Mask/cushion replacemt

The advantage of being ABLE to get them after 3 months is so that you can have some backups. You are not required to keep getting them if you don't need them. I would take advantage of it so that you have one or two on hand. No sense to store up beyond that unless you think your coverage is going to end. Plastic does get 'old' after all and I don't know what the actual unused shelf life is for any of this stuff.

Keep in mind that sometimes stuff fails early. What are you going to do if your mask springs a leak that you can't fix. Now you are stuck waiting until the DME orders it and it gets shipped. If you had at least one backup, you are set and can simply order when the next one fails. In addition, having an extra mask also helps if you go somewhere and leave it behind. You are still able to use your therapy. My brother was in the hospital recently and when they moved him to a nursing home, they forgot his mask. Fortunately, I had one at home and could bring that directly to the nursing home. I could then delay getting the mask back from the hospital for a day or two and not have to make a special trip for it (hospital wasn't far, but maybe yours is 30 minutes away - quite a hassle).

FYI -

I wash my FF cushion off every morning, or else I get break outs (at 50 years old)! I rinse off the harness monthly.

My insurance provides new cushions (full face) monthly, new mask, heated hose and harness quarterly. I have a few backup cushions, and one backup mask/harness - just in case. Otherwise, when I get new stuff, I toss the old stuff.

DianeDennis wrote:I feel like you're being rude. So what if I haven't finished my profile yet. It doesn't matter what mask I'm using because that wasn't the gist of my post. And besides which, they sometimes switch me around in masks so I never remember the name of the one I'm using.

My post was about the fact that patients are misled regarding this. You can't fault the patient for throwing away the used product when the supplier and insurance company say to replace it. We're messing with potential death here. Of course we're going to listen to them.

My other point was that newbies need to be educated about this. For five years I've been doing that because they told me to use a new one every month. If I'd known that I didn't have to do that I sure wouldn't have been paying a co-pay every month for supplies that I didn't actually have to replace every month.

That's all. If we don't know then we can't do anything about it right?

How so?
But, I guess I misunderstood when you were complaining about your state Medicaid not paying for monthly replacements anymore.

From my readings, I've gathered that some masks (or the cushions) wear out sooner than others......and some don't have replaceable cushions and the whole mask needs to be replaced.
And, when the subject is regarding nasal pillows, it's also my understanding that they wear out faster than other types of masks.
So, it's a matter of comparing apples to apples (using that analogy since you live in a famous "apple" state).

Beyond my initial equipment purchase in 2005 when I met my deductible, I've purchased all of my extra machines, masks and supplies out-of-pocket and never used insurance for those consumable items. Since I started, I've read how "insurance pays" for those supplies and people took what they could without regard for how long it actually lasted. I became determined to find out how long they would last for me and have come to the conclusion that too many people probably "waste" insurance money.

For the sarcastic among us who think they're so "uppity" and need to make condescending remarks as to how long some of us actually can make this stuff last, that attitude makes me determined to see if I can make it last even longer. My masks and headgear aren't "dirty" and my seals aren't yellow.
All of the masks I use have replaceable parts and on a couple of occasions I've broken a couple of parts and replaced them. But, they keep delivering good therapy and the leak rates seem to get better the longer I've used them. I recently checked back through my data and the original (6-year old) mask seal I swapped out for a newer one in early 2011 actually had lower leak rates than the new one I put on that mask. That replacement seal is now 4 years old and giving about the same leak numbers it did when I put it on the mask (within the acceptable "vent flow rate" for my pressure). In my opinion and experience, the leak rates vary depending on the headgear adjustments. I've often wondered if the folks who think their seals/cushions are worn out actually have a problem with their headgear getting out of adjustment.

Anyway, I didn't mean to come across as "rude". Just trying to find out some info about your equipment.
Everybody's situations and experiences are different. I suspect that higher pressures would also affect the longevity of the masks, seals and headgear, too.

How would you propose that the new users be educated about the ins and outs and tips and tricks of the supplies category of this therapy?


Den

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