Sleep apnea disorder is a growing concern among adult men and women between 30-70 years of age. According to recent studies, about 13% of men and 6% of women have moderate to severe sleep apnea. Unfortunately, as many as 85% of people who have sleep apnea remain undiagnosed and untreated.
On average, only 5% of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) patients replace their masks on the recommended quarterly schedule, while 48% of patients never replace their masks. Why?
This means patients aren't getting the full benefits of therapy, aren't compliant with treatment protocols, and the provider is losing potential profit.
It is very important to maintain and replace masks, cushions, headgear, tubing, filters, and chin straps. Replacing CPAP supplies regularly means that patients can:
Did you know that Medicare and most other insurance providers recommend replacing CPAP supplies according to a set schedule, yet less than half of patients actually do so. Replacing masks and accessories regularly helps ensure patients receive the best, most comfortable therapy possible.
Five reasons why patients need to replace CPAP supplies:
Many CPAP users don't realize that most of the supplies associated with sleep therapy are disposable. Masks, tubing, filters, and headgear are not designed to last for a long time, and using them past their recommended life span can actually jeopardize their effectiveness. Delicate silicone mask cushions can develop leaks, clogged filters can allow dust and pollen to be delivered into the airway, and over-stretched headgear can require extreme tightening, causing pressure-point pain.
Below you will find the recommended replacement schedule for CPAP supplies, based on information from Medicare and private insurance companies: