Limit on how many masks in the first 30 days?

[RomeinDNVR]

I have been on CPAP for just over two weeks now and I am on my third mask from the DME. Is there a limit, or are you able to keep trying until you find one that works? Does it depend on the DME?

It seems like an endless battle to find something that doesn't leak into my eyes. The next one they are sending me is a Mirage Quattro, I am hoping it works for me!

Thanks,
Rome

[LSAT]

Depends on the DME. The mfg give a 30 day return. The DME can return the used masks for credit...often they are allowed to keep them as demos.

[b360155]

It depends on somebody, but I'm not sure who. My DME told me I got one free exchange in the first 30 days. First they said it was an insurance issue, then they said it was the manufacturer. I asked them if I switched, could I go back to the first one if the second one didn't work. They said they'd hold it for me for 2 weeks, then I'd have to take one of the two. The last thing the DME told me was that it was a manufacturer (Resmed) limitation...the one free exchange in the first 30 days. And they said they had to return the one I didn't take back to the manufacturer in order for them to receive a credit. Obviously, if you're on your third mask from your DME, then the one free exchange limit didn't apply to you. I've read other posts too where people have switched multiple times without any additional charge. I just applied for a 3rd mask under the CPAP Library 1-week trial program. You pay $14 for postage and get to try the mask for one week. But if your DME is allowing free exchanges, I'd just keep trying out different ones until they tell you "no mas"!

[cowlypso]

Technically, there's no limit. The manufacturer doesn't care. The DME returns the mask (or just fills out the paperwork), and the manufacturer gives them the credit. The manufacturer doesn't keep track of how many masks each patient tries (especially since a patient will often try masks from different manufacturers). The DME shouldn't care either, since they get credit for each mask that is returned. The insurance company also doesn't care, since they pay for a mask and are done with it. They only pay for one (not sure if it's the first one or the one you end up keeping, but they only have to pay once).

So why the limit? Because the DME doesn't want to deal with it. They'd rather not fill out the paperwork, process the return, or get credits rather than cash. So the DME will limit you. I was told by my DME that they have a "limit" of 3 masks. However, that's not a firm limit. If the RT thinks that you still need to try another mask, then they'll let you keep trying until you find the right one. But they say that there's a limit so patients make an honest effort to make the masks work for them.

[chunkyfrog]

My DME takes so long to get another mask, it seriously limits my exchanges.

[RomeinDNVR]

My DME takes so long to get another mask, it seriously limits my exchanges.

I hear ya! It took 1.5 weeks for me to get my last one, even though they said it would be 2 business days.

What do you think of your current mask? I was able to try on a few different FFMs when my RT came over but he didnt' have a comfortgel mask.

Thanks,
Rome

[codinqueen]

Rome.... Maybe you would do well with a Swift Fx if your pressure isn't too high. I have no problem with this mask, got used to sleeping with it very quickly and sleep like a log. I have seen some people with pressure up to 14 still able to use a Swift FX when they can't get comfortable with others.

[archangle]

Someone posted one of the manufacturer's mask exchange policy and it was a "one patient, one exchange" policy. I don't remember which manufacturer, but it probably was ResMed or Respironics.

Quite a few cpaptalk members have gotten more than one mask exchange from their DME.

[pianochick]

I just got my second mask in 30 days, plus I got to keep my first mask, both by Resmed. I went from a FFM to the Mirage FX. When I was with a prior DME, I also got to keep the first mask I didn't end up using, so maybe it has to do with the manufacturer or the insurance co. I can't imagine needing to return a used mask!

[RomeinDNVR]

My DME just called me to see if I received my new mask (which I haven't yet). I asked her if I should send back the other two and apparently they don't care... I can get as many masks as needed in the first 30 days! So that being said I will probably have a couple of very low used masks that I can send to someone if needed for free.