DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies

Spoke with my DME about getting some new CPAP supplies, especially the cushions which distort and leak with just two weeks of use. Here is what the DME rep indicated which ResMed recommends for the replacement schedule, and this schedule is blessed by the insurance carrier:

Headgear straps every six months
Tubing every three months
Plastic mask frame every three months
Filters every two weeks, even if one sees no visible changes
Cushion every two weeks

This frequency is surprising, except for the cushions. Why change the tubing absent damage? Why change the plastic frame unless it breaks? Do you members change the filter regularly even if there's no visible changes?

Big surprise...manufacturers tend to recommend replacement schedules that coincide with what most insurance allows.
Nice easy way to increase sales.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:55 pm

Big surprise...manufacturers tend to recommend replacement schedules that coincide with what most insurance allows.
Nice easy way to increase sales.

Nothing like putting patient needs first, right?

Physician wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:51 pm

Spoke with my DME about getting some new CPAP supplies, especially the cushions which distort and leak with just two weeks of use. Here is what the DME rep indicated which ResMed recommends for the replacement schedule, and this schedule is blessed by the insurance carrier:

Headgear straps every six months
Tubing every three months
Plastic mask frame every three months
Filters every two weeks, even if one sees no visible changes
Cushion every two weeks

This frequency is surprising, except for the cushions. Why change the tubing absent damage? Why change the plastic frame unless it breaks? Do you members change the filter regularly even if there's no visible changes?

I was told to change the filter once a month and they gave me 4 extras. They are also sending me 3 more mask cushions that I was told should be changed every 3 months. Insurance allows it to be changed more often if I want to. I was surprised they didn’t push changing things out more often.

As far as the heated hose goes, I have a zippered cover to protect mine. The headgear is VERY nice and I don’t think I will need that replaced often. Not much can go wrong with the plastic frame either unless you happen to step on it. LOL

Rubyslipperss wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:59 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:55 pm

Big surprise...manufacturers tend to recommend replacement schedules that coincide with what most insurance allows.
Nice easy way to increase sales.

Nothing like putting patient needs first, right?

Especially when the patient needs to pay 20% of the cost. Not only do they ripoff insurance, they also ripoff the patient. 2 for 1!

prodigyplace wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:16 pm

Rubyslipperss wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:59 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:55 pm

Big surprise...manufacturers tend to recommend replacement schedules that coincide with what most insurance allows.
Nice easy way to increase sales.

Nothing like putting patient needs first, right?

Especially when the patient needs to pay 20% of the cost. Not only do they ripoff insurance, they also ripoff the patient. 2 for 1!

I am lucky. My supplemental insurance covers the 20%.

If you want to make sure your supplies (consumables) last longer.........pay for them out of your own pocket..
I guarantee you'll figure out how to NOT waste money on them.

In 13 years of use, I've worn out two sets of headgear and two FF mask cushions.
Still using my original hose and filters (they're washable foam).
I have plenty of spares of everything for future use but have never relied on my insurance to pay for them.
They were all purchased "out-of-pocket"........from places like www.cpap.com


Den

.

wrote: Headgear straps every six months
Tubing every three months
Plastic mask frame every three months
Filters every two weeks, even if one sees no visible changes
Cushion every two weeks

This is the Medicare schedule. If you want to complain, complain to the government. If insurance companies had a less generous schedule than Medicare, you would be bitching about that.

BTW, no one is forcing you to take supplies more often than needed.

ChicagoGranny wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:30 pm

BTW, no one is forcing you to take supplies more often than needed.

Lincare sure tries! They send this every month.

From:CPAP/Bi Level Supply Center

Dear Valued Customer,

According to your insurance provider guidelines, you are eligible to receive new supplies. Your insurance company promotes your health by allowing you to replace your supplies on a regular basis to prevent complications caused by wear, bacteria, or mold.

For your convenience, you can review and select replacement supplies for your CPAP/Bi-Level system now by visiting the website link below.

Thank you for choosing LINCARE as your sleep therapy supplier. We are committed to providing the best possible care to ensure that you benefit from your sleep therapy.

Sincerely,

The LINCARE Customer Service Team

View and Order Replacement Supplies
Information about your order shipment:
Normal delivery time is 7-10 business days. Please be aware that you will be responsible for any co-payment or deductible amount that your insurance requires.

For customer service, call 1-888-544-2715

I kept getting calls from my supplier reminding me I could order CPAP supplies. It got to the point they would call every week since I had not ordered anything for over four months. I finally called them and asked to be put on their no contact list. I contact them when I need to order supplies. Most manufacturers recommend you change the cushion every month. I am currently doing a trial for Resmed with the F20 FFM to see if a cushion will last 13 weeks. I'm sure it will, as my wife has been using her current cushion for over three months. We don't change the cushion until we can no longer control the leaks.

prodigyplace wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 18, 2018 3:17 pm

View and Order Replacement Supplies

You have to take action to get supplies. Do you have no discipline? What do you do with junk mail? Fall for every thing that hits your mailbox?

Those new to CPAP, or who have not found this resource, or who have not acquired experience to the contrary, have no reason to question the DME recommendations - especially since those recommendations are allowable by Medicare. Following replacement guidelines could be considered making one's best effort to succeed at this treatment, based on the information provided by medical professionals. I feel no need to malign those following doctor's orders to work with their DME on equipment issues. To be honest, I've struggled with masks that have have far exceeded their prime. There is no badge of honor for length of overuse, but when paying cash it certainly does incentivize maximizing a mask's lifespan. No glory, no shame either way. Sometimes I wish I were in a position to be more proactive and prevent problems instead solve them.

I always recommend to newbies that they get their new supplies on the insurer's schedule until they have a duplicate of everything (though it's not practical for most to duplicate the machine itself) because you never know when something is going to fail. There's no need after that to collect supplies just to collect them, but having backups is a very good idea.

Headgear can stretch out and become harder to fit. Filters really should be changed often - depending on where you live and how much "Shtuff" you have in the air in your house. Especially if it's like pollen season or if you have anything happening that could churn up dust or derbies - like remodeling a bathroom for example LOL...

{had a bathroom demo done that was attached to my bedroom. This was before I started CPAP... the tile dust or what ever it was - White chalky junk - got in my keyboard and ruined all the bearings of all the fans in my computer. I should have known better at the time, but you couldn't see anything till later when you noticed everything was covered in gritty baby powder.}

some of the other stuff... I guess your mileage may very. I personally like to stock up for a rainy day, at the very least you should have 1 or 2 extras of everything you need encase something breaks you have a backup to use while you wait for a replacement.

I've been in chats about how much one should acquire as far as a "Stash" and the consensus is still rather contentious. Some people are very vocal about not ordering anything unless you absolutely need it like having extra parts is a crime against humanity - then again others will order everything they absolutely can under the limits of insurance and resell the stuff... although personally I think that's a major no no and isn't cool at all.

I have a large drawer full of supplies - I've had to go with out coverage for 3 years at one point and that "Stash" served me well. I would order what you feel comfortable with. Once you know what works for you. As I said at the least make sure you have one extra of everything. Then after that you do what you feel is best.

Good luck! Rest well.

Gryphon

Better to be safe than sorry.