Lincare DME offered to sell me So Clean or other CPAP cleaning device

I thought use of So Clean voids the manufacturer's warranty on CPAP equipment. The offer to sell me So Clean and another type of CPAP cleaner was made during the DME's routine 3-month call re: replacement parts that are eligible for coverage under Medicare, such as the humidifier tank, filters, mask parts (NOT a whole mask--what a JOKE). etc. This is the first time I have been offered the "opportunity" to buy something that is not covered by Medicare or insurance. I declined, saying I could not afford it.

Interesting, since I am due to get my new Airsense 10 Autoset for Her machine from Lincare on Tuesday. Do they want me to void my warranty or is this just a strange coincidence? Lincare's local office provides the A10 machine. An out of state Lincare office makes the quarterly calls to find out what replacement parts I want and tells me which ones are eligible for Medicare reimbursement.

Another peculiar call lately was from an unnamed DME saying that my CPAP machine may be nearing the end of its useful life. How would a DME I don't deal with get such information? I already ordered the new machine from Lincare. Spam phone calls have now reached the CPAP world.

Maryland CPAPer2

The answers seem to vary.

"If you’ve heard the latest CPAP news, ResMed and Phillips Respironics are having ozone-related problems. If their equipment has shown evidence of ozone use, the companies will no longer honor the warranty. SoClean has that effect on CPAP equipment." https://www.virtuclean.com/dont-lose-yo ... -warranty/

Complaints about So Clean damaging CPAP machines: https://www.bbb.org/us/nh/peterborough/ ... complaints

"Philips Respironics: In a letter responding to a customer’s request for written guidance, Philips Respironics said using SoClean on its DreamStation will not automatically void the warranty, but the company “reserves the right to void a warranty if it is determined that the use of SoClean caused a defect for which a device otherwise under warranty was returned.”

"The company said in a statement to HME News that it “does not formally validate the use of SoClean with the DreamStation, but as of Jan. 6, Philips has not denied a warranty claim associated with the use of SoClean with a DreamStation.”

ResMed" "ResMed told its provider customers in a letter that it’s not voiding the limited warranty for its AirSense 10, but “if a patient purchases a ResMed product on or after Feb. 1, 2020, and uses an ozone device and the product shows damage consistent with the use of an ozone device, repair of the product will not be covered under the limited warranty.”

http://www.hmenews.com/article/cpap-man ... ng-devices

Obviously, Lin(I don't)care is driven by profit. They will try to sell you anything they can. Just because MediCare will authorize replacements on a set schedule does not mean they have to be replaced. We try to make things last as long as possible. I am still using the original water reservoir that I got over five years ago. Mask cushions last us over a year. The only thing I change close to the "recommended" frequency is filters. My wife and I both suffer from allergies and we use the hypoallergenic filters.

Okie bipap wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:40 pm

I am still using the original water reservoir that I got over five years ago. Mask cushions last us over a year. The only thing I change close to the "recommended" frequency is filters. My wife and I both suffer from allergies and we use the hypoallergenic filters.

I have had a different experience with the humidifier tank on the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. The metal bottom of the tank usually deteriorates after a few months of use. I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

I think Medicare will pay for a replacement humidifier reservoir every six months, and usually, my tank does not last that long before metal particles are showing up in the water.

Maryland CPAPer 2

Is a special "cleaner" really needed?

https://www.verywellhealth.com/do-you-n ... in-4171650

When a company tells you that if you use a product like SoClean that it "may" result in their not honoring a warranty....rest assured that the warranty will not be honored. They have a way out. Don't think for one minute they won't take it when given a chance.

There's someone on the forum just posting today that bits and pieces of the foam sound insulation from inside the blower are ending up in the water chamber. Been using the SoClean for however long (it was never mentioned) but this is a common complaint. Not the first time we have seen this complaint about bits of the inside of the machine ending up in the water chamber and probably won't be the last.

SoClean has stated that if the use of their product damages your machine they will replace/repair the machine once THEY determine the SoClean was at fault. Now do we really think for one minute they would ever admit to their product causing a problem????? Think about it folks.

Common sense folks....use some common sense and think about things.

Ozone is a poisonous gas. It's bad for your lungs. Don't think for one minute it doesn't leak out into your bedroom in some way or fashion.
So it can destroy your lungs and your cpap machine and shorten the life of your mask and other equipment.

All this to kill something that is easily killed with plain old soap and water and a little bit of elbow grease if you really are worried about the bugs on your equipment....and you know what....once you touch your equipment you put those very same bugs on your equipment because they are all around you in your bedroom and on your hands. They are your bugs...you already have put them on everything you touch anyway....your spoon, your fork, your toothbrush, etc. Use some common sense folks.

Passing the buck works like bullies playing keep away with a smaller kid's stuff.
No way he can win, with their collusion going on.
Happens all the time--not just with cpap, too.
Collusion is "supposed" to be illegal, but fighting it is too expensive for most victims.

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:03 pm

Ozone is a poisonous gas. It's bad for your lungs. Don't think for one minute it doesn't leak out into your bedroom in some way or fashion.
So it can destroy your lungs and your cpap machine and shorten the life of your mask and other equipment.

Aren't there law suits about this? I seem to remember someone mentioning it here. And, if not, why not? Also, if Ozone is a poisonous gas how the hell can they get away with their commercials/advertising?

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:53 pm

I have had a different experience with the humidifier tank on the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. The metal bottom of the tank usually deteriorates after a few months of use. I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

I'm just curious what kind of heinous things you're doing to those poor humidifier tanks, they're made out of stainless steel.

palerider wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 20, 2020 2:13 am

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:53 pm

I have had a different experience with the humidifier tank on the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. The metal bottom of the tank usually deteriorates after a few months of use. I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

I'm just curious what kind of heinous things you're doing to those poor humidifier tanks, they're made out of stainless steel.

Just using them for the purpose for which they are intended. Some have even developed rust spots. I wish Resmed would come up with sturdier humidifier tanks.

Maryland CPAPer2

Lucyhere wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 20, 2020 2:04 am

Pugsy wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:03 pm

Ozone is a poisonous gas. It's bad for your lungs. Don't think for one minute it doesn't leak out into your bedroom in some way or fashion.
So it can destroy your lungs and your cpap machine and shorten the life of your mask and other equipment.

Aren't there law suits about this? I seem to remember someone mentioning it here. And, if not, why not? Also, if Ozone is a poisonous gas how the hell can they get away with their commercials/advertising?

Yes. Lumin brought a suit but the wheels of justice turn slowly. I don't know if or when anything will come of it.
And they have changed their advertising to some extent if one watches the wording of their commercials and exactly what Captain Kirk says. It has definitely changed since the suit was brought.
Also...they aren't the only ozone using "cleaner" being promoted either. I see a cheaper one advertised every now and then. I don't pay much attention when any of those ads show up on TV. Might be a Chinese knock off for all I know. That's usually when I go pee or do something more productive. All those commercials are tuned out or I change channels or leave the room. Not worth my time.

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 20, 2020 9:12 am

palerider wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 20, 2020 2:13 am

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:53 pm

I have had a different experience with the humidifier tank on the Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset for Her. The metal bottom of the tank usually deteriorates after a few months of use. I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

I'm just curious what kind of heinous things you're doing to those poor humidifier tanks, they're made out of stainless steel.

Just using them for the purpose for which they are intended. Some have even developed rust spots. I wish Resmed would come up with sturdier humidifier tanks.

Maryland CPAPer2

I'm on my original humidifier, since March 2018. Very few people around here report having to replace them according to the insurance driven replacement schedule. For most, they use the same tank well beyond.

Perhaps, you're doing something that accelerates wear. When asked about how you're maintaining it, responding with "Just using them for the purpose for which they are intended", says nothing.

FWIW which isn't much I know.
I have never had a problem with the metal part of the ResMed water chamber coming off in my water or developing rust or anything like that.
Now I have had a couple of water chambers develop leaks which were my fault because some dumb ass dropped them or actually one time it got thrown across the room.
I did have one water chamber develop a leak and I know with absolute certainty that it wasn't dumb ass involvement....just one.

But as for rust or metal flaking off....never have I seen that happen and my first chamber had 2 years of use on it before the dumb ass dropped it on the hardwood floor and caused the problematic leak.

Now I do primarily use distilled water. That's because I am out in the country and on a well and in a part of the country that my water is extremely "hard" and full of lime, calcium and iron. I am just lazy and don't want to clean the chamber. I will use tap water in a pinch and have but I don't use it very often or for very long when I do.

I do try to avoid the water chamber running dry and having the chamber heated up without water in in. I am sure that can't be good for it and it stinks to high heaven when that happens.

I have NEVER had a water tank fail.
Eventually, they get less pretty, so then I take pity on my poor impoverished DME, and order one.
And if they have the gall to offer NOclean, they will get my unsolicited opinion about that cr@p.

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:53 pm

I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

Mouth leak?

jnk... wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:34 pm

MarylandCPAPer2 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:53 pm

I have to fill the tank at least twice per night of sleep.

Mouth leak?

I don't think I have ever seen her reports to evaluate for leaks...nor do I know what her ambient humidity is....or what her humidity setting might be or what pressure is being used.....but to use up all the water during a night does make one wonder why.
Even with my current setting of 6 for humidity I don't have to refill during the night. Now I do use up almost all the water but there's still water in the chamber even after 8 hours of use.

Something weird is going on for the AirSense machine to require more water during the night.