no longer have insurance please help

Hello everyone. I was laid off a year ago and no longer receive health care. It's been over a year since I have replaced my mask, hose and filters. I'm starting to get leaks in my mask and I know this is very bad. Due to being unemployed I can't really afford to buy new stuff from Apria health care who supplied my machine in the first place. Is there any programs or websites or companies that give away or sell (cheap) quality products for our machines? Any help would be awesome and amazing age:26 sf bay area California

Thanks

Look on Craig's List, quite often you can get stuff cheap! eBay only sells parts, but maybe just getting some new silicone for whatever type of mask will keep you going ...

Look on ebay - I get my filters and hoses from there until I reach my out of pocket max on my insurance. eBay does not sell complete masks in the US, but usually you can find replacement parts, like the cushions and headgear to replace worn out parts.

Why don't you register and fill in your equipment profile.

I don't have insurance either, I just save my pennies until I have enough for what I need, then I shop around....usually cpap.com. To clarify, there are lots of us here that do not have insurance and are on a limited budget...welcome to the club

I don't have insurance and although you can find pretty good stuff on Craigslist, I buy from cpap.com. I live in Florida and the equipment on craigslist is about the same price as brand new from cpap.com. I just settled for a "brick" until I have money for a better machine. I also talked to my sleep center and they gave me my mask for free and I get another one in September which is nice! If you have a sleep center or doctor they might be able to help like mine did!

I just ordered my new mask out of pocket from CPAP.COM, Mirage Activa for $99.00 on sale. Compared to the local DME that is a steal. Also got free shipping.

Due to the new Medicare guidelines;
http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=335
--I may be getting ALL my CPAP supplies from cpap.com.

Due to the new Medicare guidelines;
http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=335
--I may be getting ALL my CPAP supplies from cpap.com.

I'm not too worried. I think that a lot of DME's have had a boondoggle by automatically supplying replacements according to the Medicare replacement schedule whether we needed them or not. Shall I show you the extra hoses Crapria insists on sending every time I order a new mask part? It's just not worth my time to send them back and argue with those bozos, and not good for my BP. While it's good to have a backup mask and hose, it's not necessary to have dozens of these items.

All it seems to require when you order a replacement is to say "I need a new mask cushion because this one is worn out and leaking". They may just need to put "something" on the documentation. I highly doubt that Medicare is going to require DME's to make you to bring in your worn out nasal cushions for show and tell so they can be certain they're really worn out.

Keep in mind the source of the article is an online supplier who doesn't take Medicare--they want to show the plus side for ordering from them instead of a brick and mortar DME. It's pretty biased, IMHO.

LSAT wrote:Why don't you register and fill in your equipment profile.

Hi moroccoslim,

As LSAT wrote, it would help all of us if you would register and tell us exactly what equipment, machine and mask, you have. I have a few excess items. If you want to send me a Personal Message (PM) with your needs, I will see if I can help.

When my mask (F&P 407) starts to leak it's usually because the foam cushion or silicon liner type piece is getting old. Usually the foam. Those parts can be ordered from cpap.com (and other places) separately for less than a new mask. The hard plastic portion of the mask is good for many years.

Another possibility is that the headgear is stretched out. A few stitches can tighten that up.

For the filters wash what can be washed and go online for the others. They aren't that expensive if you don't go thru your dme (in your case Apria).

The suggested replacement schedule for all cpap supplies on insurance is ridiculously short.

Finally if you can't get cheap parts for your mask consider switching to a cheaper mask. I'm lucky that the mask I started with was relatively inexpensive. It's made it much easier now that I, too, have no insurance. And it works just fine.

On the other hand....... I have little sympathy for ins companies 'paying out' too much. As a biller, I see huge amounts of monies we end up eating because of the games insurance companies play. And Medicare is the trend setter of not paying much on claims.

As a consumer, I pay them(ins co) a premium. (and a really high deductible) They pay lots of underwriters lots of money to determine how they can charge more in premiums (income in) then what they would pay (expense out). It's the American way. If you are big business.

The insurance companies have been making big money off me since I was a kid, and a teen and a young adult and a mid age adult. NOW I am starting to actually have claims and now they want to nitpick? Bullhockey.

I swear the reason I don't retire is so I can continue to make them pay what they contract to pay. (I appeal a lot of claims. If you do your homework, they can't deny you. But they will not help you do your homeowrk. Not at all)

Case in point. I called up Excellus for their DME replacement schedule for cpaps equipment. The girl (and she was trying to be helpful) could not locate any such thing. I asked her how do you know when to pay or deny a claim without one? She didn't know. basically she said get what you need and see what happens. WRONG!!!!!!!! If the provider take allowance, they're out the money. And if they don't, we are out the money.

lliann wrote:On the other hand....... I have little sympathy for ins companies 'paying out' too much. As a biller, I see huge amounts of monies we end up eating because of the games insurance companies play.

True. But every cent they pay out this year they'll collect back from you next year in higher premiums. It's why they don't care that much about costs.

lliann wrote: Case in point. I called up Excellus for their DME replacement schedule for cpaps equipment. The girl (and she was trying to be helpful) could not locate any such thing. I asked her how do you know when to pay or deny a claim without one? She didn't know. basically she said get what you need and see what happens. WRONG!!!!!!!! If the provider take allowance, they're out the money. And if they don't, we are out the money.

I had exactly the same experience with my insurer years ago. I believe they keep their customer service reps uninformed intentionally. I loved the "we'll tell you how much you'll owe only after you have obligated yourself to pay in full" line.

If anyone has a medium nasal pillow swift fix for her and headgear and tubing plz let me know. I lost my ins and equipment is wearing out...thanks

moroccoslim wrote:Hello everyone. I was laid off a year ago and no longer receive health care. It's been over a year since I have replaced my mask, hose and filters. I'm starting to get leaks in my mask and I know this is very bad. Due to being unemployed I can't really afford to buy new stuff from Apria health care who supplied my machine in the first place. Is there any programs or websites or companies that give away or sell (cheap) quality products for our machines? Any help would be awesome and amazing age:26 sf bay area California

Thanks

Welcome to American healthcare. You need to look at MediCal and the special SF health plan for city residents.

Also the ACA exchanges will open in 30 days and you can sign up Oct 1 for affordable coverage starting in January so don't lose hope!

Re your current mask you probably can get by with just a new mask cushion or headgear. The hard plastic mask shells can last almost indefinitely if well cleaned and not cracked etc.