When to get a New Mask

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:51 am

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows how long a Mirage Activa Nasal mask usually lasts? And how will I know when it is time to get a new one? What do I look for.

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:01 am

Howdy,

cpap.com FAQ, Mask Section, "How often should I replace my mask?"

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Masks.html#54

Cheers

Johnny

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:30 pm

Thanks johnnygoodman...I was hoping to get a longer time out of my mask. I guess I better call my BlueCross and find out how often they cover them.

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:40 pm

Howdy,

Blue Cross Blue Shield typically covers a mask once every three to nine months, depending on your plan.

Give BillMyInsurance a call at 1-800-266-1575 and they can work with your insurance company to get you the mask of your choice.

Enjoy!

Johnny

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:48 pm

johnnygoodman...I am from Canada...does that number work for me too?

johnnygoodman · Post by **johnnygoodman** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:08 pm

Drat.

Currently, BillMyInsurance only accept US Insurance. Sorry and good luck.

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:56 pm

johnnygoodman.... Drat... is right....oh well. I am calling my insurance company tomorrow. I know for sure they replace a machine once every 5 years but like I said, not too sure about masks...I hope that's not every 5 years too. I'll find out tomorrow. I like how a lot of the people on here get to try a mask every 3 months...I wish I could have done that. I had only 1 month to figure out what I was going to use.

capt · Post by **capt** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:20 pm

Lindas88, My Ultra Mirage is over 4 years old. I did have to replace a headgear clip($12 cdn) and the cushion clip($20 cdn). The cushion itself is as soft and pliable as when I first bought the mask. The headgear is starting to show some signs of wear though. I found the Ultra Mirage to be one reliable and very sturdy mask.

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:32 pm

WOW...that's great capt.....hopefully I will get a long time out of mine too. How did you make it last so long? Is there any special thing that you did?

capt · Post by **capt** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:06 pm

I just washed it with baby soap. I must admit that I did not wash it daily. My schedule was maybe once a week. I rarely took it completely apart to clean it. I have no idea how the cushion clip broke, but I thought that its build to be very flimsy. The headgear clip that I always used really did not crack or break, it just lost its retention spring to hold it in place. It was the clip that I always used to release my headgear. I probably could have made it last longer if I had switched clips when I washed the headgear.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:28 pm

I must admit that I did not wash it daily. My schedule was maybe once a week. I rarely took it completely apart to clean it.

Good routine, imho. I really believe masks last longer and work better, the less we "take 'em apart". There's too much chance of the parts not sealing quite as snugly as they did straight from the manufacturer.

Gently wiping skin oils off the cushion surface with mild soap and lukewarm water... and never taking the mask apart....all my masks have held up fine for months and months - no signs of needing replacement yet.

lindas88 · Post by **lindas88** » Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:43 pm

capt....good idea about switching the clips. I must start doing that. And maybe I'll take you and Rested Gals advice and just clean the mask a little less often without taking all apart. It's a pain doing it every second day anyway. Thanks.

OldSeaRock · Post by **OldSeaRock** » Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:51 am

Cleaning the mask every second day?

Gosh, mine probabably has barnacles on it... ....