I have not been on the forum for several months now, having good luck with CPAP, and not experiencing too many difficulties.  BUT more recently I'm starting to get a bad feeling about my DME.  
When I first went on CPAP, and this forum, I corresponding back and forth with Grey Beard, who is also retired military, as I am.  Anyway, it was my understanding Medicare/Tricare4life would pay to replace the mask every 3 months.  Am I wrong on this assumption?  
I went to a newly located DME in our town, and got the feeling they were very inexperienced, and not up on Medicare requirements.  Since then, I am firmly convinced that is the case.  
I started out with the "Mirage pillow mask, didn't like it, and they "allowed" me to switch to a nasal mask. (30 day trial period)  I tolerated this for a few weeks, till my nose and upper lip became raw.  Went back and talked to the sleep doctor, and he advised me to "borrow" a full face mask, and try it.  I did, and it worked so much better.  (I had a full beard, at the time)  It leaked off and on, but worked.  Returned the "borrowed" mask back to sleep study, and DME issued me a full face mask.
In time, it leaked more than it helped, so I would switch back and forth, between it and the nasal mask.  
When I asked the DME (after 3 months) to give me another nasal mask, I was told I had to wait 6 months, before they'd replace it, as I had "re-started" the clock when I got the full face mask.  AND the headpieces could only be replaced every 6 months.  The 6 months were up last week.  I asked for another nasal mask, and was told "my 6 months are not up till some date in July.  I'm sick and tired of getting the run around.  Is it me, or is my DME not up to date with Medicare?

My comment won't help...9 years ago I was tested and started with cpap. No benefits to cover expenses...I used my Breeze for 4 years, replacing parts as they broke. That's in Ontario Canada.
I generally keep a mask for 1 to 2 years. 6 months would be nice.
My dme is only interested in numbers. They don't stock many different types of masks, and you pays your money and takes your chances.

So I would like to see other posts because it would be nice to have more frequent mask changes here; want to know what the norm is where you are.

Regards, and good health!


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Regards

DaveL

CPAP--started 1999/still compliant

Hi Old Sarge,
I don't know if this helps, But I am on Tri-Care standard. every three months I can get a new cushion for my face mask. and every 6 months it is a new mask.  So it works out like July I get a cushion, Oct I get a mask, Jan I get a cushion and April I get a mask.
 
So If I want to try a new mask ( and tri-care pay for it) its only every 6 months.

Noni


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REMstar M Series with a comfort gel ff mask, pressure of 13

Medicare guidelines for mask replacement and other items.  Problem is most new masks include headgear.  I have yet to figure out what really is available at 90 days under just "mask".    Sorry for the way it looks, can't get spaces to work properly to line up things but you can get the idea.

CPAP Mask      A7034             90 days (1)
CPAP Headgear     A7035            180 days (1)
CPAP Tubing      A7037             30 days (1)
Disposable Filter     A7038     30 days (2)
CPAP Chinstrap     A7036             180 days (1)
Full Face Mask     A7030             90 days (1)
Full Face Cushion     A7031     30 days (1)
Nasal Cushion     A7032             30 days (2)
Replacement Pillow     A7033     30 days (2)
Non-disposable Filters          180 days (2)
Oral Interface     A7044              90 days (1)