily half, or a quarter price for machines that are in great condition.

every single machine I've gotten has been second hand.

you can get new masks from cpap.com (and other sites).

you can get mask parts, (sometimes even masks) on amazon, ebay, and craigslist. hoses are cheap on amazon.

it's surprising how much stuff is readily available on the net.

Check into amazon for Mask. If you buy it in what they call parts... Mask separate from headgear... You will find that you can pick up a deal... Example of... Mirage air full face goes for 185.00 if bought as one... But buy the mask part without headgear and it is 59 to 89 dollars... Then the headgear by itself is only 19 to 29 dollars. I was told to look at this way by users here. And save every time. Good luck

Well, this is a bit self-serving, but I have some smoky masks acquired in a Craigslist transaction. You might consult others regarding the probability of eliminating the smoke odor. I'm still new to the CPAP world, but my guess is that the cushions would need to be replaced if you don't tolerate smoke.

For description, sizes, and photos, see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=103762&p=977019&hil ... ff#p977019

I'll PM you...

I also have some unused masks that need to find a home away from my home.
Maybe I have something you can use. I will PM you.

palerider wrote:

postitnote wrote: Everything I buy for myself is second hand and I'm not embarrassed by that.

as well you shouldn't be.

there are *excellent* deals to be had on the second hand cpap market.... easily half, or a quarter price for machines that are in great condition.

every single machine I've gotten has been second hand.

you can get new masks from cpap.com (and other sites).

you can get mask parts, (sometimes even masks) on amazon, ebay, and craigslist. hoses are cheap on amazon.

it's surprising how much stuff is readily available on the net.

I have bought hoses and filters on ebay for years! I started making my own filters though. I cut up an HVAC filter. You can get quite a few filters for the price of one good filter. I change them often and they never are dirty. I probably change them too foten.

njgsregal wrote:Check into amazon for Mask. If you buy it in what they call parts... Mask separate from headgear... You will find that you can pick up a deal... Example of... Mirage air full face goes for 185.00 if bought as one... But buy the mask part without headgear and it is 59 to 89 dollars... Then the headgear by itself is only 19 to 29 dollars. I was told to look at this way by users here. And save every time. Good luck

Good to know, thank you!

InsomniacGuy wrote:Well, this is a bit self-serving, but I have some smoky masks acquired in a Craigslist transaction. You might consult others regarding the probability of eliminating the smoke odor. I'm still new to the CPAP world, but my guess is that the cushions would need to be replaced if you don't tolerate smoke.

For description, sizes, and photos, see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=103762&p=977019&hil ... ff#p977019

I'll PM you...

Thank you but I am certain I would not be able to use them. I really get ill from the smell of smoke. Even barbecue kind of smoke. I don't go out much and when I run errands and get near someone who just smoked I get a bit queasy. My father smoked cigars when I was a kid and I loved the smell back then!