FACE MASKS / PARTS VS NEW

Hello folks. I was just wondering if anyone has bought parts for thier mask in the past. I know its a somewhat silly question but I was curious if buying parts for a mask is cost effective as opposed to buying a new mask every six months. In my case my insurance buys a new one for me every six months. I have noticed that generally speaking the frames on nasal masks ussually are in good shape. Its just the foam cushions and head gear that seem to wear out. Have any of you kept frames for long periods of time and just replaced the parts that wear out? If so has this been cost effective thing over time versus buying a new mask every six months or so? ( I know everyone has different types of masks.....I was just asking overall if this is a comon practice) Thanks and a have a great day

Most of it depends on where you're buying them from... the DME or online.

If it's CPAP dot com... sometimes it 's a wash as to what is more cost effective if you're having to buy cushions/seals.

But if it's from a DME, usually it's cheaper to buy pieces... when you consider that some of the masks when they piece price it to you originally are approx $400.

those who have to pay full price for their masks usually get years of use from them, I got 3 years from 1 and 5 years from another, however its OK for you as long as the insurance keeps supplying you

recommending a new mask every 3 to 6 months IMO is a con. the excuse is supposed deterioration of the silicone rubber from skin oils on face

bigblacklexus wrote: If so has this been cost effective thing over time versus buying a new mask every six months or so?

Buying a new mask every 6 months is "Myth BUSTED!" Nobody needs to spend that kind of money. 1-2 years is more often the norm. As far as parts go, it varies. The critical part is the face cushion of the mask- but because the material is apparently so expensive to make, just buying the face cushion alone is still almost 80% of the cost of a whole new mask. I keep a backup EPR in my drawer just in case, but other than that I just buy the whole new mask when I need one.

I have to have a new oral cushion about once every three months; the nasal pillows seem to go longer. The rest--shell and headgear--last much longer for me, as I'm only on my second shell and second headgear in over two years.

My DME will not sell me parts, so I have to get the whole thing if using my insurance and ordering through them. I pay less for the whole thing than I would if buying one part online. And since I use the Hybrid, that gives me extra nasal pillows and oral cushions to trade! Without insurance and not being able to trade, I'd buy only the part I needed online here or cpapauction.

Pam

I have three full face quattro masks, three extra Silicone seals,and 7 sets of headgear. I have no idea why I do this, I just hate to not be prepared for any emergency. My wife is the same way about toilet paper. We have lots of toilet paper

So I guess what I am saying is buy enough to keep your mind at ease. For some it is the minimum and then there is me.

I also have four other masks, one I am trying to get used to and three that I just bought.

Thank you all who responded. It was interesting to see how people handle the issue.