| Unlike a fine wine, CPAP supplies don't get better with | | | | Tubing -- 1 every 3 months |
| age. In fact, they tend to deteriorate and become less | | | | Disposable Filters -- 2 per month |
| effective over time, and be replaced by ever more | | | | Humidifier Chamber -- 1 every 6 months |
| comfortable and innovative CPAP technologies. So I'm | | | | Machine -- 1 every 5 years |
| often taken aback to hear that someone's been using | | | | Beats me why people aren't told more about this |
| the same mask for years, not having even replaced | | | | up-front. Perhaps the insurance companies are trying |
| the cushions. Ditto for the machines themselves. If you | | | | to keep it on the down-low to keep costs down. But |
| haven't replaced your machine in years, you're working | | | | that's shortsighted, because these guidelines are there |
| with outdated technology and probably could breathe | | | | for a reason -- because this stuff degrades over time |
| a lot easier at night were you to update to something | | | | and becomes ineffective. If people replaced them |
| fresh. Now, I certainly understand that this stuff isn't | | | | regularly, they'd have more success getting well with |
| cheap -- especially when you go through your brick | | | | Sleep Apnea and be less likely to cost the insurance |
| and mortar local medical equipment supplier. But dd | | | | companies tons more money with the really bad, |
| you know that Medicare and almost all insurers will pay | | | | costly stuff like Heart Attack, Stroke, Diabetes, and |
| for replacement equipment on a regular, fairly | | | | more... |
| generous replacement schedule? It's true. They'll often | | | | So if your CPAP equipment is older than your cell |
| pay out on the following replacement schedule: | | | | phone or computer, chances are there's a problem. |
| Mask -- 1 every 3 months | | | | Talk to your doctor or DME about replacements. |
| Mask cushions -- 2 per month | | | | |