is this a good equipment schedule?

[OSAdude76]

Hi all,

My insurance (without telling me) signed me up for automatic equipment for my CPAP. I think my insurance covers 80% of my equipment, but for a broke grad student like, that's still a lot of money. I just want to make sure they are not sending me things I do not need/things I don't need so soon. I can change it if you all think I should! Thank you

[OkyDoky]

Are you sure it was your insurance or your DME. Many DME's will have automatic replacement at whatever interval the insurance will pay. Of course that means you still have to pay your part.
I called my DME and let them know to take me off of automatic replacement and I would call them when I needed something.
It is always good to have one replacement of everything but not a closet full.

[LSAT]

Way too often. A hose(tube) east a year. Filters are needed every 3 months, Masks can last a long time with a change of pillows or cushions. Cushions last longer than pillows. Depends on the type of mask. I would let the supplier fill the first shipment so that you have a back up on everything and then tell them to stop auto. You can call when you need something. I agree with the previous poster. I'll bet it was the supplier (DME) that set this up and not your insurance co.

[Pugsy]

If you are wanting to save money ...the heated hose every 3 months isn't needed at all that frequent.
I probably have well over 7,000 hours on my current S9 heated hose. With common sense care they don't need replacing very often. It would be good to have a spare though.

The other stuff like nasal pillows. Lifespan depends on the user really but I got about 10 months out of 1 nasal pillow for my P10 before I retired them. YMMV

Filter frequency will depend on where you live and how dusty the general environment is.
I need to change mine once a month but I live out in the country in an old farmhouse so it just gets yucky looking faster.
I think ResMed says every six months or sooner if needed.
In terms of cost I found that I could buy the filters online in bulk for 12 cheaper than my insurance copay for 2 of the filters. I don't get my filters from my DME at all.

You can tell them to NOT do the auto ship thing and to wait until you ask for a specific item.

With time and experience you will learn which items need replacing more often than others.

[OSAdude76]

Thank you all for the replies!

I also thought it was too often (especially with the hose) so I think I'm just going to let them finish the shipment so I have a backup of everything then call them when I need new supplies.

Thank you!

[chunkyfrog]

My fine filters start getting gray at 3 or 4 weeks, but they help with my allergies.
If I waited 3 MONTHS to change filters it would reduce airflow.
It probably depends on where you live.
I would get a schedule from the INSURANCE company, not the DME,
and follow that as you see fit. Automatic ordering is a bad habit to start.

[Cardsfan]

I don't see the replacement schedule for the humidifier water chamber- it is every 6 months. But you should have a back up. But the water tub can last longer than 6 months.

[SewTired]

Filters are the only thing I replace regularly. Your need may be different and differ from time of year. In the summer, when there is local construction, I need to replace filter every 3 weeks. I haven't needed to replace a filter in 2 months, with everything closed up for the winter.

The schedule is supposed to be how often you CAN replace supplies, not how often you actually NEED to replace supplies. The arguments about bacteria accumulation and all that in plastic is mostly garbage. You wash stuff regularly, it is not a problem. You replace stuff that is no longer working,cracked or has growth you can't get out.

[LSAT]

I don't see the replacement schedule for the humidifier water chamber- it is every 6 months. But you should have a back up. But the water tub can last longer than 6 months.

On my first machine I used the original humidifier cup for 2+ years until I got another machine. I occasionally use it for travel.Today it still looks like new.