Apria Sending Generic Supplies versus OEM?

I placed my first order for supplies from Apria (forced to use them from my Insurance provider). The supplies arrived the next day, but was surprised that the filters and hose were “Apria Brand” and not from Respironics. The Wisp Pillows were genuine, but not the rest.

Any reason to be concerned about “generics” versus OEM?

I've been using Apria generic for hose and filters, since early December. Haven't had a problem, so far. They are relatively generic components. They send filters each month and a hose every 6 months, so I didn't think much about it. If I didn't get regular replacements or had to pay for the components (even a copay), I might call to object, unless I got a price break due to the lower cost components.

As long as they are sending you supplies that qualify under the diagnosis code used for payment authorization, then they are meeting their contractual obligation. Unless they are specifically charging your insurance company for OEM supplies (and I highly doubt they are), you will have to take what they give you or switch providers.

Generic filters are especially common, and probably harmless.

Generic hoses are also popular with DMEs, because they can be made so cheaply and billed out at full cost.

It shouldn't surprise anyone that manufacturers were falling all over themselves to introduce heated tubing: only their own heated tubing will work with their humidifiers.

So, one possible reason to go for heated tubing even if you turn the heating element off: at least you know you're getting the real deal, and not the knock-off. There are some pretty crappy generic non-heated hoses out there.

pswartz:
> Any reason to be concerned about “generics” versus OEM?

It's always good to be aware when a product has changed, especially from OEM to generic.
They didn't make that change for _your_ benefit.


bv1800:
> I've been using Apria generic for hose and filters since early December.

At some point, probably some time within the last year, Apria changed the fine filters for the Respironics Auto M.

The OEM is "thin". The generic that Apria is now delivering is _three times_ the thickness.

I am now paying out of pocket and buying them from cpap.com. Their website says that it's a "cpap.com product," i.e., generic, but to my eye it's identical to the OEM.

Paralel wrote:Unless they are specifically charging your insurance company for OEM supplies (and I highly doubt they are), you will have to take what they give you or switch providers.

I don't think that is true. I have refused generics from my provider before. Esp. when they pop out and need to be trimmed to fit properly. But I did not switch and they did send OEMs after that.

They tried to tell me they were equivalent but if they were equivalent they wouldn't pop out now would they. Hey I'm all for saving money but don't make it harder on me.

Generics equal more profit, money drives all bussiness as does greed. The problem is how can you be sure they meet OEM specs, you can't, even the OEM ones may be bulk purchased generics from China. All things in life are luck of the draw. Jim

Goofproof wrote:even the OEM ones may be bulk purchased generics from China.

Respironics white filters now have their name "Respironics" printed on the filter making it easy to tell if it is OEM. As always you can also tell from the plastic bag they come in.
No idea how Resmed is handling it.

Guest wrote:

Goofproof wrote:even the OEM ones may be bulk purchased generics from China.

Respironics white filters now have their name "Respironics" printed on the filter making it easy to tell if it is OEM. As always you can also tell from the plastic bag they come in.
No idea how Resmed is handling it.

You think so? I work in the aircraft industry and you would not believe the counterfeit parts that try to get into the system. China is very good at making copies; "psst copy watch?".

hobbs wrote:

Guest wrote:

Goofproof wrote:even the OEM ones may be bulk purchased generics from China.

Respironics white filters now have their name "Respironics" printed on the filter making it easy to tell if it is OEM. As always you can also tell from the plastic bag they come in.
No idea how Resmed is handling it.

You think so? I work in the aircraft industry and you would not believe the counterfeit parts that try to get into the system. China is very good at making copies; "psst copy watch?".

Good thing I'm not putting aircraft parts in my machine eh.

pswartz wrote:I placed my first order for supplies from Apria (forced to use them from my Insurance provider). The supplies arrived the next day, but was surprised that the filters and hose were “Apria Brand” and not from Respironics. The Wisp Pillows were genuine, but not the rest.

Any reason to be concerned about “generics” versus OEM?

Well, not really. You could always buy out-of-pocket from whomever you want.
I've never even considered trying to get my insurance providers to pay for my "consumables".
In fact, every machine (beyond the initial one) and all of my supplies have been out-of-pocket.


Den

.

Aside from the filters that came with my machine, I have only had generics.
They all seemed effective and similar.
Today, my new DME supplied me with Resmed brand hypoallergenic filters.
--I didn't even know they made them!
Can hardly wait to swap to a "real" filter.
(and he let me play with the new Airsense 10 Autoset!)