RESPIRONICS FISHER & PAYKEL MINIMUM INTERNET PRICING

[A USER]

Just heard everyone (and have seen)... Respironics and Fisher & Paykel have rolled out MAP policies that are extremely restricting and will GREATLY affect internet prices to the point where some purchases will be 2-3 times MORE than before these policies were in place. Both policies go into effect March 31st so everyone needs to STOCK UP NOW! New prices for Respironics include the following (CANNOT be resold online for anything less than below):

Comfort Classic - $79 - $159 (three pricing levels per product)
Profile Lite - $115 - $195
Comfort Full 2 - $129 - $249
DS400s - $669 - $1269
BiPAP Auto - $2179 - $3049

Fisher & Paykel is selling their Flexifit 405 for over $115 and their HC604 for $900+.

These policies are (obviously) HORRIBLE for the users and benefit only brick and mortar DME stores. You guys definitely need to be stocking up now as this is going to entirely kill the cheaper pricing online. Some of the smaller guys (Puritan Bennett and Devilbiss) aren't doing this, so check out their products as well. Spread the word!

For complaints about this blatant abuse of the CPAP end user, call the person who wrote Respironics' MAP Policy, Bob Pflueger, MAP Policy Admin, 724-387-7622 or bob.pflueger@respironics.com. Hopefully, he can explain why a mask that costs about 4 dollars to make is being sold for $139!

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news - don't shoot the messanger![/img]

[nathania]

Does anyone have a copy of this policy?

[nathania]

Isn't this the same thing Resmed did?

[hannahsmom6]

[hobbs]

& gas in the U.S. is pushing $4.00 a gallon. Sadly there's not much any of us are going to be able to do about it.

[n5xmt]

How about a complate to the FTC or FDA, or even your local or federal Insurance regulatory agencies?
This appears to be an attempt to jack prices, and since most people have insurance covering DME, an attempt to make large profits... Insurance Fraud isn't much different...

[neverbetter]

lets see.....
we still have wonderful companies like Hans Rudolph, Respcare (hybrid and bravo people), Innomed , Devilbiss,& Somnotech not to mention others to buy from.
Time to start supporting the little guy with nthe better product , anyway

[Wulfman]

How about a complate to the FTC or FDA, or even your local or federal Insurance regulatory agencies?
This appears to be an attempt to jack prices, and since most people have insurance covering DME, an attempt to make large profits... Insurance Fraud isn't much different...

Insurance providers (including the Federal Gubberment via Medicare/CMS) are already paying inflated prices for this stuff. That's part of the problem. Some of those entities have become aware of what the prices are on the Internet through online suppliers and are complaining. The manufacturers, with their warped little brains, are trying to level the playing field by forcing the online prices up to the level of the brick and mortar DMEs.

Theoretically, it would put more profit in the pockets of the online sellers.....but the manufacturers are also hoping that the increased online prices will force those that DO buy off the Internet.....back to the local shops.

Bend over and hope they put some Vaseline on it.

Den (been stocking up for 2 years in anticipation of something like this)

[rested gal]

Insurance providers (including the Federal Gubberment via Medicare/CMS) are already paying inflated prices for this stuff. That's part of the problem. Some of those entities have become aware of what the prices are on the Internet through online suppliers and are complaining. The manufacturers, with their warped little brains, are trying to level the playing field by forcing the online prices up to the level of the brick and mortar DMEs.

Theoretically, it would put more profit in the pockets of the online sellers.....but the manufacturers are also hoping that the increased online prices will force those that DO buy off the Internet.....back to the local shops.

Den nailed it. The money from the increased prices goes to the internet vendor...not to the manufacturers who are mandating this Minimum Advertised Price $%!^.

He's also right that the manufacturers do expect -- indirectly -- bigger profits from this in the long run. Any of them who adopt a MAP policy are hoping their attack on the internet prices will endear them to their biggest customers of all...the brick and mortar DMEs who have been complaining: "OMG!!!! Those low internet prices are going to catch the eye of Medicare and the insurance companies, and cause them to say, 'OK, guys...the party's over. This medical stuff doesn't seem to cost as much as you've been telling us it does. We're reducing your reimbursements. Less profit for ya, fellas.'

resmed and Respironics (with Fisher & Paykel soon to join those two in this MAP mess) know that there's only one smokescreen they can throw up to "justify" what they are doing on behalf of their big customer base of bricks and mortar stores -- they've gotta beat the drum about "customer support" and how extra money = "good support."

As if receiving more money would force ANY DME, whether online vendor or brick and mortar store, to provide one iota more support than whatever they do...or don't do...already. Regarding the internet vendors, there will always be the ones who have given great support, like cpap.com and several others do. And there will always be ones who will just pocket the extra "MAP" money and keep not doing what they're already not doing.

imho, the amount of support either type of DME does (bricks and mortar, or online vendor) is tied MUCH more directly to the WILLINGNESS of the store to educate itself about cpap treatment/problems/comfort/fixes than to how much extra money is thrown at them to supposedly finance support.

Just like out there in the bricks and mortar DME world....it doesn't matter how much profit they make, some DMEs either don't have a clue or don't care, and AREN'T going to change their ways. A few do know what they're doing, and are good places for new people to be helped with their introduction to "cpap" and "a mask."

One VERY encouraging difference I see in the way Respironics has set up their MAP policy vs resmed's no-holds-barred attack on internet buyers, is in what looks like a big loophole in Respironics policy, if I'm reading it right. It looks like Respironics, to their credit, has deliberately put in place a way for internet vendors to continue helping people, especially the non-insured, find affordable prices for cpap equipment online -- Section 3 and 4 of their "Elements of the MAP Policy" which (unlike resmed's policy) would allow internet vendors to actually SELL the product at a lower price than the price that has to appear in ADVERTISING.

So, if I have to look at "advertised" prices of $1,800 (or whatever) for a Respironics machine, but I only have to pay $700 when I actually buy it....ok...I'm happy. I'm used to smoke. They can make the internet vendors advertise a plain cpap for five grand, for all I care, as long as that's not what we actually get charged!

[WNJ]

Respironics expects each of its US Homecare Dealers . . . to provide appropriate prescription medical device support . . . to patients who purchase Prescription SHR Products from that US Homecare Dealer.

What recourse does the patient have when he/she (or their insurance company) pays through the nose and gets NO “support” from the “US Homecare Dealers?”

The only “support” I ever got was here, not from the brick-and-mortar “US Homecare Dealer.” The “US Homecare Dealer” was as useful as teats on a boar.

I don’t expect that to change.

The reason for the current lack of "support" from brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers”has NOTHING to do with brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers” being forced to charge too little.

Wayne

[rested gal]

The reason for the current lack of "support" from brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers”has NOTHING to do with brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers” being forced to charge too little.

Well, I don't think brick and mortar dealers are being told a top amount to charge. They can set their prices as high as they want to, as can internet vendors.

As I understand it, the MAP is simply the minimum price you can ADVERTISE...it's not the only price you can actually charge. The actual charged price can be higher (sky's the limit) OR lower...at least with Respironics' policy. You just can't ADVERTISE a price that's less than the "Minimum Advertised Price." At least that's how I understand it.

It's just a way to take the spotlight off the low prices that have been advertised on the internet, in hopes that Medicare and insurance companies won't use seeing low prices as a reason to cut back on reimbursements to brick and mortar DMEs for "cpap" stuff.

btw, thank you, THANK you, hannahsmom6, for posting the scan of that notice.

[WNJ]

The reason for the current lack of "support" from brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers”has NOTHING to do with brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers” being forced to charge too little.

Well, I don't think brick and mortar dealers are being told a top amount to charge. They can set their prices as high as they want to, as can internet vendors.

My point was that NOTHING is now (before MAP) forcing them to charge too little, so that can't blame their current poor service on that.

Wayne

[Guest]

Email or call for special prices on all Respironics equipment. I force prices high and sell cheap.

Bob Pflueger, Respironics MAP Policy Administrator

724-387-7622 Just ask for your buddy Bob.

map@respironics.com

No wise cracks about breaking the MAP policy please! Have your credit card ready.

[rested gal]

The reason for the current lack of "support" from brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers”has NOTHING to do with brick-and-mortar "US Homecare Dealers” being forced to charge too little.

Well, I don't think brick and mortar dealers are being told a top amount to charge. They can set their prices as high as they want to, as can internet vendors.

My point was that NOTHING is now (before MAP) forcing them to charge too little, so that can't blame their current poor service on that.

Wayne

Ahhh..I had misunderstood you, Wayne. My fault. I see what you mean now. You're absolutely right!!

Email or call for special prices on all Respironics equipment. I force prices high and sell cheap.

Bob Pflueger, Respironics MAP Policy Administrator

724-387-7622 Just ask for your buddy Bob.

map@respironics.com

No wise cracks about breaking the MAP policy please! Have your credit card ready.

OMG, that was priceless!!! (no pun intended!!!) Gotta love a guest with a sense of humor!

[Goofproof]

Unlike gas, I can get buy with not buying their products for two reasons, I stock up, and when time comes that my stocks fail, I will adapt to brands that serve my needs at my price. Jim