So I'm a bit annoyed because my doctor prescribed a ResMed Liberty hybrid mask for me, and my DME has shipped me a GaleMed Corporation Hybrid Mask. I explicitly agreed with them on the phone that the one they were sending me would be ResMed's mask, and now it looks like they're sending me a knock-off made in the Fujian Province of China! Should I be worried, or is this just as good? I'm skeptical.
Never heard of that particular mask -- the GaleMed Hybrid. Could it be that ResMed is outsourcing? Interesting -- I am going to watch this thread and see what others have to say.
I did a little internet research because I never heard of GaleMed and was intrigued. Reading between the lines of several websites, I believe that you have the Hybrid mask, not the Liberty. The Hybrid came out several months prior to the Liberty. The distributor has changed several times. When I first started carrying it, it was from Hudson RCI. After that, it was Innomed. Now I believe it is distrubted by RespCare. From what I can tell, they have outsourced their manufacturing to GaleMed in Taiwan. I went to GaleMed's Website, but they don't list the Hybrid as one of their masks. However, I found a Customs database entry where it is clear that RespCare is importing Hybrid's from GaleMed.
I personally think the Liberty is a much better mask than the Hybrid, but there a definitely some people who prefer the Hybrid. It comes packaged with three different size mouth cushions and three sizes of nasal pillows. The mouth cushion has a chin cup, similar to Fisher & Paykel's Full Face Masks.
just spoke to the DME about the Chinese mask and i think we had a misunderstanding that i'm working out with them now. when my doctor prescribed a "hybrid" mask, he meant the ResMed Liberty, because it has both nasal prongs and a mouth covering. but when the DME heard we wanted a "hybrid" mask, even though all along I was talking about getting a ResMed mask, someone in the DME's office didn't find the word Hybrid attached to ResMed's Liberty Mask, and instead assumed I wanted the mask branded the Hybrid Mask, which happens to be from the Fujian Province in China .. . as if that is what i would be requesting over the ResMed alternative. .. . likely story. But it's true that when i go on the ResMed website, they don't list the Liberty under the "Hybrid" category, but instead as a full face mask. Oh boy. I'm working on resolving this one. I'll let you know what happens.
"Hybrid" is a brand name, not a description of a type of mask. Both the "Hybrid" and the "Liberty" are not categorized as Full Face Masks (A7030). They are considered "Combination Oral/Nasal Masks" and have their own distinct billing code - A7027.
I wouldn't blame the DME for this mixup. The doctor prescribed a Hybrid, so that is what they gave you.