what should be changed every 6 months?

besides hear gear
and cushion *for face*
how about tubing? anything else?

Nothing unless you have to. The schedule is based on what Medicare ALLOWS, not what you need to have. Just make sure you have backups of everything (2 if you want) and you are good to go.

Don't forget filters.

moreorless wrote:besides hear gear
and cushion *for face*
how about tubing? anything else?

your oil... nothing on the cpap should be changed on a schedule.

OkyDoky wrote:Don't forget filters.

change 'em when they get dirty... don't wait for the 'thick coat of felt' stage.

i don't replace anything until it needs replacing.

moreorless wrote:besides hear gear
and cushion *for face*
how about tubing? anything else?

For me,
Headgear - lasts about 4 - 6 years.
Mask cushion/seal - lasts 4 - 6 years.
Tubing - still using the same one I started with in 2005.

Have some spares in reserve for backups.


Den

.

raisedfist wrote:i don't replace anything until it needs replacing.

+1 Most equipment and supplies last MUCH longer that the supplier (DME) suggests. Just have a back up on everything. Then only replace when something breaks or wears out. I've been using my current hose for 2.5 years. I have never changed headgear on a mask. Masks are plastic and they last forever....only the silicone cushion or pillows need occasional replacing.

LSAT wrote:Masks are plastic and they last forever....only the silicone cushion or pillows need occasional replacing.

I had *two* elbows break on my mirage quattro, until they changed the design and got rid of the fragile 'fingers' that clipped it into the main mask frame... third one outlasted the frame, which eventually wore out where the elbow swivels.

the forehead adjustment also broke, but I just wedged a bit of felt in there to keep it from spinning freely.

my silicone cushion outlasted everything else though I never had to open the spare I bought when I started. I really should dig it out and sell it.

Don't forget a back up machine or two, (The second back up is for Murphy and his friend), if you keep Murphy happy things go well. Jim

It all depends whose paying for it. My supplier has my prescription, emails me every 3 month with a list of what I'm eligible for along with a multiple choice list
of why I need it as required by the insurance. If I don't need something and I don't select it, I can't check out until I do. Go figure!

Tell your supplier you will call when you need supplies. If they are forcing you to get unneeded supplies, they are taking advantage of insurance and we all end up paying.
Get a copy of your prescription and you can buy wherever you want. Find out what other providers are covered under your insurance.
If they are telling you it is required by the insurance that is underhanded and wrong. Allowed maybe but not required except for their profit.

palerider wrote:

OkyDoky wrote:Don't forget filters.

change 'em when they get dirty... don't wait for the 'thick coat of felt' stage.

An associate at the sewing center related that a lady came in asking how often to replace the filter under the presser foot.
She had an accumulated pad of lint there because she had no clue that area needed to be CLEANED!

My sleep doc says replace everything as often as the insurance will cover. He say that even it stuff "looks" clean, it may be contaminated with micro organisms. I don't know if he's right and I really haven't been doing it.

dwood003 wrote:It all depends whose paying for it. My supplier has my prescription, emails me every 3 month with a list of what I'm eligible for along with a multiple choice list
of why I need it as required by the insurance. If I don't need something and I don't select it, I can't check out until I do. Go figure!

that attitude "depends on whose [sic] paying for it" is just wasteful.