1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Nebulizing Equipment

Posted by alleycatkate @alleycatkate, Apr 20, 2020

Hi all....Does anyone know if the Neb Kits are interchangeable with different Nebulizing Compressors? I have a Drive Compressor and would like to try the Pari Neb kit for my compressor but I am not sure if it would fit. Seems that it would be interchangeable since it is just a connecting tube from the compressor to the kit. I'd need to get my GP to write a script so I don't want to get it wrong. Thanks for any thoughts.

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rits | @rits | Apr 29, 2020

I tried to get Medicare to pay for it back in 2018. Medicare B is supposed to pay for nebulized drugs but I was unsuccessful. Last year, someone on one of the forums said that her insurance, maybe it was Medicare, covered it so I asked Walgreens to send it through to Medicare B and it was rejected. Walgreens said that the doctor may be able to get coverage by submitting paoerwork but I just gave up. I pay $15.37 a month with goodrx.

My Medicare D covered it until 2018. I get 90 days of drugs from Express Scripts mail order and every time I refilled it they sent the saline plus 3 neb kits (one per month) including tubing. I still have a couple of those kits left but it's good to know that I can get them again from Linncare. Despite having nebbed saline for many years, I have not yet had to pay for the neb cup or tubing.

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Apr 29, 2020

@auntnanny My health insurance covers part with a prescription but Medicare B declined. I think they'll pay 50 percent but my brother's doesn't cover his.
So it's part of the Wild West that is our insurance system.
Sue

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auntnanny | @auntnanny | Apr 29, 2020

sue inmn…….. thank you for your response

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woot | @woot | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @thumperguy "I've been noticing some info exchange here recently about regularly cleaning/replacing nebulizer components, e.g., mouthpieces, tubes..." + (show)
@thumperguy

I've been noticing some info exchange here recently about regularly cleaning/replacing nebulizer components, e.g., mouthpieces, tubes and so on. I must have been living dangerously for the three years I've been using a nebulizer; I've never cleaned or replaced the tube . After each use I dismantle and rinse the mouthpiece using soap as well on the surface that actually enters my mouth. I realize that there is moisture in the tube and that it's quite likely that there's a good deal of microbial activity there as well. I've not knowingly suffered any adverse consequences of my neglect. However, now aware of the attention others give to cleanliness I'm considering changing my wayward ways. Tell me though, what's a suitable way to clean the tube? Don

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On cleaning: talked again to my Pulmonary therapist. A year ago, she told me the easiest way: buy a baby bottle sterilizer. The Phillips Aventi cost about $19. Put 7 oz water in bottom. Lay all mouthpiece components on bottle rack. Close. Microwave 2 minutes. She reminded me I need to do that every day, once a day. As for tubing, just look at it to see if any moisture or droplets inside. If so, plug the compressor back in, run air through tube a couple of minutes, watch the drops fly out. Total cleaning time per day about 4 minutes.

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1 reply
poodledoc | @poodledoc | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @woot "On cleaning: talked again to my Pulmonary therapist. A year ago, she told me the easiest..." + (show)
@woot

On cleaning: talked again to my Pulmonary therapist. A year ago, she told me the easiest way: buy a baby bottle sterilizer. The Phillips Aventi cost about $19. Put 7 oz water in bottom. Lay all mouthpiece components on bottle rack. Close. Microwave 2 minutes. She reminded me I need to do that every day, once a day. As for tubing, just look at it to see if any moisture or droplets inside. If so, plug the compressor back in, run air through tube a couple of minutes, watch the drops fly out. Total cleaning time per day about 4 minutes.

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Woot, That is awesome info. Will make my life much easier keeping the parts sterile. Thanks for sharing. You can get the Phillps Avent for $16.59 on Amazon

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woot | @woot | Apr 30, 2020

Forgot to say the sterilizing is after the regular soap and water washing. So if you nebulize twice a day, wash twice, sterilize once. So glad you found the Aventi

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ginak | @ginak | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@auntnanny My health insurance covers part with a prescription but Medicare B declined. I think they'll..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@auntnanny My health insurance covers part with a prescription but Medicare B declined. I think they'll pay 50 percent but my brother's doesn't cover his.
So it's part of the Wild West that is our insurance system.
Sue

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My insurance covered the nebulizer and the original parts. Since then, I’ve been buying my own parts every few months. My insurance doesn’t even cover the full cost of the saline. My Dr just prescribed the 7% that I requested and I was just charged $94. by GHI. I’m not on Medicare. When I get the 3%, they usually charge me $35 for one month supply

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1 reply
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @ginak "My insurance covered the nebulizer and the original parts. Since then, I’ve been buying my own..." + (show)
@ginak

My insurance covered the nebulizer and the original parts. Since then, I’ve been buying my own parts every few months. My insurance doesn’t even cover the full cost of the saline. My Dr just prescribed the 7% that I requested and I was just charged $94. by GHI. I’m not on Medicare. When I get the 3%, they usually charge me $35 for one month supply

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@ginak At most, 7 % saline should run about $35.00 a box. Try http://www.goodrx.com to see who in your area sells it the cheapest. I get mine free from the Healthwell Foundation.

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2 replies
Mentor
Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @auntnanny "rits……... does anyone know if saline is provided cost free by any company with Medicare patients...." + (show)
@auntnanny

rits……... does anyone know if saline is provided cost free by any company with Medicare patients. Linncare does a great job with tubing and mouthpieces and albuterol...….. but I've not learned of anyone furnishing saline. Thank you

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The Heathwell Foundation covers mine.

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ginak | @ginak | Apr 30, 2020
In reply to @windwalker "@ginak At most, 7 % saline should run about $35.00 a box. Try www.goodrx.com to see..." + (show)
@windwalker

@ginak At most, 7 % saline should run about $35.00 a box. Try http://www.goodrx.com to see who in your area sells it the cheapest. I get mine free from the Healthwell Foundation.

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I wonder how many they're sending me.

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