Defective CPAP Filters

[ejbpesca]

I was sent defective generic filters in the past by a DME. They were replaced with other generic filters that seemed okay but upon close inspection, I see they have loose fibers that protrude from edges. The other defective ones had unsealed loose fibers. These are supposed to be sealed but still, fibers are poking out. A fellow CPAP reported inhaling something during therapy which prompted me to inspect my filters.

The generic filters do not discolor after a month's use. ResMed filters I've used in the past become gray after a month of use.

I bought a ResMed brand filter this week from an online store to make a comparison. The ResMed filter is sealed with no loose fibers and fits snugly into the filter tray which keeps them from moving when the door is closed. My generic filters are too small to make a snug fit. When I close the filter door I hope they stay in place and wonder how much unfiltered air passes around them.

I have appealed to my DME to send me ResMed Filters, not generic ones. I am waiting for an answer. My Medicare insurance covers my supplies so I hope the DME complies to supply ResMed filters. I wonder if insurance reimbursement to a DME is a set figure or the exact cost of filters the DME pays. If the figure is set that could explain why the DME chooses to supply cheap defective filters.

I see there are several very inexpensive CPAP filter brands other than OEM available from the BIG online shopping place. Those cost up to 90% less than the ResMed brand. Filter sales do not give specifications for their filtering effectiveness (like a MERV rating). I suspect from the defective ones I've encountered that brands other than ResMed (or any OEM) may have little to no quality control in their manufacturing and are not made to any standards of filtration. I am looking forward to returning to proper filtration for therapy.

Has anyone had a similar experience with defective filters being supplied by a DME? Did you ask for OEM filters and get them?

[Pugsy]

I wonder if insurance reimbursement to a DME is a set figure or the exact cost of filters the DME pays. If the figure is set that could explain why the DME chooses to supply cheap defective filters.

Medicare allows a set amount for disposable filters and it doesn't matter what a DME actually pays for them.
So.....DMEs are going to want to supply the ones that they pay the least for to maximize profit margin.

supplied by a DME? Did you ask for OEM filters and get them?

I quit getting my filters from a brick and mortar DME years ago.....back when I asked them for a filter and got a cheap generic filter so I asked them for a ResMed brand filter and I got the deer in the headlights look...and this reply "ResMed makes filters???? I didn't know that?"
They wouldn't even take the ResMed product number for the OEM filters and order some for me.
That and their lies about the Bleep mask not being covered by insurance (it most certainly is covered by Medicare) was why I just left them and never went back and that was back in March 2019.

I know of only one online seller who sells both the OEM ResMed filters as well as generic filters. Big price difference though for name brand. There may be others out there but I haven't found them. If you want a link let me know and I will see if I can find that one online supplier.

I did find a generic brand filter on Amazon that fits my machine perfectly and looks so much like OEM filter (I do have a couple) that I can't tell the difference.

[ChicagoGranny]

I wonder if insurance reimbursement to a DME is a set figure or the exact cost of filters the DME pays.

A company can't stay in business selling products at the cost they paid.

If you are interested, here is the Medicare reimbursement schedule for disposable filters and other equipment and supplies - https://document.resmed.com/documents/a ... S_Card.pdf

[LSAT]

The "unfiltered air" that may possibly escape your filter is your room air..the same air you and your family breathe day in and day out. How do you think it
will harm you?

[ejbpesca]

The "unfiltered air" that may possibly escape your filter is your room air..the same air you and your family breathe day in and day out. How do you think it
will harm you?

LSAT, the air in my cabin is dirty. What makes you think a

family

lives here? I run 2 20" x 20" MERV 12 filters and three other air filters 24/7 in an attempt to get mold, dust, and other particulates out of the air. Those filters get discolored rapidly as did the ResMed filter I installed in my CPAP machine 4 days ago. The filters in question do not discolor after a month of use.

What is trapped in a discolored filter is how I think it room air will harm me.

Why do you think CPAP machines have filters?

[ejbpesca]

The ResMed brand filter I installed 3 days ago is showing discoloration already. I would like to know the MERV rating for CPAP filters. The discoloration is proof enough for me that the filters I've been using do not trap particulates as does the OEM filter.

I would like to find a vendor for some effective filters. My current vendor will not give me an answer about supplying ResMed filters.

[ejbpesca]

I quit getting my filters from a brick and mortar DME years ago

..

I had Twilight Zone experiences with two B&M DMEs when I began CPAP. A respiratory therapist at one scolded me saying, "Full face masks are not right. The purpose of CPAP is to train you to stop that mouth breathing. A Full Face mask allows you to mouth breath. Stop that snoring and you won't need CPAP."

Bwah hah. I was the deer in the headlights that day.

I used three online suppliers for years then two years ago gave another local a chance. Once again, it is a bizarre experience. I won't give the simile I thought of to describe dealing with the personnel. I'll be banned.

[Conrad]

The "unfiltered air" that may possibly escape your filter is your room air..the same air you and your family breathe day in and day out. How do you think it
will harm you?

LSAT, the air in my cabin is dirty. What makes you think a

family

lives here? I run 2 20" x 20" MERV 12 filters and three other air filters 24/7 in an attempt to get mold, dust, and other particulates out of the air. Those filters get discolored rapidly as did the ResMed filter I installed in my CPAP machine 4 days ago. The filters in question do not discolor after a month of use.

What is trapped in a discolored filter is how I think it room air will harm me.

Why do you think CPAP machines have filters?

The filters in your machine aren't there to protect you, they are there to protect the machine from dust buildup.

[ejbpesca]

The "unfiltered air" that may possibly escape your filter is your room air..the same air you and your family breathe day in and day out. How do you think it
will harm you?

LSAT, the air in my cabin is dirty. What makes you think a

family

lives here? I run 2 20" x 20" MERV 12 filters and three other air filters 24/7 in an attempt to get mold, dust, and other particulates out of the air. Those filters get discolored rapidly as did the ResMed filter I installed in my CPAP machine 4 days ago. The filters in question do not discolor after a month of use.

What is trapped in a discolored filter is how I think it room air will harm me.

Why do you think CPAP machines have filters?

The filters in your machine aren't there to protect you, they are there to protect the machine from dust buildup.

The filters in a machine may harm you if their fibers come loose, pass through to the mask, and are inhaled. If the filter is functioning it should discolor with use as does the ResMed brand (others have not discolored). Filter makers describe their products as protection for the user NOT the machine.

[Grumpy48]

I did not know this, but evidently there are two types of filters that could be used in a Resmed machine, disposable or non-disposable. The disposable variation provides a finer filtering and will discolor over time. The non-disposable I suspect may not discolor as it doesn't provide the same filtration, but can be washed and reused for a number of times. Perhaps the DME is providing filters that meet a basic criteria for filtering by a non-disposable filter, but not of the quality of a Resmed non-disposable. Importantly also is that for each type of filter there are different CPT billing codes for Medicare reimbursement and as well different time frames for resupply. If you could find the brand name of the 'generic' filter, maybe you could establish if they are actually disposable or non-disposable. If non-disposable, then look at your Medicare statements and see which CPT code is being used for billing by the DME. It might get interesting if the DME is found to be incorrectly billing Medicare.

https://www.sleepdr.com/the-sleep-blog/ ... ap-filter/

https://www.resmed.co.in/blogs/disposab ... pap-filter

My DME provides Sunset branded disposable and non-disposable filters for my Respironics DreamStation 2 for dual filtration. They work as well as the Respironics brand and I know the DME pays less for them. The disposable filter does discolor in a month, the non-disposable not so much and I can wash it.

These AS10 filters (Sunset brand) are coded (HCPCS: A7038) as disposable....
https://www.amazon.com/Sunset-Healthcar ... B00PLZHDYU

[ChicagoGranny]

These AS10 filters (Sunset brand) are coded (HCPCS: A7038) as disposable....

Non-disposable filters are not reimbursable by Medicare.

A DME will not use A7038 for a non-disposable filter. The Medicare reimbursement for disposable is less than the cost of a non-disposable.

[Grumpy48]

These AS10 filters (Sunset brand) are coded (HCPCS: A7038) as disposable....

Non-disposable filters are not reimbursable by Medicare.

A DME will not use A7038 for a non-disposable filter. The Medicare reimbursement for disposable is less than the cost of a non-disposable.

I think I would argue otherwise on reimbursement for a non-disposable filter. The Sunset filters I linked were only a suggestion as a filter to possibly try as a comparison to the OEM Resmed's. Agree the DME should not use A7038 for a non-disposable and we infinitely trust DME's to do the right thing .

[ejbpesca]

I am finding some serious misconceptions about CPAP filters. Some believe they are only there to protect the machine's inner workings from solid matter. ResMed makes standard and hypoallergenic filters. Machines do not have allergies. Other brands of filter makers claim their products to protect the user from pollen, dust, and other particulates. I wonder how the misconception of the filter's purpose began. Maybe it was by subjective deduction.

With a proper CPAP filter, my airborne allergy symptoms go to near 0. Those filters show discoloration after several days of use due to their particulate capture abilities. As soon as I remove the mask, my severe allergy symptoms return. This happens in a room with 2 20" x 20" MERV 12 filters running. I have brand X filters that do not discolor and have fibers that easily come loose which are I feel a justified concern for public attention.

My CPAP supplier has not answered my request to send me ResMed filters. I suspect they will not.

[CharlieWW]

The standard Remed filters do discolour as they pickup dust so are doing some filtering but the filter is so course there is no way it's managing to filter pollen, mold and bacteria. I still get hay fever with the standard filters.

I designed an adapter for my Resmed 10 that allows a pair of 3M N95 respirator filters to be hooked up to the air inlet port. viewtopic.php?t=188649

It's so effective at filtering out everything, highly recommended for anyone needing high levels of air filtering.

[D.H.]

The "unfiltered air" that may possibly escape your filter is your room air..the same air you and your family breathe day in and day out. How do you think it
will harm you?

While it's the same air I breathe all day, I think I can sleep better is some of the pollen and dust don't make it through!