CPAP supplies should be replaced as needed, which may wind up being more, or even less than what Medicare or your insurance company will pay for. Some people tend to go through nasal cushions or pillows more frequently than others regardless of how frequently, or how thoroughly they are cleaned, simply because their face produces more natural oils. Inversely, if someone washes their CPAP cushions every day they may appear uncompromised indefinitely. However, just because it appears to hold up, doesn’t mean you need not replace it. You don’t always see the buildup or comprise to the CPAP supplies. Even though you wash your cushions and nose pillows with religious regularity, the natural oils your body produces will break down the structural integrity of your CPAP supplies over time. Your pillows and cushions may look pristine, and you won’t even know it’s time to replace them until you’ve done so, and feel the immediate difference.

The same can be said for the CPAP mask. The fact that it looks clean and the seal feels okay doesn’t mean that it isn’t time to replace it. There was a study conducted at Harvard that proved after 6 months it is physically impossible to get every trace of the bacteria out of a mask, irrespective of what you use to wash it with or how vigorously you wash it.

Insurance companies condone regular replacement of CPAP supplies. They’ve learned that fresh CPAP supplies will statistically increase the likelihood that you will comply with your CPAP therapy as prescribed. Proper use of your CPAP machine and CPAP supplies means better health for you as well as less health care costs for you and the insurance company. A CPAP mask is much cheaper than an emergency room visit, and even more so over the lifetime cost of hypertension. Insurance companies, for the most part, follow Medicare’s CPAP supplies replacement schedule.

Your supplier will usually send you a reminder when your CPAP supplies are due for replacement. If not, it’s a good idea to keep a schedule for your own reference to make sure you get the most out of your CPAP therapy. Medicare and most insurance companies allow replacement of CPAP, Auto CPAP, Bi-Level S, and Auto Bi-Level machines at a rate of one every five years. Your full face mask, nasal mask, nasal pillow mask/system, combination oral/nasal mask, oral interface, and any tubing can be replaced quarterly. Full face mask cushions and comfort pads can be replaced monthly, while nasal cushions and disposable filters are allowed at two every month. Your heated humidifier can be replaced every three years, and your headgear, chinstrap, non-disposable (washable) filters, and humidifier chambers can all be replaced every six months.

Keeping this schedule someplace handy, or even making a note to yourself on your calendar will help to remind you when to replace your CPAP supplies. AS long as you do so with regularity, regardless of how pristine they may look, you’ll significantly decrease the likelihood of compromising your comfort, or more importantly, your health by using substandard equipment.

Kris Leeds is a freelance writer for The CPAP Shop, a leading provider of CPAP machine, CPAP mask, and CPAP tubing. For more information on the products and services offered by The CPAP Shop, please visit them online.