AirTouch vs AirFit TCO (also United Healthcare)

[lastgasp]

Hello all. I'm wondering if anyone has experience with United Healthcare regarding frequency and total cost of AirFit vs AirTouch cushions (for the N20 specifically, but other masks should also answer the question). I've searched (really), but apologize if my computer skills are lacking.

I'm in my first month of CPAP. This week my DME provider swapped my ResMed F40 for a N20 which works far better for me. They provided one AirTouch (memory foam) cushion and I purchased one AirFit (silicone) cushion from Amazon to compare. Honestly they seem to work about the same but I've only had the mask less than a week. My provider says I need to place my order for my "first 3 months supplies" now.

Frustratingly the representative did not know how many cushions United Healthcare would provide for AirFit vs AirTouch without placing it as my order. Googling suggests United Healthcare replaces AirTouch at "one per month" but results for AirFit range from every 2 weeks to every six months. I see that AirFit is slightly less expensive per mask, but much more expensive if they have to be replaced twice as often.

Q1: So... does anyone here know how many (N20 if it matters) cushions United Healthcare will provide for AirTouch vs AirFit per 3 months?

I see too that longevity of both cushion types seems to vary widely by user (like most things CPAP it seems). I won't know the actual cost of replacements for three months (January) as I've exhausted my "very high" deductible in this very medically-expensive year, so this may be the only 3-month period insurance covers.

Q2: For anyone else who found both AirTouch and AirFit work similarly for them, did you come to any conclusions regarding total cost of ownership of one vs the other?

Q3: Has anyone had trouble with United Healthcare supply coverage when switching from AirTouch to AirFit or vice versa? It seems others have a very strong preference between the two cushion materials but as it stands (with only a few days comparison) I'm tempted to be guided by price.

Thank you all for any advice you can offer.

Tags: N20 mask, United Healthcare, Bead, Bearded CPAP

PS: As to contacting United Healthcare directly, my dealings with them raise my blood pressure dangerously, as if often takes way too long to get an answer, which they seem unwilling to send in writing/email anyway, and has turned out to be non-binding anyway. *sigh*

[LSAT]

United Health Care doesn't care what mask or what cushions you order. They pay a contracted price to the DME regardless of what the DME bills.. The DME will try to ship you everything that the Insurance Company will pay for regardless of whether you need it or not. That's how they make their money.

[Sammie706]

My insurance is United healthcare. I received 6 cushions for the 3 month period. My CPAP provider charges the same price for all nasal cushion ($20 w/o insurance, $19 with insurance). In January, I will be paying out of pocket towards my deductible.