Mask and Hose replacement

DruDog1 · Post by **DruDog1** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:55 pm

How often do the hose and mask need to be replaced? Also does the insurance company have to pay for them?

amos · Post by **amos** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:22 pm

You pose two interesting questions. I am still using the same hose and mask that I received a year ago. However, since my insurance company pays for additional supplies, I now have several hoses and masks that I rotate.

The other question should be stated differently - that is, not does the insurance company have to pay for your supplies; but, rather, will they pay for your supplies. You will have to call your insurance company and ask what they do pay for.

Amos

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:40 pm

Generally most insurance companies will pay for a new hose every 3 months, most don't think it needs repacing more than every 6 months to even a year if you take care of it. Masks can be replaced every 3 months but the headgear can only be replaced every 6 months. Since most masks can not be bought without the headgear it puts mask replacement schedule to 6 months also. This is a general Rule that medicare and most insurance companies abide by. Yours could be different, you need to check.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 1:01 am

It's funny...Cigna will replace my mask every three months but headgear only every 6(same as 6ptstar said)Hmm...has anyone ever bought a mask without headgear? Since they're usually packaged together is there a "headgear" limbo or pergatory where they wait the extra 3 months????? LOL LOL

KAZ · Post by **KAZ** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:26 am

Get this? I have an Ultra Mirage that works well for me. After 3 months I received a large box UPS, inside was new gel part which I installed. Then two weeks later another UPS large box with a new shell. You guessed it, a week later a new hose

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:01 am

Ooooh! Your DME has really got their act together! I'm impressed. NOT. Except since it had been 3 months at least they started getting the new parts to you. That's more than some do. I haven't gotten a new hose from "my" sheister DME since the original I got w/my CPAP in Oct 06!

Of course, I HAVE gotten two new hoses from my 02 DME since I switched to them to get a decent fitting mask ... they gave me one when I got my first mask from them because they were aghast I hadn't received a new hose in 5-6 months and then they sent me one 3 months later.

Next month I march into my CPAP DME and demand proof our capped rental is completed and my Resmed S8 Elite is completely paid for and mine free and clear!!! I'm REALLY looking forward to that!

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:05 am

DruDog1 wrote:How often do the hose and mask need to be replaced? Also does the insurance company have to pay for them?

I'm still using the same hose and mask......2 1/2 years later......no real signs of deterioration.
I also have spare masks, seals and hoses.....all purchased out-of-pocket.....it's much cheaper that way.

Den

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:32 am

My DME came up with a new one I have not seen on this board before. When I asked for disposable filters and a new hose I told them that my insurance approved the replacement of 2 filters per month and one hose every 3 months. I was informed that as long as I was in rental the machine belonged to them and they provided all necessary supplies for the machine free but at their schedule which was not the same as my insurance. So far I have had it 9 months and have not received any filters or hoses except for the ones I bought out of pocket. I desided since I might own this thing some day I was not going to mess it up by not doing the proper maintence. I also had a fear that my wifes cat or my dogs might take on the hose and with out a back-up I would be without.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:41 am

6PtStar wrote:My DME came up with a new one I have not seen on this board before. When I asked for disposable filters and a new hose I told them that my insurance approved the replacement of 2 filters per month and one hose every 3 months. I was informed that as long as I was in rental the machine belonged to them and they provided all necessary supplies for the machine free but at their schedule which was not the same as my insurance. So far I have had it 9 months and have not received any filters or hoses except for the ones I bought out of pocket. I desided since I might own this thing some day I was not going to mess it up by not doing the proper maintence. I also had a fear that my wifes cat or my dogs might take on the hose and with out a back-up I would be without.

Have they been billing your insurance for undelivered items?

Den

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:47 am

Nope. The only thing they billed was for a mask and headgear that I did not get. Only thing I can figure is they are making so much money on the rental thay don't need to make any on supplies.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:55 am

6PtStar wrote:Nope. The only thing they billed was for a mask and headgear that I did not get. Only thing I can figure is they are making so much money on the rental thay don't need to make any on supplies.

Anything in the contract? If the "supplies" are supposed to be included in the rental contract and they're not being provided......you're getting short-changed.

Den

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:28 am

Yea, I know I am getting short changed but at the price of a hose and some filters I just got tired og argueing. The contract says "all necessary supplies" Apparently my defination of "nessary" and theirs does not match. The extra charge for the mask kinda ticked me off. Made me not eligable for a new mask for 9 months. I called Medicare and my insurance and tried to dispute the charge for the mask but they did not care and did not do any thing about it. I ended up changing to the NA II thanks to Babette and bought one on e-bay before they went off the deep end for $25 so I have not been out a lot of money. She will be suprised when she calls and wants to sell me another POS MoJo mask and after October I will go to another DME for supplies.

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)

Mask and Hose replacement

Mask and Hose replacement

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Re: Mask and Hose replacement