Parts Replacement Schedule

I'm curious how often other CPAP users are getting replacement parts for their machines. Particularly masks and cushions. I read all sorts of different recommendations online about how often you should get new cushions or a new mask, but it seems like it varies by perhaps both insurance and what medical equipment company is used.

My prior medical equipment company sent the masks and cushions separately and sent me several extra cushions with my first order. The company I'm using now only sends the mask and cushion as a set and only replaces them once every 3 months. The hose gets replaced every 3 months as well. I think part of my issue with excessive leaks is that the cushions do not last anywhere near 3 months (possibly because I have oily skin). Some of the sites I'm finding online suggest replacing cushions at least 1-2 times a month, so I'm just wondering in practice how often people are actually getting new cushions, masks, hoses, etc.

My doctor also just added liners to my prescription so I would assume this would help lengthen the life of the cushions as well? No experience with them as of yet.

First, understand your DME is paid by insurance to send re-supply items. They will send as much as they can to ensure the bill is at the max the insurance payer will eat. Call the support folks at your insurance provider. I was on Humana until I started Medicare a couple years ago and they both sent about the same amount of stuff. I am not sure if there is some guideline they use so you can only contact your insurance. As far as how often to change stuff, I seldom change masks and it is usually because the headgear is shot as the mask part doesn't seem to wear. The cushion is another matter. I wash the cushion daily and over time it tends to make the cushion material a bit soft and the thing will leak a tad. After a few days of leaks, I change cushions. I do this perhaps once every 3 months or perhaps a bit longer. I get little filters for my ResMed Aircurve 10 and you are not supposed to wash them but I do. I almost never change hoses or water tanks; did change a tank about a month ago as it was leaking a tad. All in all, I get a bit more of this stuff than I actually use and have a good size pile of stuff. I think that gurus who suggest changing cushions on some sort of schedule are, well, (trying to find a nice way to say this), well not right. Change when needed. As far as liners, never heard of them by prescription. I used them with the Simplus mask and they are stupid expensive for bits of crudely cut out tee shirt material. I had to use them to keep air out of my eyes so used one of those several days till they got out of shape. I tried washing but they stayed out of shape and would likely have to be ironed to be suitable for reuse. I don't use them with my Amara View mask as I am leak free with this mask about half the nights and only have minimal leaking otherwise. Hope this helps...

Masks only need to be replaced when they don't work any more and, with a little TLC, this is usually a couple of years. Replacing stuff that is still working is a waste. Most of my patients never replace their hose unless it wears out ,as there is no need.

If your cushions aren't lasting 3 months that is very unusual. If you have oily skin, try cleaning your face before putting the mask on. It can increase longevity of you mask cushion and help prevent leaks.

Replacing mask cushions 1 - 2 times/month would be a massive waste, but your manufacturer would send you a Christmas card. Even the manufacturers only suggest once/year.

My cushions start leaking after about 3 weeks, so I get new cushions every month and this is with following the washing instructions diligently. I get a new hose every 3 months. They don't make them like the used to and they can break easily.

The length of time cushions will last really depends on what type mask is being discussed. The vinyl thickness varies greatly. Hoses? I have used the same hose for 5 years at least and not sure if it will ever wear out (I have never cleaned the hose).

The instructions usually tell you to wash the mask every day. For most people this is unnecessary. The mask only needs to be washed often enough to keep it clean to a level that you are happy to use. It DOES NOT need to be sterile. For most people washing once a week is adequate. Washing every day will make your mask wear out faster. Also, you should only use luke-warm water as hot water will also decrease the life of the cushion. A useful alternative to washing can be baby wipes. Not those stupidly expensive CPAP wipes, which are a complete con, but simple, cheap, alcohol free (which is just about all of them these days) baby wipes. They are quite handy for cleaning during the week between washes. In the end it's all down to you. You need to balance the cleanliness you require from your mask with how often you want to replace it.

Of course, in your case you may have one of the flimsier mask designs. What kind of mask do you use?