02-12-2017, 05:34 PM
mask frustration
At age, 72 and considerably overweight, I've been using a CPAP for 20+ years, with the exception of a few years where I lost about 100 lbs. From the very beginning, I had no problem and was grateful to finally get a good nights sleep. I'm on my third machine (fourth, if you count a loaner when i took a machine apart to change the noisy bearings.
Over the years, i've used several different mask. For the last 8 or 10 years it's the Resperonics comfort fusion. Unfortunately, this went out of production. I tried several masks suggested by my durable equipment supplier including the "eson" which they raved about. I didn't like it because my nose touched the inside. My nose and everything about me is big. (almost everything)
I've tried nasal pillow masks and can't stand anything touching my nostrils. After the comfort fusion became unavailable through my supplier, I found replacement cushions on the internet but of course, my insurance (Medicare supplement) won't pay for them. Currently, they're still available through an overstock supplier and I'd like to buy maybe a 3 or 4 dozen which will probably last me 10 or more years or until I croak.
Medicare will pay for a full mask (some other model) every 3 or 4 months at about $175 each. I have about 10 masks. Nothing ever goes wrong with the clear plastic part of the mask. Only the cushion needs replacement. The headgear is universal and probably covered by medicare through my durable supplier.
Does anyone have any experience trying to get medicare to pay for what is a more economical solution and works. Yeah, I know, dealing with the government and built in waste and inefficiency is par for the course.
Over the years, i've used several different mask. For the last 8 or 10 years it's the Resperonics comfort fusion. Unfortunately, this went out of production. I tried several masks suggested by my durable equipment supplier including the "eson" which they raved about. I didn't like it because my nose touched the inside. My nose and everything about me is big. (almost everything)
I've tried nasal pillow masks and can't stand anything touching my nostrils. After the comfort fusion became unavailable through my supplier, I found replacement cushions on the internet but of course, my insurance (Medicare supplement) won't pay for them. Currently, they're still available through an overstock supplier and I'd like to buy maybe a 3 or 4 dozen which will probably last me 10 or more years or until I croak.
Medicare will pay for a full mask (some other model) every 3 or 4 months at about $175 each. I have about 10 masks. Nothing ever goes wrong with the clear plastic part of the mask. Only the cushion needs replacement. The headgear is universal and probably covered by medicare through my durable supplier.
Does anyone have any experience trying to get medicare to pay for what is a more economical solution and works. Yeah, I know, dealing with the government and built in waste and inefficiency is par for the course.
