How often to change mask / hose / etc

When I first got setup with my cpap about 6 months ago the technician said that the mask should be replaced every 3 months and the hose every 6 months (as I remember). I use the swift nasel pillow.

The company that provides the supplies calls me EVERY 30 days telling me I need to have them send a new mask because "it's time" - they tell me that I should change the mask every 30 days.

I don't mind changing it if needed, but the last time I said "okay, fine send me the parts..." they sent me a mask and my part of the insurance came out to $14. They called me every other day reminding me I owed them $14. It was really annoying and made me feel like they are making their money by sending replacement parts way too often and then harassing the user to pay ASAP.

How often do you change out your pieces and parts?

Changing a mask every 30 days is rediculous. They are looking to make money...they are a business. Most insurance plans will allow a mask replacement every 3-6 months....Check with your insurance.

In my opinion, most masks will last a lot longer than 3-6 months. They are plastic. The only parts that need replacement are the pillows and/or silicone cushions.

I agree, a whole new mask every 30 days is a bit much. New pillows/cushions every 30 days is standard though. The mask manufacturers say that's when you should change them, though most of us keep them for 2-3 months.

My DME recommends changing the cushion once per month, the filter once per month, the whole mask and hose and humidifier tank every 3 months and the headgear every 6 months. I routinely get 2 months out of a cushion, and haven't had to change the whole mask yet. I change the hose/tank every 3 months.

I would, however, suggest letting them send you a full kit every month for the first 3 months if it only costs you $14/month. True, that's not free, but it is a very cheap way to get backup masks/cushions, etc. This way, if something breaks, you have a spare or two. THEN start pushing back and telling them you only want what you need.

I use the swift FX (https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html) so, for me the mask/pillow are all the same... when they say they are sending me a "new mask" they are really just sending me the silicone pillow part (which they are insisting I need to change every 30 days).

If you think about it, how clean you keep your mask will probably correlate directly with how long the mask will "last."

Some people do clean them after every use, as recommended. Others go weeks without cleaning their masks. The recommended time frame to change your equipment is every 3-6 months, of course. And I would guess that is probably in part because it's known fact that many folks don't clean their masks well... meriting replacement.

I agree with TalonNYC that it's a good idea to have a few parts on hand in case of breakage if your budget allows: at least one spare mask, headgear, a few cushions, at least one spare hose.

Hoses should be replaced between 3-6 months, 6 months being the maximum. No matter how well you think you are cleaning it, even if you are soaking it in a disinfectant, all those little grooves hold bacteria and it is impossible to get everything. Standard hoses are cheap, ClimateLine or heated cost more.

Having a suitable tape on hand for hose repairs (duct tape, silicone tape or other) makes sense as well.

Once you have spares you can tell them you don't need anything, they can't force you to buy it.

Welcome to the forum. Could you please take the time to add your equipment to your profile. It helps us to know what you are doing and we don't have to guess or ask you each time.

The normal replacement schedule for the nasal pillows will vary by insurance. Some allow 2 a month, some 1 a month all the way to 1 every 6 months. How long they will last will vary from person to person. Get yourself a couple of spares to have just in case something happens (my dog ate one of mine) and then you can see how long they seem to last. Some people barely get 2 weeks out of them and others like myself can seem to get months and months of use.
I do rotate mine though. Use one for a week or so...take it off, wash and let dry...put a "new" pillow on (new meaning a previously washed used pillow) and use it for a week or so. next week...rotate again. It's rare that I wash and let dry and then put the same pillow back on. No special reason except my routine is wash and change to fresh pillow in the AM and have mask all set to go at night without me having to mess with putting it back together at night. I have 3 in my rotation box and have been using the same 3 since last Dec. One is an XS and the other 2 are Smalls..sometimes I just like to swap sizes.