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insurance doesn't cover supplies - Printable Version

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insurance doesn't cover supplies - JenniferJuniper - 11-20-2021

I have an AirSense 10 and use the P30i nasal pillows. I have high deductible insurance through work, which essentially means I have to pay cash for everything for my CPAP, including replacement supplies. Replacement P30i nasal pillows are like $30 each! I would like to try the Large P30i nasal pillows (I've been using Medium), because my nose has been getting really sore/chapped, but I can't imagine paying $30+ for something just to try it out. I don't see the Large for sale on Amazon at the moment (the Medium seems to be about $15 there). Do I just have to hit the lottery to afford my supplies, or is there a secret I don't know about? I hate to spend anything at the end of the year like this, because my deductible resets on January 1.

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - staceyburke - 11-20-2021

eBay has one for 23 and another for 19

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - JenniferJuniper - 11-20-2021

I worry a little bit about third-party sellers, since these come in a ziploc bag and are not sealed. How do you know you're not getting used nasal pillows? There's no way to tell by looking, I don't think.

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - staceyburke - 11-20-2021

I believe they are new but you can alwaYs wash it to make sure. I have purchased several at eBay. How they are made they are easily cleaned.

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - OpalRose - 11-20-2021

I understand!  It's one thing buying a used Cpap, which I would do, but when it comes to things like nasal pillows or cushions, I would not want used.  But that's just me.   Rolleyes

I was searching for you, and it seems like the size large is hard to come by.  
Keep an eye on some of the suppliers on the list at top of page.  With a Holiday approaching, they may start advertising sales.

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - JenniferJuniper - 11-20-2021

(11-20-2021, 11:28 AM)staceyburke Wrote: I believe they are new but you can alwaYs wash it to make sure. I have purchased several at eBay. How they are made they are easily cleaned.

I'm afraid a used nasal pillow could potentially be worn out. I need new ones because after a while, maybe every 6 weeks, my nasal pillows start to get soft and I get leaks.

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - Gideon - 11-20-2021

When I get a new P10 mask it comes with 3 different cushions. It could be these are the unused ones.

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - JenniferJuniper - 11-20-2021

(11-20-2021, 12:33 PM)Gideon Wrote: When I get a new P10 mask it comes with 3 different cushions.  It could be these are the unused ones.

Yes, I used to use that mask and would get three, one of each size. But the p30i only comes with one nasal pillow  Thumbs-down-1

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - staceyburke - 11-20-2021

My first one came with a “fit” pack of 3. Small med and large. After that they would allow 1 every 6 months. That is when I started ordering firm eBay.

RE: insurance doesn't cover supplies - ScottZZZ - 11-20-2021

(11-20-2021, 10:37 AM)JenniferJuniper Wrote: I have an AirSense 10 and use the P30i nasal pillows. I have high deductible insurance through work, which essentially means I have to pay cash for everything for my CPAP, including replacement supplies. Replacement P30i nasal pillows are like $30 each! I would like to try the Large P30i nasal pillows (I've been using Medium), because my nose has been getting really sore/chapped, but I can't imagine paying $30+ for something just to try it out. I don't see the Large for sale on Amazon at the moment (the Medium seems to be about $15 there). Do I just have to hit the lottery to afford my supplies, or is there a secret I don't know about? I hate to spend anything at the end of the year like this, because my deductible resets on January 1.

I was in this situation for several years -- a high-deductible health plan, and not enough other expenses to satisfy the deductible.  So I did two things to lower my costs:

  1. I bought supplies from online suppliers, like [DME link removed, instead, go to Supplier #1], where the prices are significantly lower than the insurance-authorized prices at the DME.  Many of the online suppliers also have periodic sales that bring the prices down even further.
  2. I funded an HSA account, then claimed reimbursements from that account for my supply purchases. Routing the money through the HSA effectively discounted the price by my effective federal tax rate.  (Most CPAP supplies, including masks / tubes / filters / hoses, are all HSA-eligible.  Things like "mask wipes" are not.)
Between buying online, watching for the 10-15-20% off sales, and using an HSA -- it's not hard to save around 30-40% compared to buying from the DME.



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