👉👉 In the US, Resmed just happens to recommend gear changes in unison with what the insurance companies will cover......wow! What a friggin coincidence! I've been using the same hose, frame, head gear, and mask for 13 months and they work just fine. Don't be ripped off, just properly clean your gear regularly.
I use distilled water only so don't get any mineral build up in hose or water reservoir. For cleaning I use an OZONE treatment machine for cleaning. And so far I've never had a hose, head gear, frame, water reservoir, or mask fail. I do replace my filter and nose cushion once a month. The nose cushion does stretch out quicker than the heavier frame does. When my machines supplier calls I will frequently tell them that all I need is filters and cushions. I use a Phillips Dreamwear mask and love it. On a side note: I hear people talk about their resmed machine making noise, but mine makes no sound at all and I sleep with it about two feet away from my head. But I'm only using 6 lbs of max pressure which usually has me at less than 1 event per hour.
The only thing I replace on a regular schedule is my filters. My last machine hose lasted 10 years (the life of my machine) and the water tub 5 years, so I had 2 in that 10 year period. My mask cushions last at least 12 months. Generally just shy of 18 months. I replace my headgear every couple of years. I have 2 that I swap weekly on rotation, and a spare to add to the mix if necessary. I don’t have money to waste on them.
@@trento8397 I’m currently using a deformed DS and a Transcend Mini for travel, both with a Phillips Amara View full face. I previously had one of the dreaded series one machines.
Haha I once tried, pointing out the disparity between USA and AUS Resmed recommendations and dared to suggest it was a money-making scheme on a FB forum and my comment was ''strangely' rejected by admin 🤣. Thanks for confirming my thoughts.
I once used the same mask for about 5 years. It worked fine. My current mask is over a year old. Keep them clean, and if it doesn't leak, then there is NO reason to replace them
To tell the truth, I've never replaced my tubing and this since 2008.. once it broke near the cpap machine and i was able to repair it shortening it about 10 cm. I've bought a new cpap machine after 15! years only because I needed one smaller for traveling, not because it did not work properly. Same for mask cushions... replaced around each other year instead of once a month as recommended by ResMed in US... speep apnea treatment is a golden goose or a cash cow for the related industry... i appreciate so much uncle Nicko for spreading the truth about this, thanks!
Thankfully I work through a company that calls every three months to ask what I need rather than sending stuff just because the insurance pays for it. This company is locally owned and it is obvious they have integrity. If I tell them I don’t need anything they are cool with it and call 3 months later. Now, my neighbor has two 40 gallon tubs full of CPAP gear because his former big box supplier sends without an inquiry about what he needed. That is plain wrong. I hooked him up with my CPAP company and he is very happy with them.
Why don’t people like this neighbor TELL the supplier that he will notify them when he needs new supplies. He is not obligated to accept all these. Sometimes we need to act. Be that squeaky wheel
@@bettyfulton1225 In my case the gentleman is elderly with the onset of dementia. He & his wife felt they had to accept these shipments in spite of not needing them. The company never called, they just shipped. Also, this big company is very difficult to deal with, especially navigating through their phone maze (probably by design). I helped them with getting to my supplier which they are grateful for.
When I first changed companies from one who never communicated with me about supplies, I got a phone call about 3 months after I first signed up and was quite surprised. Almost thought it was a spam call. I politely refused more equipment because I really didn't need any. Now, I'm used to the calls but still don't need anything yet.
I agree and living in the US I don’t change any of these things until Iv gotten plenty of use out of them. I clean my nasal pillows every day. Then on Sunday I clean everything real good and then I’m good.
One more thing, if you are on Medicare in the US, the supplier can't automatically send you new supplies. Each quarter, the supplier goes through a questionnaire with you and asks if the supplies you have are torn, dirty, stretched, etc. The recommendations are treated as the MINIMUM amount of time that must pass before replacements are covered, and you're only encouraged to replace them if needed.
Thanks - this was really illuminating. New CPAP user in the USA, and I have a $7K deductible on my health insurance plan - for which I *already* pay almost $500/month. I did a spreadsheet with the replacement schedule, and shopping around at the cheapest places for each component, I'm looking at over $1,500 out of pocket every year just for supplies - and that's BEFORE all the distilled water, vinegar, and wipes! It's bonkers.
WOW, your health insurance plan is absolutely useless.... You pay $6K per year with a $7K deductible....that's $13K in a year you pay out before your insurance actually helps you with the first dollar. If you are reasonably healthy you are much better off just putting that money into a tax free Health Savings Account rather than continuing to throw away $6K per year with no return on your money. That money is always yours and when you turn 65 and can get on Medicare you may have accumulated $100K plus in your HSA and can draw it out whenever you want to. If you draw out your money for healthcare costs you pay ZERO taxes. But even if you draw out your money and use it to buy hookers and weed you still only pay 20% income tax on it. PLEASE check into this more as you are getting totally ripped off by your insurance company.
@@CaneFu Thanks for mansplaining health insurance to someone who has been living with an autoimmune disease - which at its worst can require multiple surgeries and/or hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical treatment - since 2007.
@@kimberlyd.508Sorry I tried to HELP you. However, I still question what you are paying for insurance as under the ACA, pre-existing conditions shouldn't matter and so there may be something better for you out there with some government subsides that you may not know about. I have numerous pre-existing health problems but pay only pay a small monthly premium per month for my insurance. At the very least you could be polite when someone tries to offer helpful advice or just ignore me and move on.
@@CaneFu I already buy on the marketplace, where I do get a small subsidy that brings the premium down a bit. Experience on the marketplace is VASTLY different from state to state, depending on competition, your state's insurance regulatory environment, and whether the state set up their own exchange or whether they use the federal marketplace. Chronic illness is no longer a reason for outright rejection, but it is absolutely a factor in my year-to-year decisions, as I have to consider my best and worst scenarios with regard to health care needs, and then roll the dice on larger premium/smaller deductible or vice versa. I've got this. It sucks. But I've got it.
@@kimberlyd.508If you're living in a red state that rejected the Medicaid expansion with subsidies then you're being screwed by your own right wing governor. This is exactly why I will only live in a solid blue state for the rest of my life; most people don't realize just how drastically politics affect our everyday lives.
Sooo true, my usa company pushs replacements everything way too often... my nasal pillows are stacking up. pillow cushions do not last a year. I would say every six months to every three months, depending on facial hair. filters once a month for sure. tubing last forever. water chamber lasts forever. head straps on the other hand are not replaced often enough. I have to buy them. also chin straps are not covered.
Over the years I've used duct tape, painters tape and paper clips to fix broken or loose gear. However I did learn the hard way NOT to use rubbing alcohol or Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean mask cushions.. it degrades the silicone.
I just started on a CPAP machine, I am 85 years old, the machine I plan to buy next week should last to my last day. I gained a lot of information from your videos. In Canada the replacement schedule is 6 months or a year for the various equipments. I have been on a ResMed 10 and was directed to buy the ResMed 11, but after seeing the negative comments on the water reservoir I no longer trust the #11 and hope my clinic can sell me a #10. You have become my most trusted advisor thank you.
One thing to consider, it can be nice to have more than one tube or reservoir so you can take one out and clean it an give it a few days to dry out. Or if you have to travel.
G’day Nick, So happy that someone with some authority has addressed this topic. Slowly I too am starting to feel like some kind of CPAP hoarder with all of the replacement parts that get sent to me on the American version of the part’s replacement schedule, most of which are just piling up in the old Tupperware container until I feel as though they’re needed. One thing though that I feel you need to stress in your video is the need to keep everything clean. I wash everything that’s safe to wash thoroughly once a week with antibacterial liquid dishwashing soap. I use the nasal pillows so I remove the filter from the part after its washed and blow any excess soapy water out of it with a can of compressed air. ( A little hack I came up with for washing the hose; I bought a cleaning brush for the hose but it was kind of a pain to push it through because the hose would keep collapsing. So I took some string [paracord in my case] tied it into a loop and fastened the end of the hose to one end and the other to something available around the tub area [in my case a handrail]. Then you can stretch out the hose and the brush, with some soap on it, can easily into and out of the hose to wash it).
I have insurance, and the co-pay has gone up a lot. from a little over $ 13.00 for supplies to over $60.00 every three months, so I have cut back on how often I change out the gear. I still have quite a lot. I think I could go for a couple of years without buying anything other than the filters. I do change those out twice a month, as I live in the desert and it is quite dusty most of the year. Those I can get at the drugstore for a reasonable price, so that isn't an issue for me.
Here in the U.S., I follow Australian recommendations except for the filters I change monthly. The mask I wash and clean the weekly and they have lasted years.
Nicko I agree the manufacturers' recommendations are ridiculous, but I think you're being very conservative in your recommendations.. I still have the tub that came in my first machine in 2013. It was still pristine in 2021 when that machine was relegated to backup status. I replaced my first hose after 5 years when the rubber end-piece got too worn. (Only time I've replaced a hose). Mask cushions (F20) typically last about a year and frames last forever. I wash my mask and tub weekly (when I remember) and don't wash the hose, just hang it to dry. All my gear looks good with no indication at all of any "nasties". I think with a little concerted effort we can all make our gear last much longer, which is good for our bank balance and good for the environment.
G'day Paul, glad to see your getting some good milage out of those parts mate but if everyone was like you there would be no one selling cpap gear (or manufacturing it!) I did say it's not a one size fits all approach but i'm sticking with my recommendations. Cheers mate
Great tips, I’m only 3 months in to my CPAP journey here in Australia. This information is great. It does suck not having the 4G in my purchased Resmed 10, but at least now I won’t have to throw away perfectly good gear.
Hey mate, go and check out try.sleephq.com . You can create a free account and use it to check out your results using the SD card in your device. Cheers
You don't need the 4G modem, that's actually a scam. The CPAP store told me that that modem is used by them to periodically check and adjust your CPAP settings remotely. There is actually nobody out there that's periodically reviewing your settings, and the only reason this device is there is because (American) insurance companies use it to monitor whether or not you're actually using your machine daily. If you're not, then they take away your CPAP machine! Nobody else cares about your daily CPAP usage, not even insurance companies in the rest of the world. In fact, it was my Canadian insurance company that let me in on this little scam, because the Canadian insurance companies don't monitor your machine usage because part of the cost is borne by the Canadian provincial governments, and it's less of a loss for the insurance companies whether or not you use your machine daily. Canadian insurance doesn't pay for the modem, because they don't monitor your usage patterns in order to take the machine away from you. I suspect it's the same in Australia, and every other place in the world, except the USA.
@@bbbl67 thanks for that, interesting to see how that impacts across different countries. My specialist sleep doctor (who I was referred to by my GP) could access my data when I was renting through another company. The issue on Friday was we had to do a phone conference due to him having COVID and because of the SD card he couldn’t analyse my data. Frustrating because at the moment we can’t identify why I’m waking up so much during therapy. Just an annoyance in a real world application.
My medical supplier said I should replace my nasal pillow every 2 weeks. For me it’s more like every 2 months. Usually I stock up when my deductible has been met and use them through the rest of the year.
"My medical supplier said I should replace my nasal pillow every 2 weeks" Goodness, that is simply absurd. Your supplier must be receiving a very healthy kickback along the line.
Brilliant, comparing the two countries!!! Even though Insurance pays, and even though I have zero deductible, and even though the supplier calls me to tell me it's time to order, I do not order what I don't need. I'm trying to play a role in our environment and if businesses are going to have questionable practices like this, I'm not going to help them! Thanks so much for this! WHO KNEW??? Not me!
Resmed Airsense Autoset S10. 8 years old, 27000 Hrs. End of life warning message has been on for about 15 months. Still works perfectly. (I do have an almost new S9 Autoset as backup) Tubing came with the machine. Still perfect. Filter changed to Hypogenic from new. Wash it occasionally, but a mildly dirty filter filters better than a clean one as long as it doesn’t restrict airflow. Mask. AirFit P30i Its about 3 years old and will need replacing soon. Wash it every week. Tank. Original, but have replaced the main seal.
Only issue that you mentioned is IF you clean and maintain it WELL. I think that is taken into account, assuming many don't maintain their equipment well. Reduces liability from our sue you for my mistakes (USE) system . Plus, if insurance will pay, why not take advantage of it.
Cheers Nicko from Canada. I am fortunate because VAC (Veterans Affairs Canada) supplies mine at no cost. Canada and Australia are pretty much the same for replacement except for the heated tube which is supplied every 6 months. I wash with warm water and mild hand soap every day, tank reservoir, gasket and nose piece and the tubing and headgear an associated pieces once per week and no problem. Very good tip re the filter (hypoallergenic). I also am building up a collection of old plastic gear and I can repurpose some but I do keep keep the nose pillows in case I damage one. Is there an organization to donate the extra brand new nose pieces to? One tip for others is keep your old headset and weekly swap it out with a dry one each week. They last longer and you do not have to put on a damp headset ever! Cheers, Brent
Thank you very much for your helpful and money saving information. We have 2 machines in our home and we can't afford to replace supplies according to the US schedule since we have higher ins. copays but were concerned if we would have problems from not keeping on schedule. We've been doing more like your schedule in Australia and feel much better now.
To those who get your supplies paid by insurance, make sure you are not paying the supplier and the insurance is paying them too. When I started cpap the supplier that my doc recommended INSISTED on getting my cc number and was charging both me and my ins. co.. Got them both on one phone call and the insurance guy wore the provider out and recommended other local suppliers to me, right there on the call. Supplier said I could get a refund but they know most won’t notice or go to the trouble of getting a refund. Lots of opportunities for cheaters and predators out there.
Wow, I just got my first set up, my insurance isn’t covering these things, and I didn’t know what they were paying for the company . So without knowing they just sent me replacement face masks. And the no bill, because I was on auto pay.. I’m fighting it right now, thanks for the info!
So grateful for your videos! I’m new to CPAP. 4 months in. Some days I just want to quit but it gets better a little bit at a time. Your info has helped tremendously! ❤
How are you going now? I am on night 3 and doing alright. But I have just been through cancer treatment and this is a breeze compared to that. I hope you persisted and feel a lot better in general! ❤
Hi… I’m glad I stuck with it. I upgraded to a ResMed 10 in October 2023. Not the newest version but I’m quite happy with my results. I also had minor nasal surgery to correct my very deviated septum in the fall. I know that helped as well. Hang in there. I’ve watched a lot of Nico’s video and his info is great! Hope you’re doing well since cancer treatment. Feel for you there! Sending positive vibes your way! ❤
@@themillerfam1986 yay! So glad you stuck with it. Gives me hope. I just finished night 3 with mine. I have trigeminal neuralgia so the pain is horrendous especially when I first put it on but I am slowly getting used to it and ignoring the pain. My friend has the Resmed 10 (has had it for like 5 years) and she is very happy with it! I have the Resmed 11 because I like shiny new things haha. What is the surgery for a deviated septum like? I have a deviated septum but I have had too many surgeries and still have more surgeries planned and I don’t know if it would be worth adding another. I have heard people say their deviated septum was back after a while? 😢 I hope that doesn’t happen to you though! Thank you so much for your kind words. I am doing alright, I am fighting an autoimmune disease as well. However, they think my cancer will be in remission when they do scans next month. Hopefully no more surgeries and treatments. I am so done with them LOL. 😂❤️
Wanted to say I’ve enjoyed your channel very much. I’m a 3 month new user to Bipap and your site has been extremely informative and fun. Keep up the good work
I had a closet full of supplies that my provider insisted on sending me monthly This went on for almost 5 year's. Insurance covered it 100%. When I went on Medicare they didn't cover 100% so after the first month I called my provider and explained that I wanted to cancel all future orders and I would call them when I needed something. I had enough supplies to last me at least ten years,no exaggeration. They told me that no problem, they wouldn't bill me for the difference and would send me a check for the difference for last month. I now have enough to last me twenty years and havent paid a dime. It's truly sad, and one small example why US Healthcare is so expensive.
Great comment John, can you explain this part to me - "They told me that no problem, they wouldn't bill me for the difference and would send me a check for the difference for last month" - Does this mean they still sent you the supplies even though you asked them not too? Cheers
After I told them not to send me any more, they explained that they could continue to supply me and I wouldn't be billed for what MC didn't cover. Plus they reimbursed me for the 1 month that I had paid the difference. So I agreed to continue since it wasn't costing me anything out of pocket. It shows you how much of a mark up there is in durable medical supplies.
I live in the UK. I have had my equipment for years, in fact I have had my equipment for 9 years! Also I don't have appointments to discuss my sleep apnoea. I have only started watching videos on cpap and learning about it recently.
Don't know really how RU-vid algorithm delivered your site to my feed. BUT you are beyond HELPFUL! Learning so much from each of your videos. I live on a fixed lower income in the U.S. I have been way too trusting of my doctors. Too trusting of Cpap supply company. I spent my working life as a R.N~ WOW how naive can I be! I have spent money I greatly needed for other necessities on yearly overnight (in clinic) sleep studies. Pushed to follow "U.S" replacement guidelines. I would be told I was non compliant if I questioned there instructions. You make PERFECT sense. Thank you so very much for the info. Blessing's from Tennessee in USA.
Yes! It is an insurance scam here in the US. the insurance companies run the Healthcare industry and make huge profits. Most of the suppliers here charge hugely inflated prices because the insurance cut the margins to ribbons.
Good topic since this comes up every day or two in your Facebook group! I keep a spare cushion on hand and replace when I have difficulty getting a good seal out of it. BTW, I've had 2 CPAPs prescribed. first one in 2000 and then a replacement in 2015. Both times the DME simply delivered and and adjusted my unit and I never heard from them again. No efforts to make recurring supply sales. I think this is quite odd, as I live in the US. My AS10 failed recently with a heater code, but the way US insurance works, I would have had to cover the whole thing anyway because of my deductible. I chose to have it repaired for $270 instead.
@@RodneyThomasII Hard to believe that in the US, any company would ignore the opportunity for recurring supply sales, but it has happened to me with 2 different DME's, and over a decade apart from the machine placements. I don't think I ever had to change the nasal pillows on my first headgear, but finally had to get it replaced after 10 years due to breakage of the plastic (not silicone) frame.
There is another element of corporate grift here (at least in the US), that you didn’t mention, and which people might not be aware of. And that is the total unavailability of lifesaving CPAP equipment on the used market, due to it being clamped down up on by idea that CPAP machines have to be acquired via a prescription. So, you can’t buy them on Ebay, in a thrift store, and they are very difficult to get on Craigslist. I personally think this is morally wrong for number of reasons related to things like a global environmental crisis, global poverty, corporate hegemony, extreme inflationary pressures, and for-profit model of healthcare that is constantly violating people’s human rights. (Etc.) People around the world might be aware that we have a tiny little problem in the US with innocent people being gunned down in the streets and in their homes by legally purchased weapons which can be obtained in all sorts of places. But CPAP equipment, which is lifesaving for millions of people, lasts for decades, and literally cannot kill you, cannot legally be purchased or sold by ordinary humans! It is utterly inhumane, and is a testament to the power of corporate greed. Not to put too fine a point on it. When I was FINALLY diagnosed with sleep apnea (years too late to hopefully save me from spending my life in misery), I was absolutely desperate to skip the long waits and get my hands on CPAP equipment while waiting on my local DME. I am very well-versed in navigated the world of used equipment, so I worked my usual channels, and let me tell you, it wasn’t easy to acquire an underground machine. I did finally do it through an amazing “medical closet” organization that “loans” durable medical equipment to anyone who needs it for as long as they need it, without asking for any identification or information from the recipient. They merely ask that users of the service return items when they are finished using them, so they can be loaned out to others. It is my fondest hope that someone will start such a service specific to CPAP equipment, because there is so much of it going to waste. I’m no lawyer, but I recon it can be done legally and safely even with current US laws, as long as money is not changing hands, and therefore no contract is being entered into. It would likely have to be funded through donations and/or grants. I know that my own state has frequent granting programs to encourage circular economies, which would be the first place I would look for funding- if I were in a position to actually start such an organization. Which I am not. Just some late night musings. Thank you for reading my comment, and thanks for a great video.
Great free tip;;;; I use a 100 watt spot light bulb lamp glaring down 10 inches above tubing coiled up laying upon aluminum foil { or a mirror } with the ends pointing skyward so they moisture can escape. Without this I cannot get tubing to last more than 80 days in Florida regardless of how assiduously I clean tubing with different methods.... but I have never tried straight bleach. Hanging tubing fully vertical for a day never gets them dry.
Very revealing; thank you! So, while does Resmed call for more frequent replacement in the U.S.? Because they can! Ridiculous. I never replace any of this kit. What the hell, I'm the only one using it. The hard plastic doesn't wear out. There's one reason why the replacement times are longer in Australia: they can't get away with it there like they can in the U.S. End of story; it has nothing to do with health reasons or durability. In the U.S. Medicare is paying most of the costs for this, and what they don't pay is likely covered by secondary insurance. Ergo, most users have no incentive to economize with this gear. Most people just figure: what the hell, Medicare is paying for it, so why should I care about making the equipment last longer? That's why I don't replace this stuff; all the tubes, water chambers, etc. are perfectly usable, so, I''m saving the taxpayers' money. We live in a throw-away culture we need to put an end to.
HA Filters last here for 3 to 4 weeks. I had this year a brand new sealed tube, smelled like fungus. It was replaced. When the tube is sloppy on the end you can fix it for a while with self vulcanizing rubber tape, simply wrap it on the outside.
As far as I am concerned I will only replace when broken. My autoset 10 is only 4 months old but I had my secondhand autoset S9 I had for 6 years, but I replaced the motor myself (I am an electronics technician), I have always used vinegar in the water chamber every 2 weeks which makes the stainless tank baby smooth and clean and use soapy water on the rest every week to 10 days. I run the pipes through an activated oxygen machine in a sealed bag for 25 mins and had no degradation of the parts. I have 2 dreamware under the nose masks which I rotate each clean both mask are over 2 years old, leaks are way under the max allowed and my AHI is under 2 per hour. All the frequent replacement of gear only serves to fill Resmed pockets.
I still have my ResMed 7 that work just find and a stock pile of supply.I had to replace it with a new ResMed 11 to keep my job. I’m glad to watch this video. That tell the truth about how long my supplies last. This will save me from wasting money on stock pile on supply’s.
the filter is the only think that i replace regularly. everything else i only replace when needed. and that has only been a few times in the last 20 years! but...i do not use the humidifier feature.
It's 100% just the insurance. The insurance companies agree to replace equipment every so often based on negotiation with the suppliers. But it's not just the insurance companies getting milked by resmed, it's also the greedy DME infrastructure in the US. They make shitloads of money by selling you subscription resupply systems. And unless you're on medicare or medicaid most insurance doesn't cover cpap supplies unless you've already met your deductible, which are very high in the US For me, I never replace anything until it wears out. The tubes don't always last a year, but that's probably pretty close The part that wears out is always the rubber end that connects to mask getting alittle stretched out. The tubs last a long time, at least a year, maybe even 2. You can wash them in the dishwasher and they stay nice and clean. Head gear definitely stretches out over time, the velcro wears out, etc. 4-6 months for me. Nasal pillows I definitely dont' keep for a year, but probably at least 3-4 months each. The problem isn't losing their shape, it's that they stop sealing as well. The surface gets smoother and they move around more, causing leaks. Cleaning staves this off, but eventually they just have to go.
I disagree about the nasal pillows, mine get mushy and leaking at about 3 weeks. No it’s not torn just not sealing well and adjusting headgear just wrecks the head gear connections which are questionable anyway!
Self administering, no insurance. In seven years I've replace the nasal cushion about twice a year. I switched from ds1 to resmed 10 and still have the same hoses for each. New straps that's all. The machine makers can define need. The insurance pays for it by their recommendations. So, they have a scheduled profit that they can count on.
Tube breaking where it meets the connectors? Try some Permatex Blue RTV Silicone Gasket Maker (usually found in automotive section at store) applied to the outside of the tube covering the damaged area plus a bit more. Put a slight bit of stretch on the hose then apply the silicone- let dry- release stretch- presto, hose fixed.
Ya that's pretty much the same in Canada as in the US. I don't replace mine as often as they suggest because can't afford that so I'm glad to hear it isn't necessary. I have benefits that will cover a percentage of cpap gear so if I replace things on the Australia schedule it's all covered. If replace on the Canadian schedule I would have to pay a lot out of my pocket which I can't afford. Thanks for sharing this comparison because I always worried about this.
I always feel so fortunate to have found your channel years ago, guiding me on my sleep apnea journey. Thank you from heart and keeping me alive🎉. I hate to rain on my gratefulness in the same comment box to you. my opinion of America. America has been corrupt from the time Europeans set foot on this land mass. I’m 70. We were lied to about the true history of this country growing up. Thankfully Ken Burns and other gifted documentary geniuses, we now are learning the truth.
I have an Airsense 10 that I fully paid myself. 6 years. Nothing broke down. Still original heated tube and water tank. I only change the filter regularly, and the nasal cushions and headgear elastic band when they are worn. I already have spare tube and tank, but still waiting to need to change them 😅
Just wanted to say 'thank you' for all the information and the friendly approach in your RU-vid channel. Greetings from Sweden and an old CPAP-user. /Bo
From Canada New Cpap user , thanks from Canada for this and thanks to All comments from everyone who been c pap users with great insights and comments to help me and others, well appreciated.
I am American - I am on insurance, and air leaks are terrible even with new gear. I am on BiLevel PAP. The high End is 19 inches. I find that my head gear is what wears out quickly. In only two weeks it loses its shape and often I awake in the middle of the night and have to tighten up the headgear to stop the leaks. The head gear becomes starched, and after about six weeks it is un - useable. (Resmed F30 ) i have just started using the F&P Evora - really quality made gear, but so far I have a time keeping a consistent seal. With the Evora I tend to sleep better when it does leak some. It will fart and sputter on my face of about 20 minutes before it seals. None of that has anything to do with the "How Long" question. Yes our schedule is really dictated by when the US Govt says that it should be replaced for Medicare to cover it.
Apria is always trying to push their automatic replacement schedule on me, if I went with that, I'd have a mountain of gear too. I don't allow them to do that, and generally get replacement stuff once a year or so. At first, I got replacements (one time) as soon as I could, as I wanted to have a spare in case something broke.
Light duty zip-ties work great for snugging the end of the hose into the mask/mask tube. BUT BE WARNED, carefully trim the cut end of the zip-tie tail completely flush where it exits the "buckle?" Why be so careful? A raggedy end from cutting off the tail can be incredibly sharp.
This is freaking me out. I haven't replaced heat tube or water tub EVER and my res med 10 is going strong after 8 years. I've replaced the pillow cushions twice (2 sets over that time = 4 years each... the silicon was fine and no leaks). I wash the filters and have only ever replaced them after about 12 months. (change/rotate each month) I regularly clean everything and there's certainly no mould evident, but until seeing this vid, I really had no idea how often we were meant to replace. I use the machine every night, too. I'm about to purchase a travel cpap and will keep using the trusty original until it dies. I really don't like adding to landfill...
Latin America here, resmed supplier told me to change the filter every 4 months (first year they cover it for free + uv cleanse of all parts, after that it costs around 50 dollars) or if I get a virus, clean the tube once a week, empty the humidifier chamber (only use distilled water) and to keep the mask clean, absolutely no word on replacemente schedule lol and I got a 1 year warranty for everything. I bought a tube brush, unscented wipes and a wrap for the tube and I got tons of liquid soap already to keep things clean. I am inmunosupressed, and suffer from awful allergies I was very exceptical of the claims on resmed website glad to confirm they are full of BS lol
I wash my mask every morning and replace it one or twice a year. Surprised to hear that you replace the tub. I have never had mine replaced at all and didn't know it needed it. I've had my machine four years now.
Hi Beth, if the tub is well looked after and cleaned regularly then yeah keep using it mate! If it aint broke don't fix it! (Or replace it haha) Cheers
Wow! I never thought to look and see what they said for other countries. I’ve never replaced mine on the exact schedule they have for the US schedule. I’ve replaced a lot closer to what you read off for the the Australia schedule. And don’t forget that the local supply shops are in with them too and will bug you about replacing all that stuff on that exact schedule until you tell them off. They also have the price jacked up high enough that even after insurance pays it cost as much or more than you can private pay for.
So I agree with what you said but if you're like me and you do minimal cleaning (I only clean my pillows) then the US standards are appropriate. Also I've found that after a month my pillows aren't nearly as soft even with cleaning so I change them out. I'm pretty sure the oils from my skin deteriorates them quickly. Remember "oil rots rubber".
It’s pretty disgraceful that ResMed do the use more tactic when as you say the environment suffers. Why isn’t there somewhere to recycle all this stuff! Or give to those who can’t afford it.
the corruption in the US is even worse than stated - my insurance pays 1/2 the cost of cpap machine and supplies, but if I use the insurance - then the price is 2X the cash price. My airsense 10 was $600 cash, $1200 with insurance. How this is legal in the US is beyond me, and probably ripe for a class action lawsuit. I pay cash for everything because it comes out to the same thing and less insurance hassle.
Yeah I'm seeing the same thing with mine. My monthly cost for the machine with insurance rent-to-own is about $400 more than if I bought it outright with cash. I can't wait to see how much it cost for supplies coming in so often. I can clean stuff, they seem a bit ridiculous with this schedule of replacement in the US. 2 weeks for some stuff, 4 weeks for others, 3 months for some and 6 months for others all on one machine. Nuts.
In the US the government (Medicare) sets the replacement schedule. The insurance companies follow suit. For an example, when I had cataract surgery I was on private insurance. I was told if I wanted a laser procedure which was more precise than a scalpel I had to pay extra because Medicare, again the government, wouldn't pay for the laser. When I said I wasn't on Medicare and was using private insurance I was told it made no difference since the government set the rate and made the rules and the private insurance companies had to follow along. One of my sons uses a CPAP and has private insurance. He has the same replacement schedule as set by Medicare as do I. The difference is he could pick and choose the CPAP machine he uses while I was told the ResMed 10 was my only choice, but I could choose the mask and headgear.
For me it should be based on hours of usage in general instead 6-12 or whatever months … in any case criteria should be more specific for every case and attend to the state of the materials
I have been using S9 Auto since 10 years and it is still perfectly fine. Service every 8 months. Check filters every month, usually need to change hypoallergenic filters every 2-3 months. Headgear should last for 2-3 years if they give comfort and get a nice fit as well. Tubing lasts for 5 years if there's no wrestling with it! Nobody in India sells mask cushions seperately, hence it is a costly affair to change full mask with headgear set. I have changed Mirage set once only. I have the humidifier set for it which is just lying new. Used only one night for testing. Didn't need it as I stay in humid areas. I am also having a AirMini set for at least 6 years now. Changed tubing once, headgear with mask twice, filter change every 2 - 3 months of usage. I think the companies are minting 700 to 800% profits in this industry.
I’m in the US, and yes the insurance here is as crooked as it gets..I pay out of pocket to get my all of my equipment and supplies. I’m not dealing with insurance unless I have to..
You are really confused...it isn't the insurance company that is crooked, it is the supplier that bills the insurance company who is scamming the system. What, you think the insurance wants to pay out their money unnecessarily??? NO, the cpap supplier is the one who profits, not the insurance company and if the insurance will pay for it then why are YOU paying for it unnecessarily? Just order what you need only when you need it from your supplier and let the insurance pay for it; then your out of pocket cost will be ZERO.
@@CaneFu that’s a pretty bold statement considering you have no idea what you’re referring to when it’s my scenario. I am not old enough to retire or be on Medicaid, Medicare AARP or anything else. I am a working class person with pretty good healthcare insurance at my employer and it does not pay until I reach $1000 deductible.. so I turned in $1400 worth of CPAP equipment and supplies purchasing out of my own pocket to be reimbursed and I have received absolutely zero dollars from any of that as it is theft in my opinion!
I'm in US and use N30i cushion. I need to replace every 2 weeks, otherwise leaks. Medicare w/supplemental ins gives 2 a month. Tubing, mask/headgear, 6 filters every 3 mos. Chamber 6 mos.
I just saw where ReMed recommends changing your nasal cushion every 14 DAYS. Holey smokes! I've had my ResMed 11 for almost 5 months now and I've never recieved ANYTHING. My list is more conservative and I think my first delivery replacements are at 6 months.
Just replace my Resmed S9 (turbine issue)... after 12 years of daily use. And that included mask, cushion, tubing (Mask is still in use... didn't like the new mask). Still using an Resmed S8 on week-end when not at home.
Same since 2017, LoL. ResMed AirFit N20 velcro has worn out, set fit position of velcro strap and staplr in places. I am getting a AS11 and new mask at end of August.
I have a good amount of extra supplies because I met my deductible and I pay very little for the supplies after my insurance pays their part. Since I will be on CPAP for life I am going to use the stuff at some point. At the beginning of the year when my deductible isn't met, I won't order anything and just use my existing supply. You are right, if you clean your gear regularly it will last much longer. I have a feeling some people don't do that as much as they should. I'm just afraid of breathing in germs so I clean my gear daily, except for the hose and chamber which I do weekly.
My nuance pro head gear lasts about 4.5 months but insurance pays every 6 months! The last one was nearly in shreds! In the winter, with oils heat I need to replace reusable filters more often than the 6 months they are supposed to be used!
I have had 3 different machines in 10 years but one thing that stayed the same is my resmed nose pillow. I have replaced the headgear 2 times and the pillows every 6 months or so. Just bought the resmed airsince 11 auto and the heated hose with N20 nose mask and don't plan on replacing so often.
CPAP equipment is outrageously expensive in Australia. There is a big markup here. Pensioners find it very difficult to afford the necessary replacements.
I find I am buying most of mine out of the US. Even with international postage is is still cheaper than Australian prices. One clear example, I purchased 3 masks from the US for the same price as the one quoted by my local pharmacy.
I agree. Most of my gear is 5 years old and I've been babying it the whole time because the prices are simply prohibitive here. I can't justify any pricing for a piece of silicone. Seriously, $70+ for a nasal cushion is just plain gouging so I'm not surprised at Resmed's gouging of insurance companies and could never see it in any other light. I'm not through a clinic for the same reason, and have to really look after my gear in order to retain the right to drive. And I resent it bitterly.
My doctor told me when she prescribed the CPAP machine that I should tell the provider if I had enough of anything when they call to let me know they would be sending my order out. So I only get mask cushions and filters after the initial stock up of the frame, water reservoir and filters. The cushions seem to soften and leak towards the end of a month to two months so I have to get them often and we have only wood heat so I like to replace the filters to protect the machine. I have the Dreamware full mask cushion and love it. I loved the nose cushion too, but even with the chin strap I couldn't keep my mouth closed. Now that it doesn't matter it seems like it stays closed all night!
How funny, when I first started on CPAP 6 years ago, I was replacing on the schedule recommended and I found it ridiculous to be tossing perfectly good gear so I don't do that anymore. Mask I replace when it does not seal properly, head gear when the Velcro stops sticking, heated hose 1+ years, but the tub/chamber I watch very closely, I dry it every morning and clean with a solution of white vinegar and water, let it soak for a few hours and use an old tooth brush to scrub the tight corners. When I first started using CPAP I never deep cleaned the tub and noticed algae in the corners, now I get a year out of one tub.
I have a "Löwenstein" machine in Germany and was recommended replacing the inner white filter once a month and the outer dark gray filter every 6 months. I replaced it once after my first month on CPAP, and saw it looked completely clean ans unused. Don t know whether that means it does not filter air properly or it was just too early to replace it....I also have a slight feeling there s sometimes some shady business going on in Germany between those Sleep Apnea Medical Laboratories where they test you for apnea and the apnea equipment providers if you gave statutory health care insurance at least ....Right after my 2nd overnight stay in the sleep apnea laboratory they sent me 2 floors below to get me the equipment....My provider, e.g. only showed and offered me equipment from a certain brand and never told me anything abourt any alternatives i read about online which sound better to me....I m still very new to CPAP therapy, just 2 months in, and am already tthinking about changing my provider.......
i had already figured that out, nice to see confirmation, i just get irritated with the oxygen company that calls me regularly to replace everything...i just dont answer any more..thanks for all your research!
Kiwi CPAP user of 10 years here. Screw the money worshipers! I replace my full face mask cushion when it starts leaking around 7 or 8 months. The tubing, when it starts leaking around 2 years. The mask frame when the joins start leaking around 2 years, the tub when it starts leaking around 15 months, and the strap when the mask gets uncomfortable just over a year. The filter, when I cant wash it properly around a year. The machine, when it stops working, I have had 2 in ten years.
I was a little bit reluctant to change the hypoallergenic filter after only month. If you are like me, just compare the color of the used and new filers. Then I've change the filter without hesitation, wondering if it shouldn't be changed every 2 weeks.
I am in the US and use Apria as my CPAP supplier. The company is owned by a private equity firm and is as corrupt as can be with respect to billing and payment. They will try to replace your stuff as frequent as you say for the US. I have Blue Cross Blue shield which has a contract with Apria. The contracted process is I order the equipment, they submit it to my insurance and the insurance determines the copay. Apria will try to determine the copay and get you to pay upfront. Only after I told them I would report them to my insurance carrier did the person back off. I am dumbfounded the replacement schedules happened so frequently. The US insurance industry should be scrapped. We need privatized medicine structured like Germany where people are not going bankrupt for healthcare. The Republicans are the bigger part of this corruption, but the Democrats passively go along. Both make me sick.
Since most medical insurance covers these parts.....yup your right... Ha...my Phillips full face neoprene harness...just fell apart. But...we in the US don't follow guidance..
I am lucky if I remember to ask for new supplies. I have often used my nasal pillows for a year or more. I change the headgear when I change the nasal pillow.
Uh... here in the UK, I've had my CPAP for about 7 years, and never replaced the tubing or the humidifier, and only once replaced the headgear (last year). I may need to give my sleep doctors a call. (Then again, with the NHS being starved of cash for the last decade, it's not surprising they're not handing out frequent replacements).
NHS in England will only replace annually. They complain if anything breaks and needs to be replaced before then. I've had 2 face masks in my first year been told not to wash them as frequently 🙄
In Ireland, our health insurance doesn't cover CPAP use, so I rent my CPAP machine from Resmed Ireland for €95 $105 USD a month, which includes all supplies, and when I asked them for a new mask cushion after 6 months of use when I received the new one they also sent me a message saying with proper use I can easily get a year's use from one cushion, there is also no stipulation to change any of the supplies and if it weren't for me asking for filters they would never send them and when they do they only send two at a time, I have rented my Airsense 10 for almost a year now and the only thing I have had replace apart from filters are a full face mask cushion at my request, So it would also appear if it Resmed is footing the bill for changing supplies apparently they can last indefinitely.
