How often do you get a new mask?

[yardbird]

I think I'm "eligible" according to my insurance company, to get a new mask every 6 months or 3 months or something. I think in reality I've had the swift for well over a year (actually 2 of them). I'm thinking about shopping for a new mask and wondered how often you get new ones yourself.

I also found out at work I can opt for a "plus" plan. I have Community Blue now. Then there's like a Community Blue Plus.... not sure exactly what it's called. The only difference I can find is that one pays absolutely NOTHING for "out of plan" equipment... while the other reimburses 50%.

If I buy a mask from cpap.com and then submit it for 50% reimbursement from the insurance, it would end up being cheaper than the same mask purchased from a local DME plus co-pay.

[snoregirl]

I am with you on the over a year on the swift. I am on my original headgear (1 and a half years) and retired one pillow. I use a couple at a time alternating, but I think I actually retired only one of the three I have used in that time frame.

I just retired my first hose too, and may be almost ready to retire the other one that I alternate with due to loose connections with the machine.

I tried buying those hose connectors to extend the life of the hose, but didn't find them useful, although I know some do.

[Country4ever]

I have discovered that my Swift pillow wears out after 1-3 months. The nasal prongs just get too flimsy and I start leaking alot.

[lvwildcat]

My insurance covers new mask every 3 months;new headgear every 6 months.Hmmm... I've always received new gear when I order a new mask.

[papdaddy]

My insurance covers new mask every 3 months;new headgear every 6 months.Hmmm... I've always received new gear when I order a new mask.

That is how my insurance is. The DME I used to be with only gave me a mask every 6 months (because of the headgear thing) and they would order a mask every 3 if I would purchase a headgear for 125.00 good grief, I could just buy the mask on line for that. Now I have switched to a Great DME. They give me a mask every 3 months no charge to me , just my insurance.


Rich

[WindFlyer]

This whole thing with needing to replace your mask every 6 months is myth busted in my opinion. If your insurance gives you a full ride and will pay for all or most of a new mask every 6 months then go for it! But for most of us we have to carry at least half of the load on the price for these things and that's too much to be spending that often. My mask lasted me for two years before I replaced it- and then just to keep things fresh- as far as functionality it still worked nearly perfectly.

[papdaddy]

This whole thing with needing to replace your mask every 6 months is myth busted in my opinion. If your insurance gives you a full ride and will pay for all or most of a new mask every 6 months then go for it! But for most of us we have to carry at least half of the load on the price for these things and that's too much to be spending that often. My mask lasted me for two years before I replaced it- and then just to keep things fresh- as far as functionality it still worked nearly perfectly.

For some people a mask may last a long time. Good for you if you got one. My swift II pillows and seal rings last about 3 to 4 months and to get replacement parts cost MORE than a new mask does. Everyones experience with masks are different.

[mch441]

ive been using the same swift 11 since march with a replacement set of pillows i think in may .when i was due for a new mask which is every 6 months i opted for a liberty which i really like but there was no way ild pay for that out of my own pocket.so the swift now serves as a good back up on the nights that i just cant get to sleep with the liberty which is maybe 1 or 2 nights a week.it is soon to be retired tho since i just scored a brand new swift 11 on ebay for 26.50 shipped !! which would have been a hell of a lot cheaper then my 30% copay if ild bought from the dme

[Wulfman]

This whole thing with needing to replace your mask every 6 months is myth busted in my opinion. If your insurance gives you a full ride and will pay for all or most of a new mask every 6 months then go for it! But for most of us we have to carry at least half of the load on the price for these things and that's too much to be spending that often. My mask lasted me for two years before I replaced it- and then just to keep things fresh- as far as functionality it still worked nearly perfectly.

I agree. I also can't imagine that there aren't deductibles and co-pays that come into play with these (free?) replacement masks, too.
I'm still trying to figure out how one can wear out a mask that fast. I've used the very same mask I started out with, except for maybe about a month's worth of time trying a couple of others, and it's still giving me a good seal after 2 1/2 years. And, all the spare stuff I have was purchased out-of-pocket from CPAP.COM.

Den

[Vader]

I've got Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, and they replace my mask automatically every three months. Lately I've been just keeping the new masks in the package, unopened.

My Mirage Quattro seems to actually fit even better as it ages, so there's no need to replace it soon, or so it appears....

[HeatherN]

My husband has had the same mask for over five years. Our insurance only pays for the initial set up and mask so we are on our own for any replacements. Nice ha?? Especially since we have two hose heads in our family(hubby and nine year old daughter) I live in fear that the CPAP or masks will die. Hubby has a sleep study this week because of new issues, the lab gave him a new mask-Yeah!

[krousseau]

My insurance follows Medicare guidelines. My Bravo has been in use 7 months with no signs of failure or wear in the "basic interface". The nasal pillows seem a bit softer and need to be replaced more often but not at a rate of two per month as allowed by Medicare Will probably get a new setup and a couple sets of extra pillows so I have an immediate replacement in case of a failure. They are sometimes on back order and I don't want to get stuck if a set that is a year old suddenly gives out. The Hybrid was the only mask I've had that needed to be replaced within three months. The thin seal/flap tore at the corners.

[Snoredog]

Just made it a year on my first Soyala, can probably get another 6 months out of it before I need to buy a replacement cushion

Been on therapy 7 years, never have purchased a replacement hose except for a aussie heated hose.