How often should things be replaced?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Rich Boston
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2025 2:26 pm

How often should things be replaced?

Post by Rich Boston » Sat Sep 06, 2025 5:28 pm

My equipment provider is constantly reminding me that I need to replace things to maintain my health. Really?

I have a React Health Rio II full face mask that has a removable component mask that touches my face. The supplier says that it needs to be replaced every month since the silicone wears out. I've used 2 masks in 7 months and don't see any difference between a used one and a new one.

They also tell me that the rest of the mask needs to be replaced like every 3 months. I'm still using the original and it works.

What am I missing? It seems like their replacement frequency is a way to generate revenue.

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 65121
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by Pugsy » Sat Sep 06, 2025 5:56 pm

Rich Boston wrote:
Sat Sep 06, 2025 5:28 pm
It seems like their replacement frequency is a way to generate revenue.
Bingo. Cash cow.

Funny how the "need to replace" schedule just happens to be how often/frequent that insurance will pay for something.

Keep a new spare of everything just in case something gets damaged and then replace only as you feel the need.

When I was using a nasal pillow mask that insurance will pay for a new cushion every 2 weeks.....I could get months and months and months of us and usually retired only because it started looking yucky and not because it didn't function well.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

User avatar
LSAT
Posts: 13347
Joined: Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:11 am
Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by LSAT » Sat Sep 06, 2025 9:12 pm

Replace when things wear out...not necessarily when the dealer tells you to. Keep a back up of each item. If you are going to have a problem it will usually be on Friday night with no CPAP supplies available.

User avatar
ChicagoGranny
Posts: 15305
Joined: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:43 pm
Location: USA

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by ChicagoGranny » Sun Sep 07, 2025 3:59 pm

Rich Boston wrote:
Sat Sep 06, 2025 5:28 pm
What am I missing?
Be sensitive to the plights of others. Your supplier has two mortgages, a boat loan, and a sports car loan to pay.
"It's not the number of breaths we take, it's the number of moments that take our breath away."

Cuando cuentes cuentos, cuenta cuántas cuentos cuentas.

Rich Boston
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2025 2:26 pm

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by Rich Boston » Tue Sep 09, 2025 8:41 am

ChicagoGranny wrote:
Sun Sep 07, 2025 3:59 pm
Rich Boston wrote:
Sat Sep 06, 2025 5:28 pm
What am I missing?
Be sensitive to the plights of others. Your supplier has two mortgages, a boat loan, and a sports car loan to pay.
Ha !!! :lol:

_________________
Machine: AirSense 11 Autoset

User avatar
Sheriff Buford
Posts: 4111
Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 8:01 am
Location: Kingwood, Texas

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by Sheriff Buford » Thu Sep 25, 2025 6:10 am

ChicagoGranny wrote:
Sun Sep 07, 2025 3:59 pm
Rich Boston wrote:
Sat Sep 06, 2025 5:28 pm
What am I missing?
Be sensitive to the plights of others. Your supplier has two mortgages, a boat loan, and a sports car loan to pay.
Dang! I can get a boat outta this? :mrgreen:

Sheriff

User avatar
ejbpesca
Posts: 317
Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2013 12:09 pm
Location: Alabama

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by ejbpesca » Sat Sep 27, 2025 6:17 am

Go by what rate your gear wears out. I would replace mask cushions every 2 weeks if I could afford it, while others get several months out of a mask cushion. Filters are advised to be changed at least changing a month, but for the rest, mileage will vary according to the user.

_________________
MachineMask

mlmollenkamp
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2016 3:46 pm

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by mlmollenkamp » Sat Sep 27, 2025 7:33 pm

I stock up on supplies once my insurance deductible has been met. I can get a year or more out of mask pillows depending on which ones. Humidifier chambers pretty much last forever if you don't put them in the dishwasher, even the ones you supposedly can. I wash them with vinegar and dish soap, a toothbrush to get into the corners. Hoses can also last a very long time as well. If I didn't have insurance I'd rarely replace much of anything other than headgear which stretches out.

_________________
Machine: Aircurve 11 asv
Mask: AirFit™ P30i Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear Starter Pack
Additional Comments: P30i is modified with Dreamwear headgear.

User avatar
MaineYooper
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2025 2:53 pm

Re: How often should things be replaced?

Post by MaineYooper » Mon Sep 29, 2025 7:46 pm

Uncle Nicko has a video in which he compares replacement schedules from ResMed for US and Australia. BIG differences. Curious, isn't it, how the schedules match reimbursement schedules?!!