Quattro FX sizing

[TalonNYC]

Hi everyone:

I'm going to have my DME send a Quattro FX since it's time for my mask replacement (this shipment I get the headgear and all, so I can experiment). I use a Quattro Mirage, and take a medium in that, so if anyone knows what size I should go for with the Quattro FX, I'd appreciate the advice.

They'll send it with 2 additional seal/inserts, so if it's one of those "you may want to try size X and size Y" things, I can do that.

Thanks in advance.

[dg]

What is a DME? And what are the seal/inserts?

Can you just buy masks and stuff online? I thought I had to get all my stuff from the medical equipment supply place where the sleep apnea people sent me three months ago, but just this week I learned that there are places all over town and the internet that sell CPAP equipment.

How does that work with insurance? I'm having to "rent" my machine until the insurance company deems it acceptable based on my sending in a chip out the machine so they can see how much I have used it. And it is my understanding that they will pay for only one mask.

I jsut don't understand how all this works.

[TalonNYC]

Hi DG:

First things first, tell us about you and your equipment by filling out your profile, then we can help you a lot more effectively. There's a green guy up near the top of the page, that has a lot of info for New Users. It's all free =)

Now, on to at least some of your questions:

1 - DME is Durable Medical Equipment - usually used to refer to the providers of your xPAP gear. The supply place you went to is a DME provider.
2 - Masks come in several parts. One of which is the gel or silicone seal that actually goes against your face/nose. They are typically swapped out for different sizes pretty easily, as the hard plastic parts are designed to accomodate more than one size of seal.

3 - Yes, you can buy stuff online if you want, such as from our hosts at CPAP.com. They do require that you have a prescription from your doctor, but it sounds like you have that. Note that most online sites don't directly accept insurance, so you'd have to - at a minimum - pay out of pocket and then file for reimbursement. Check with your insurance provider for details on that one, but in nearly every case you're stuck with whoever your insurance provider sends you to unless you want to pay up front. It's a horrible system, but it's what we've got.

4- All insurance providers will supply replacement parts on a regular schedule (you may have to pay a copay of course). Usually the bits that touch your skin will get swapped out every 1 or 3 months, the whole mask, hose and such every six months, but your insurance may have a different schedule. The parts typically last a lot longer than the swap-out interval, so this gives you the chance to stockpile spare mask parts =) What I'm talking about here is asking my DME to send a different mask entirely, since I'm up for a full-mask replacement this month anyway. Some DME's will do that, others will only send the same mask. Usually if you ask firmly and politely they will send a different one, but don't do that until you have some spare parts for your "main" mask.

As for the insurance, I'm extremely blessed. My insurance provider was pretty generous and bought the device outright, so I can't help with the rental info, but MANY folks on here can, and would be happy to offer advice. Just start a new thread after you fill out your profile (as much as you can) and folks will jump in and help. Note that weekends and holidays aren't that busy here, so you might have to wait a bit for answers.

Welcome to the forum, by the way. I've learned a TON of stuff over the last six months here, so hang in there, and ask questions!

[Knightmare]

I used a medium sized Mirage Quattro. I switched to the Quattro FX like 5 months ago and use a medium size. No problems since. Hope you like the new mask, I love it!

[Otter]

Hi everyone:

I'm going to have my DME send a Quattro FX since it's time for my mask replacement (this shipment I get the headgear and all, so I can experiment). I use a Quattro Mirage, and take a medium in that, so if anyone knows what size I should go for with the Quattro FX, I'd appreciate the advice.

The Quattro FX sizes run a tad smaller than the Mirage Quattro sizes, but this may be deceptive because the QFX rides lower on the nose. Odds are you're still a medium, but it wouldn't hurt to check.

What I did was to download the MQ sizing template from cpap.com, and then marked it with the measurements they list for the QFX. According to the cpap.com rep I talked to, the point to measure from on the nose is the same for both masks. I am really not sure of this, though, and I sometimes wonder if a medium mask would work as well or better for me.

If you're not in too much of hurry, request that the DME or ResMed send you the QFX sizing tool.

They'll send it with 2 additional seal/inserts, so if it's one of those "you may want to try size X and size Y" things, I can do that.

I could be wrong, but I don't think the cushions are interchangeable between QFX sizes.

[Vader]

I wear the same size (medium) in either the M.Quattro or Qfx.
To be sure that this would be the same for you, I would use the sizing tool, which comes in separate packaging.
According to my supplier, the mask cushions are NOT interchangable.
IOW, a medium frame can ONLY be used with a medium cushion.

[TalonNYC]

Thanks folks. I'll use the downloadable template, if it looks like I'm a medium I'll go for it, otherwise I'll have them send the physical sizer.

[Vader]

I forgot to mention that although the mask sizing tool is available separately, mine came "attached" in a separate package. I was told to measure with that tool BEFORE opening the mask, this way if it's not the right size, I could easily return it.

[TalonNYC]

ooh, thanks Vader, that's really cool. I'll ask if the DME I use sends those with the mask.

[Otter]

ooh, thanks Vader, that's really cool. I'll ask if the DME I use sends those with the mask.

I didn't get one of those with my order from cpap.com. Could be that's because I got mask without headgear plus large headgear, though.

[kempo]

I got a Quattro FX for my last mask because I thought I needed a full face mask in case I ever get a head cold. The measuring tool , which comes attached to the package with the mask, pegged me for a medium. I used it for several nights but couldn't stop the leaks ( the mask was not wide enough to cover my mouth). Returned it for a large. With the help of a Pad-a-Cheek liner I got to where I could use this mask. I still get better therapy with the swift FX so that's what I still use.

So the moral of this story is the measuring tool is not always right.

[bayourest]

Hi Talon
I am use a medium quattro FX and was wearing a medium mirage but could also use a small mirage. I bet you are a medium.

[TalonNYC]

well, I'll ping the DME, but if they're not sure I'm going for the medium.