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Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 6:55 pm
by Okie bipap
My wife and I both use the same machine, so I only have one spare machine available. I have been thinking about getting a second spare machine, but have had to replace hearing aids for both of within the last month ($$$$). We each have a spare hose, mask, and water chamber that we keep in the travel cases. That way, when we go some where, all we have to pack is the machine and power brick. Other than these, the only spares we keep on hand is one or two cushions for the masks.
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:16 pm
by RicaLynn
My general rule: one to wash, one to wear, and a spare (not just for CPAP supplies either lol)
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:58 pm
by palerider
Physician wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 12:51 pm
Spoke with my DME about getting some new CPAP supplies, especially the cushions which distort and leak with just two weeks of use. Here is what the DME rep indicated which ResMed recommends for the replacement schedule, and this schedule is blessed by the insurance carrier:
Headgear straps every six months
Tubing every three months
Plastic mask frame every three months
Filters every two weeks, even if one sees no visible changes
Cushion every two weeks
This frequency is surprising, except for the cushions. Why change the tubing absent damage? Why change the plastic frame unless it breaks? Do you members change the filter regularly even if there's no visible changes?
Because PROFIT! $$$$$
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:59 pm
by palerider
Rubyslipperss wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 1:09 pm
I was told to change the filter once a month and they gave me 4 extras.
And, if you look at the clinician manual for your machine, it says "Every six months, or as needed".
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:03 pm
by palerider
RicaLynn wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:16 pm
My general rule: one to wash, one to wear, and a spare (not just for CPAP supplies either lol)
Do you use that same rule with boyfriends?
Oh my, I must be channeling Chunky
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:03 pm
by RicaLynn
palerider wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:03 pm
RicaLynn wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:16 pm
My general rule: one to wash, one to wear, and a spare (not just for CPAP supplies either lol)
Do you use that same rule with boyfriends?
Oh my, I must be channeling Chunky
Nah, but it seems a sound strategy for that, too! LMAO
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2018 11:58 pm
by palerider
RicaLynn wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 9:03 pm
palerider wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:03 pm
RicaLynn wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:16 pm
My general rule: one to wash, one to wear, and a spare (not just for CPAP supplies either lol)
Do you use that same rule with boyfriends?
Oh my, I must be channeling Chunky
Nah, but it seems a sound strategy for that, too! LMAO
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:32 am
by Rubyslipperss
RicaLynn wrote: ↑Wed Apr 18, 2018 7:16 pm
My general rule: one to wash, one to wear, and a spare (not just for CPAP supplies either lol)
My rule with bed sheet sets! LOL
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:37 am
by chunkyfrog
One only needs two sets of linen for each bed--one on the bed and one in the wash.
If you are lucky enough to have a linen closet, there are better things to put in it.
(((And I do NOT mean the pool boy!)))
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:56 am
by Rubyslipperss
My last CPAP and supplies were paid for by me, not insurance. Masks and headgear were unaffordable even on EBay. Worn out supplies don’t help your therapy, particularly when your CPAP is old.
I won’t misuse my insurance this time even though supplies are covered 100%. Hoses and water chambers will be replaced when needed. I WILL however, replace the cushions more frequently as in my opinion, they should be changed often. Even if you take good care of them, just normal cleaning takes its toll. My provider has ordered extras for me that I can have on hand. They also gave me 5 extra filters. The headgear looks like it will last a pretty long time.
I understand only too well what it is like having to pay for all of this yourself. You know things need replacing but you just can’t do it. I wish I had a solution for you but I was never able to come up with one.
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:05 am
by Rubyslipperss
chunkyfrog wrote: ↑Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:37 am
One only needs two sets of linen for each bed--one on the bed and one in the wash.
If you are lucky enough to have a linen closet, there are better things to put in it.
(((And I do NOT mean the pool boy!)))
LOL Unless you are like me and find hair balls in the middle of the bed or that your dog got over excited and left a little puddle. My Mom always used flat sheets only and changed the bed once a week. She washed only 1 and used the top sheet on the bottom since she always said that one didn’t get dirty. Of course we had no pets so we didn’t have to deal with that.
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:08 am
by chunkyfrog
I called my DME this morning to add a headgear to my upcoming order of pillows and filters.
The girl on the phone told me I could not get it separate from the mask kit--
"as per Medicare."
Knowing that was BS, I said that I would pass on the headgear if it could not get it separately.
A bit later, the manager called me back, assuring me that I could indeed get just the headgear.
The frog taketh no crap.
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:26 am
by Goofproof
Rubyslipperss wrote: ↑Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:56 am
My last CPAP and supplies were paid for by me, not insurance. Masks and headgear were unaffordable even on EBay. Worn out supplies don’t help your therapy, particularly when your CPAP is old.
I won’t misuse my insurance this time even though supplies are covered 100%. Hoses and water chambers will be replaced when needed. I WILL however, replace the cushions more frequently as in my opinion, they should be changed often. Even if you take good care of them, just normal cleaning takes its toll. My provider has ordered extras for me that I can have on hand. They also gave me 5 extra filters. The headgear looks like it will last a pretty long time.
I understand only too well what it is like having to pay for all of this yourself. You know things need replacing but you just can’t do it. I wish I had a solution for you but I was never able to come up with one.
Murphy's gonna get you. the rule is, one to use, a spare, one for Murphy and one for his friend. Everyone's Happy and covered. Plus save the good parts off the used equipment. Jim
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:30 am
by palerider
chunkyfrog wrote: ↑Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:37 am
If you are lucky enough to have a linen closet, there are better things to put in it.
(((And I do NOT mean the pool boy!)))
'course not, you keep him out where he can be decorative, like any other piece of artwork
Re: DME's Recommendation for New CPAP Supplies
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2018 11:35 am
by palerider
Rubyslipperss wrote: ↑Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:56 am
I WILL however, replace the cushions more frequently as in my opinion, they should be changed often. Even if you take good care of them, just normal cleaning takes its toll.
One thing I've noticed over the years, reading peoples posts, the more dedicated to regular and vigorous cleaning a person is, the more often they have to replace cushions.
I got four years out of a mask cushion (resmed mirage quattro) with weekly cleaning and nightly wipe with purell and a kleenex, just to clean off facial oils... I had a spare, because I'd read about how fragile and delicate they were, and how easily they tore... I never took the spare out of it's package. Then I switched masks.
Rubyslipperss wrote: ↑Thu Apr 19, 2018 8:56 am
The headgear looks like it will last a pretty long time.
Headgears the thing that always goes out on me... I went through several to that one eternal cushion