Who do I ask?

[LisaEileen]

It was a long process from sleep study to insurance approving my bipap. Sleep study in May. Finally got bipap in August of 2009. I have not had any contact with the sleep doctor since right after my study in May 2009. I had to get a replacement hose in the begining of this year because mine cracked. I remember the med equipment place saying to call them if I had to get replacement parts so that's what I did and they had it sent directly to me. I desperately want a new mask. I am sick of having a bright red mark on my nose no matter how I adjust my mask. I saw someone here had one that looks like it would work really well for me where it has the nose pad things and covers the mouth. I'm a mouth breather. I'll have to look back to find the name of that mask. So, I'm wondering, do I have to call the sleep doctor if I want a completely different mask or do I just call the med equipment place?

Another question...I've had bronchitis twice in the past 2 months. Someone told me that their Dad uses a cpap and he had bronchitis a few times. His doctor told him that it was probably due to a bad fitting mask, gave him a new one and he hasn't had it since. The doctor said something about the moisture must not be escaping the mask like it should and instead is being pushed into his lungs. Anyone know if that's true?

[cflame1]

as to the mask... contact the place that got you the equipment (the DME)

it's either a Hybrid or a Liberty

[LinkC]

Yes, go to your equipment supplier first. If the prescription was written "mask of patient's choice", they can change it at your request. If it specified the mask, you may have to get a new 'script from your doc.

While at the DME, find out how often your insurance will pay for replacements/supplies. (Usually 6 mos for masks, 2 mos for hoses and filters, 5 yrs for machines, etc.) That is good info to know. This stuff doesn't last forever...and you really should have usable backups of the important parts in case something gets broken or lost.

[robysue]

LisaEileen,

cflame1 is right---contact the DME about getting a new mask.

But you might also want to contact your INSURANCE company and find out how often they will replace a mask. My guess is that you are long overdue for a new replacement mask anyway. Many insurance companies will pay for a new mask on a pretty regular basis. Yours might routinely be willing to pay for a new mask every 3 or every 6 months. It's worth asking, and then you'll know when you can plan on replacing the mask BEFORE it starts to cause problems.

And when you do pick up the new mask at the DME, be sure to ask about the details of their return policy. Most of them will let you switch a mask that's not working for you for another mask in the first 30 days. So make sure you know how long you can try the new mask and still be able to return it if it doesn't work well for you.