Getting a new mask, maybee?

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:05 am

How hard is it to get a new mask from youre home health care provider when youv'e only had the mask 5 days? I've got the comfort gel nasal mask with chin strap. And have got the head gear adjusted ok, but by itself my mouth still comes open and the treatment is no good, and have adjusted the chinstrap way past the discomfort level when I use it.
I just didn't know how easy home health care would e to work with on changing to a full face mask. I have medicare for insurance, but some of those full face mask are prety expensive. The Mirage Quattro is what I used in th sleep study ,it worked real well. Thanks for any help.

Duke

jimbassett · Post by **jimbassett** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:13 am

Medicare will replace your mask every three months. In a few days I will be due a due a new mask. I am also thinking about getting the Quatro ff this time. It doesn't matter what the cost, Medicare pays the same for all masks. Usually a little more than twice what they cost at cpap.com.

allergyridden · Post by **allergyridden** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:14 am

My DME allows an exchange within 30 days, so go for it. Cpap.com has a measuring guide, if you don't know the size you used at the lab. Didn't they give you the mask after your study? Most of them send you home with the mask you slept in there.

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:26 am

allergyridden,
they didn't give me the one I slept in , and I was wandering why, but not knowing anything about apnea , I thought they knew best. I think I will at least call and find out if I can trade r something. I'm starting to feel better through the day but still waking up off & on with that weird rush of air in my mouth when my mouth comes open if I dont use the chin strap.
Thanks for the reply. Duke

kona0197 · Post by **kona0197** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 5:43 am

Will Medicare let you get a new mask if your dog got ahold of your mask after you've only had it a day?

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:00 am

After my sleep study they didn't give me my mask. I assume that they sterilized them and reused them from the way they were packaged. I wonder how many hospitals give you the mask after the sleep study.

kona0197 Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:43 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will Medicare let you get a new mask if your dog got ahold of your mask after you've only had it a day?

I don't have medicare but I wouldn't think they would due to their policy of replacing the mask every three months. My DME told me to be sure and take care of it since my insurance only replaces every three months -- the headgear is replaced every six months. I am assuming that means that on the mask replacement you would have to stay with your current mask every three months and if you want to change mask styles you could do that every six months but I could be wrong on that.

kona0197 · Post by **kona0197** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:23 am

So if my dog tore up my mask a day after I got it I could get a new one? Would they bring it to me the same day granted I needed it for sleep that night? I'm asking for a friend. Thanks.

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:44 am

Because Medicare will allow a headgear only every 6 months most DME's won't let you have a new mask but every 6 months because even though they bill the mask and headgear as seperate items they won't sell the mask without the headgear unless you are willing to foot the entire bill for the headgear which is generally around $75.00 ( not the cpap.com price).

Don't know about the dog problem. I threatened mine with a trip to the pound if they ate my mask. (Not really, I'd almost give up sleep for my buds)

Jerry

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, medicare, DME

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:10 am

I'm not sure about the dog issues but I did get off the phone with my home health care provider and they said I had 7 days from when I got the mask to decide if it was gonna be the right one for me. I'm on day 5, and they didn't sound like it would be a problem, told me they would be delivering to a town 15 miles from me but I,m still waiting for them to call back.
Now it's just wait and see I guess.

Duke

mch441 · Post by **mch441** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:12 am

when i had my second study with the machine the tech sent me home with the nasal mask i used for the sleep study then ordred a full face mask for me and also gave me a little advice to call after a few days and tell them that i was having a problem and and wanted to try somthing else,2 days later the woman was at my house with a selection of masks to choose from!!!

Duke · Post by **Duke** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:27 am

mch441,
well what it comes down to for me is that the the treatment is supposed to make us sleep better and thus day to day life better. And if the mask is not gonna work right for me after trying adjustments, I'm not even going to turn on the cpap machine at night, the mask can just collest dust.
But it sounded ike they would help me on the phone. And I'm glad you got some help so quick with your mask, and not a bad way to get it by the way.

Duke

mch441 · Post by **mch441** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 10:19 am

i was in exactly the same postion as you are.

my first time around with cpap 10 years ago i was told this is what you get and like it there was nothing elso to talk about ,needless to say it wound up collecting dust in my closet .this time around it is completely different they actually want you to be comfortable and seem to go out of there way to make sure you are.the tech at the sleep center told me to call the dme as many times as i had to untill they found me something that worked.they also did not ask for any used equipment back so i actually have a nice little collection!!

my favorite so far is the swift 11 ,and for a chin strap i use a topaz adjustable strap ,works really well but you may have to by that on your own.my dme which is called PULMINARY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST'S didnt have it i had to get it online.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 2:41 pm

Well ," Air - Care " thats my home health provider, I can't say enough good things about them. They replaced my nasal mask with the Mirage Quattro FF, and out close to 60 miles in the rain way up here at the foot of the mountain. I'm not saying it's a miracle . but no complaints and they said if this mask didn't work out just give'm a call and they would help again. I had to exchange the nasal mask but it wasn't working that well any way.
The tech was probably just as helpful with fit as the nurse was at the dr.s office, and that meant alot with this head gear going on to the mask different. I just hope everyone else has good luck with there home health care providers. Best wishes, Duke