Replacing filters and hose

[cpapabuser]

The company I'm with sends me 2 disposable filters every month plus a hose, do these really need to be changed out that much? I was just curious how often everyone changes theirs out.

[Goofproof]

The filters are a nice idea, the hose us just for more profit for them, check with them when you can get a new mask that's handy. Every 6 mo. or maybe 3 mo, is the norm, when you can get one spares are nice and different ones too. Jim

[guest2]

They send the parts out that often because that is what Medicare guidelines say, most private insurance companies have a 3 and 6 month schedule. Allot of patients don't know that but they should, people pay thousands of dollars a year for insurance and no one ever tells them what they really get in return. I would ask them to tell you what your recommended fee schedule is, and the tubing is actually the part that should be changed most often, especially with a humidifier chamber. The bacteria build up can make you extremely sick, even if you wash it, it won't kill everything. Also remember that air goes through the FILTERS into the TUBING and to the MASK and int your lungs. I would change everything as often as possible, if not your only denying your body its proper health.[/b]

[Goofproof]

[quote="guest2"]They send the parts out that often because that is what Medicare guidelines say, most private insurance companies have a 3 and 6 month schedule. Allot of patients don't know that but they should, people pay thousands of dollars a year for insurance and no one ever tells them what they really get in return. I would ask them to tell you what your recommended fee schedule is, and the tubing is actually the part that should be changed most often, especially with a humidifier chamber. The bacteria build up can make you extremely sick, even if you wash it, it won't kill everything. Also remember that air goes through the FILTERS into the TUBING and to the MASK and int your lungs. I would change everything as often as possible, if not your only denying your body its proper health.[/b]

[Guest 2]

The parts are mostly made in Taiwan not china, and if you haven't heard the bird flu is in Europe and has been found in the US now to. As for the replacement parts, contact your insurance and ask why they have schedules. They find it's cheaper to pay for tubing and filters than a lung infection.

[another guest]

I breathe bacteria and all the other stuff that's in the air every day. Change my hose every six months or so, filters once a month. Just make sure the hose is dry of any moisture from 'rainout' to prevent mildew. Been doin' it this way for six years now. No lung infections, very few colds.
As for the Taiwanese, he won't get rich on my account....not with new cpap hoses, that is.....lot's of other stuff, yes.

[cpapabuser]

As long as they call I guess I will keep replacing, I guess it is better to change them too often than not enough. Thanks for all the replys.

[Eric]

Wow....

I've been going on the same hose and mask for over 2 years and really can't see any reason to change either as they both work just fine. No sense in running money out of my pocket for no good reason.

Only problem I have ever had was early on "kitty" deciding the hose was a nice thing to play with and bite holes in.
After spending $45.00 for a new hose I soon learned make sure it was where the cat couldn't get at it.
Of course a couple wraps of electrical tape fixes up the holes just fine as well and is only a couple cents.

Live and learn!...lol

[cpapabuser]

I have never paid out of pocket for the hose or the filter, they told me it was just a maintenance schedule since replacing the filters was the only way to make sure the cpap runs smoothly at all times.

[Nitro Dan]

In course of 20 years, I have changed the hose maybe 6 times. A few were due to the cat trying to climb up them... I change out the filter every few months.

[Goofproof]

I clean the pollen filter every two weeks like the manuel says and change the white monthly, It seems to make the air run cooler with the filters changed, and I like that. A little unknown factoid: Dirty filters actually filter out smaller sized particles than clean filters. (But they cause a restriction in flow while doing that.) That's why they need changed.

That comes from my vast training in mechanics.

[Amigo]

"Guest2" needs to get a life...what a crock of mis-information. Of course he/she may be a hypochondriac which would account for all the concerns about bacteria.

I agree wholeheartedly with Nitro Dan and Eric, as I haven't changed my hose in over 2 1/2 years either.

The needless replacement of perfectly good equipment is one of the reasons medical costs are so high in this country, and that has a direct bearing on your insurance premiums.

Of course, if I suddenly stop posting here, it's a sure bet that killer bacteria finally did me in...lol.

[jcobb607]

I just contacted my Insurance to find out what my benefits were concerning changing masks ect. My rep informed me that "there really is not a set number of masks per year, as long as it is a medical requirement, you are eligble". So I called my DME provider and informed them what I was told by the rep. They laughed and told me to just go by medicaid guidelines and replace it every 3-6 months if needed. My response to her then was, it is not needed right now but I am going to get a new mask every 6 months anyway just to have a spare and / or different styles. Since it has been 6 months today that I have been on therapy, I have an appointment with them next week.

[linda b]

One of the reasons I enjoy this site so very much is that it is not cluttered up with posters 'bashing' other posters. The tone of Amigo's response to Guest 2 was, in my humble opinion, rather rude and uncalled for. Even if we feel someone's views may be off base, even extreme sometimes, it isn't necessary to respond in such an ungentlemanly or unladylike manner. Words CAN hurt. Aren't we all just trying to help and support each other the best we can?

[Amigo]

...Aren't we all just trying to help and support each other the best we can?

Absolutely, Linda, but unfortunately there is so much mis-information that occasionally I simply lose my temper.

I'm afraid I'm also much more intolerant of those who post anonymously since they seem to be providing the most outrageous, erroneous information.

As a long-term CPAP user, I appreciate how important it is to provide correct, informed information to those who so desperately need it, and will always do my utmost to provide it.

I apologize for offending your sensibilities, and will try to behave in a more gentlemanly manner in the future.