How Long Can I Expect my Machine To Last / Replaced by Insurance ?

Are There Hrs, Years, life Expectancy / Guidelines ?

An average CPAP machine will most likely last 5-6 years...15,000 + hours. Most insurance/Medicare will replace at 5 years.

Yes, as already stated, most insurance in the U.S. will replace a machine after five years. This is the medicare guideline, and most private insurance companies follow it. That way, they don't have to develop their own guidelines and they don't have to worry about running afoul of Obamacare rules. I don't know about other countries and I don't know if this applies to your insurance.

It's possible that some insurances want proof that the old one is broken. If you get a replacement and the old one is still functional, it's best to keep it on hand as a spare.

Good to Know Thanks !
Over the weekend i stayed two nights away and used my old M series from the VA, which was set to one pressure setting less. During these nights i drempt & drempt and felt good once I woke. That’s what got me thinking

My S9 Elite straight cpap has 15,900 hrs. on the clock.
I guess now to decide Resmed or PR , i have no idea which ?
which one is quieter ?
which is better eliminating centrals ?
Definitely sure i would of had a stroke by now instead of two tia's if hadn't been using the hose

Unless you're especially bothered by the noise, you probably don't have to worry about getting the absolutely quietest machine. All recent model machines (except perhaps some travel machines) are very quiet. You appear to have a Central component to your Apnea (based on one of your questions), so you want to do what's best for that.

BTW, my DreamStation is quieter with the humidifier than without.

Your current primary machine is a Resmed, so I would recommend you consider the Resmed Air Sense 10 Autoset or Autoset for Her.

When we get used to the feel and function of one particular machine,
it makes sense to stick with the programming that needs less getting used to.

Not always easy:

Medicare Replacement Guidelines . . . Note: If a DME item reaches its five-year life expectancy, is in good working order and meets the patient’s medical needs, it should not automatically be replaced. -- https://www.resmed.com/us/dam/documents ... achine.pdf (bottom of second page)

Had no Problem with my DME Since I have Met & Verified .
Dream Station Script Written . Even offered to turn in for their inspection

deerslayer wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:42 pm

My S9 Elite straight cpap has 15,900 hrs. on the clock.
I guess now to decide Resmed or PR , i have no idea which ?
which one is quieter ?
which is better eliminating centrals ?

If you are happy with your ResMed, then replace it with a ResMed. The internal software algorithm will be the same and you won't be bothered by the difference.
Quiet should not be a problem as the new machines are much quieter than the older ones.
Unless you get a machine that supports timed respirations, none of them will help with centrals. I'm not up to speed on ResMed models but look for RT, R/T, or ASV in the name if centrals are a real issue. It will require a different prescription than for a 'normal' CPAP and any insurance coverage will have additional hoops to jump through. If you have been using the S9 Elite for almost 16,000 hours without big issues, then centrals a likely not a serious issue for you.

jnk... wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 14, 2018 8:39 am

Not always easy:

Medicare Replacement Guidelines . . . Note: If a DME item reaches its five-year life expectancy, is in good working order and meets the patient’s medical needs, it should not automatically be replaced. -- https://www.resmed.com/us/dam/documents ... achine.pdf (bottom of second page)

I read that guideline also, so I guess it will depend on what is reported by the DME when it is billed.

My understanding is that Medicare is going more towards the "it needs to be broken before we replace it" thing in an effort to save money. Other insurance may or may not adopt similar guidelines.
The official Medicare replacement guidelines still say "after 5 years" and don't reflect the "needs to be broken" thing but from what I am hearing Medicare is doing away with automatic replace just because of age. Medicare can do that...it's the government...they get to do what they want and not tell us why or when or whatever.

We have no way of knowing what the DME might have reported to Medicare about the status of a machine when some of you got a replacement at the 5 yr mark from your DME and the machine wasn't broken. Maybe they told a little white lie that we don't know about.
We know that they often tell big bald face lies so what's to stop them from telling a little white lie?

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 14, 2018 11:07 am

We know that they often tell big bald face lies so what's to stop them from telling a little white lie?

Sing it, Billy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbD2lAxYb-c

If I have one machine that Medicare/insurance paid for, I really don't want to wait until it breaks to begin the reorder process. Who knows how long that might take. If they required loaner machines to be given, maybe, but I don't see that as standard practice.

We all know the need for backup machines but there are some people where that isn't a possibility, especially with the higher end machines. So if there is a requirement of a broken machine and the process to get one is delayed, the user might be the one to pay with their health.