Why would replace my water chamber in my System One Auto?

[Logs]

The Respiratory company called me constantly to tell me I needed supplies, and thinking my insurance was covering it, I said 'sure, send it to me.' Well now I have many masks, tubes, and even an extra water chamber. Really? That wears out? I highly doubt it. Anyway, I get my filters, et al from cheaper sources now, but what about that chamber?

I don't see why I'd replace the silicone part of the mask either, unless it were damaged, but I have 4 or 5 of those too.

[Therapist]

masks, tubes, and even an extra water chamber

You need to be in charge. Don't be a wimp letting people walk over you.

Nothing comes to my house without my approval.

[hobbs]

"and thinking my insurance was covering it, I said 'sure, send it to me."

Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

[JDS74]

Respironics water chambers do sometimes fail but not very often.
Having one spare is a good idea but not a closet full of them.
The same goes for hoses, masks, filters, etc.
I have several masks as backup but that is because my mask is the only oral mask made and I can't use any other design so I got several just in case. For more normal mask types, one or two spares sounds about right but not bunches of them.
When the company calls to see if they can send you new stuff, only agree to that which you actually need, not what the insurance company might pay for. Excess collection of CPAP stuff because the insurance company pays for it just drives the cost of insurance up for you and everybody else.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Another option to insurance company largesse (ie. greed) and CPAP user hoarding is to take some of your new 'closet' masks and supplies out of storage and sell them cheap to members of this forum and/or trade them for stuff you actually need. Below is a good trading thread related to what I just said. It's ecological, plus helpful to others in need of supplies. I use this thread a lot and it's not just for CPAP nasal pillows:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36070&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... &start=945

[LSAT]

Of course they are calling you...they want the business. It's up to you to say..."stop calling". You call them if you need something.

[archangle]

I recommend having at least one replacement in case the one you have breaks. If your insurance covers it, get at least one replacement for everything, maybe even two as soon as they'll pay for them. After that, only replace them as needed.

I like to clean one set of mask, hose, and water tanks every week, then put the clean parts away and let them sit dry for a week to help keep the germ growth down. I use the parts I washed the week before. I'm somewhat convinced the parts last longer this way, too.

I'd like to have at least 3 sets of everything. That way, even if one breaks, I can still swap them for cleaning, and I have a spare. Then I'd order a replacement part to get me back to 3 sets.

Long term, you don't spend any more money for you or the insurance company, since you only replace them when they wear out.

[Logs]

Therapist, no one is "walking all over me," they basically said I need these things and they would send them once they get auth from insurance co. Never using any kind of device like this all my life, I trusted them. It turns out ins was only covering partial, so I put a stop to these money grubbers calling me anyway. Though I swear I don't recall approving a water tank; no matter, I'm sure it'll get used some day, but other than filters, they were vague on the supplies they claimed I needed, and I assumed that they were honest.

Hobbs, the icons at the end of your post show you may have cents, but you're lacking in sense. What problem am I causing, using my insurance? The people calling me were the ones creating this problem! And it's not like I lost my house over this. Save your replies for someone who needs pointless drivel, as you are rife with it.

My thanks to those who gave sensible, relevant answers. I've found much cheaper supplies online, and just furthered my belief that our healthcare system is just a breeding ground for sleazy, opportunistic dirtbags who prey on the ignorant.

BTW, the company who milked me for the few $ they could is called Pacific Pulmonary Services.

[chunkyfrog]

Like others say, one spare of each important part is a good idea.
Any breakage always happens at night. (that is when we use this stuff),
and on the weekend (that's when "Murphy" works)
As for hoarding; the best stuff eventually always gets discontinued,
--and since my first 20 masks didn't work all that well,
I'd worry too much if I was sleeping "JIT" to ever get any sleep.
(explanation: JIT='just-in-time', meaning you order spares only as needed
--whoever thought that was a good idea?)

[Jdub]

It's important to replace your mask at a bare minimum of once a year. There are some studies that show that once a mask reaches 1 year old the Bacteria growth increases significantly even with proper cleaning. That said I would still recommend replacing your mask twice a year, tube once a year and your filters regularly. Replacing your chamber could be once annually, definitely not more.

Spares are also a great thing. These things always seem to break at the worst times (including holidays)

[hobbs]

Hobbs, the icons at the end of your post show you may have cents, but you're lacking in sense. What problem am I causing, using my insurance? The people calling me were the ones creating this problem! And it's not like I lost my house over this. Save your replies for someone who needs pointless drivel, as you are rife with it..

Sounds like I hit a nerve, sorry.

[Sleepysuz]

My chamber gets hard water build up in it and I have to soak it in vinegar. The metal base gets crunchy film on it
Wonder if the inside of tubing is also getting crusty. I rinse it in vinegar but can't scrub it so replace it now and then. When I'm due for stuff they call me by machine and I push yes or no for each item so they only send me what I want

[Wulfman...]

It's important to replace your mask at a bare minimum of once a year. There are some studies that show that once a mask reaches 1 year old the Bacteria growth increases significantly even with proper cleaning. That said I would still recommend replacing your mask twice a year, tube once a year and your filters regularly. Replacing your chamber could be once annually, definitely not more.

Spares are also a great thing. These things always seem to break at the worst times (including holidays)

IS THAT A FACT??????
Please provide the links to those studies!!!

There's "bacteria" EVERYWHERE, you nitwit!
Are you implying that YOUR OWN bacteria can harm you?


Den

.

[Goofproof]

My chamber gets hard water build up in it and I have to soak it in vinegar. The metal base gets crunchy film on it
Wonder if the inside of tubing is also getting crusty. I rinse it in vinegar but can't scrub it so replace it now and then. When I'm due for stuff they call me by machine and I push yes or no for each item so they only send me what I want

Kind of sounds like you don't know how to take care of your equiptment, ever hear of distilled water, it's what smart people use in their HH's, it also what is supposed to be used in the HH, be the manufacturer. Jim

[sc0ttt]

My DME isn't pushy but I got the extra humidifier tank when scheduled just to have the spare - I'm more worried about dropping it than wearing it out. I also have a spare heated hose ready.

And I did get on the automatic monthly deliveries for filters and nasal pillows - cuz what the hell.