How often do you change your Swift FX pillows?

Thanks Plr66 for the enlightenment. I had the feeling you were a bit annoyed, but as newbies we obviously do not have the experience yet of how long things last (or any other experience for that matter, including having read the thousands of posts here), so the oldtimers experiences are invaluable. On the other hand, I seem to gather from the forum that lots of experiences are quite individual, so we probably still need to get through our 'own' experience? I also wonder if Resmed sells exactly the same products in every country or if there are different standards, hence different products. I have the impression most of the forum people are located in the US?

Here is some information regarding the Canadian perspective on replacement pillows.

I have been on CPAP for just about a month and am having great success and was wondering about this exact topic as well. After reading the first couple of posts I contacted my supplier for information regarding replacement. In Ontario, our health coverage (Assistive Devices Program) covers most of a basic set-up including basic CPAP and basic nasal mask. My private workplace insurance picked-up the cost difference of the basic unit and a second mask of my choice (Swift FX) I had to pay the difference for the S9 upgrade (glad I did as I love it).

Speaking with my supplier yesterday after reading this post, she indicated that ResMed reccomends changing pillows every 6-12 months. I went home and read through my documentation and sure enough that is what is reccomended. So my question is this... do you really need to change every 2 weeks if they are to last 6 months minimum, or are your suppliers taking advantage of what Medicare/Private Insurance will pay? I am not trying to be negative, I would take them that often if I could get them, especially if they were free.

In all reality Pillows are not that expensive to buy twice a year, but would add up bi-weekly. I have a call in to my private insurance to see how often they are willing to pay. I am guessing it will be the manufacturs reccomendation if at all. So if you get pillows as often as you say you do consider yourself lucky!

Chris

chrisYXU wrote:. . . . are your suppliers taking advantage of what Medicare/Private Insurance will pay?

Ding . . . Ding . . . Ding

We have a winner!!!

Being a DME in the US is all about volume. Your margin is fixed by the insurance carrier. Your only incentive is to sell the most cheap stuff to the greatest number of patients you can.

Frankly I'm amazed that some people here actually get help from their DME's. Those companies that do try to provide some sort of support mechanism (and that includes our host here) should be proud of the effort they make.

At the same time, I've yet to hear about a DME who refused to sell a replacement when somebody asked . . . .

Cheers,
XJ.

chrisYXU wrote:Here is some information regarding the Canadian perspective on replacement pillows.

Speaking with my supplier yesterday after reading this post, she indicated that ResMed reccomends changing pillows every 6-12 months. I went home and read through my documentation and sure enough that is what is reccomended. So my question is this... do you really need to change every 2 weeks if they are to last 6 months minimum, or are your suppliers taking advantage of what Medicare/Private Insurance will pay? I am not trying to be negative, I would take them that often if I could get them, especially if they were free.

Chris

Did you see the 6-12 month pillow replacement in the user manual? I just looked through the online PDF user manual and couldn't find anything about when to replace the pillows.

It's entirely possible that the suppliers are taking advantage of what insurance pays, although I would wonder why insurance would pay for unnecessary pillow replacements. Insurance companies are not exactly known to be generous entities. If the insurance companies knew that the pillows lasted 6 months, why would they pay for more than that? And I have to believe that the insurance companies would make it their business to find out how long the pillows really last so they don't overspend.

I wonder if Resmed sells the same pillows in Canada as they do in the U.S.? Someone already mentioned that he's seen different numbers on the pillows that might indicate a different source and perhaps different quality. Maybe Resmed supplies the Canadian market with longer-lasting pillows and the U.S. with inferior pillows? Perhaps the different insurance systems and consumer sentiments make different strategies advantageous in each country?

This is of course, pure speculation, just for fun.

Oh, and FWIW, I did swap out my approximately 1 month old pillows last night for a new set and last night's data in ResScan showed a significantly lower 95th percentile and maximum leak rate. There are numerous other variables that affect leak rates, but it is an interesting fact nonetheless.

ZQuest wrote:I was just reading your equipment profile and was wondering.Why do you use a Snuggle Hose on a Climateline hose? Doesn't doing this causes the climateline to run warmer than usual?I'm just curious about what possible benefits you get by doing this..

I guess a lot of people use the SnuggleHose to keep the hose warmer and prevent rainout. I have a different reason, since the ClimateLine should theoretically prevent rainout. I use the SnuggleHose to make the hose more comfortable if it touches my face and also to make it less noisy if the hose gets dragged across my headboard.

yea they do seem to get softer after a while and my insurance will only pay for replacements every 3 months.
Mine dont seem to leak more when they get softer but I can tell a difference.
And if i allow them to mail the pillows they only send me 1 size but if i go into the office i get all 3.

And full mask i think is 6 and humidifier tank is 6 months also.