Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
After being diagnosed with moderate Sleep Apnea last year I'm finally done with the denial phase and am adjusting to the idea of having an APAP machine in my life. I've read info on this site (huge thanks to the folks keeping it going!) and its helpful but as a Canadian I'm perceiving treatment delivery to be a bit different than as described in the US. so I'm hoping there are some folks on the forum that can comment.
Background:
After a sleep study (referred by GP) and diagnosis I saw a Respirologist who prescribed an Auto CPAP(5-10). The sleep clinic that did the study wanted $2.000+ for a non-auto machine with a full mask. At that point I chose denial. Nearly a year later my my GP referred me directly to a Sleep Center selling APAP machines (the top end Respironics DreamStation) and I've had one on trial for a couple of weeks. The clinic has been very helpful in monitoring and doing remote adjustments and so on and I'm making friends with the machine, but I've balked at the price of $2,500 Canadian. I'm a senior on a fixed income.
Yesterday I finally went looking at prices online. I can buy the same machine at cpapoutlet dot ca for $1,000 plus mask, so probably half of what the sleep center wants. I can see paying something for the service but a 100% markup seems excessive.
I'm entirely computer savvy so am wondering whether I would be foolish to buy a machine online, download the software and try to learn enough to effectively manage / adjust treatment without the sleep center people. I think I'm at least as bright as the 'Sleep Clinician' I've been working with.
Also, because my GP doesn't seem very up on all of this, I wonder whether in Canada I should expect any assistance from my original prescribing Respirologist in managing treatment, or whether it's normal for them to just prescribe and pass people off to the sleep clinics.
Any comments on treatment self-management in general, the learning curve or how things work in Canada (Alberta) would be greatly appreciated
Background:
After a sleep study (referred by GP) and diagnosis I saw a Respirologist who prescribed an Auto CPAP(5-10). The sleep clinic that did the study wanted $2.000+ for a non-auto machine with a full mask. At that point I chose denial. Nearly a year later my my GP referred me directly to a Sleep Center selling APAP machines (the top end Respironics DreamStation) and I've had one on trial for a couple of weeks. The clinic has been very helpful in monitoring and doing remote adjustments and so on and I'm making friends with the machine, but I've balked at the price of $2,500 Canadian. I'm a senior on a fixed income.
Yesterday I finally went looking at prices online. I can buy the same machine at cpapoutlet dot ca for $1,000 plus mask, so probably half of what the sleep center wants. I can see paying something for the service but a 100% markup seems excessive.
I'm entirely computer savvy so am wondering whether I would be foolish to buy a machine online, download the software and try to learn enough to effectively manage / adjust treatment without the sleep center people. I think I'm at least as bright as the 'Sleep Clinician' I've been working with.
Also, because my GP doesn't seem very up on all of this, I wonder whether in Canada I should expect any assistance from my original prescribing Respirologist in managing treatment, or whether it's normal for them to just prescribe and pass people off to the sleep clinics.
Any comments on treatment self-management in general, the learning curve or how things work in Canada (Alberta) would be greatly appreciated
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Re: Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
If I were you, I would immediately buy this machine (US $329) with heated humidifier ($70) - http://www.secondwindcpap.com/ResMed_S9 ... _Auto.html .AlbertaFogTemp wrote:AlbertaFogTemp
In fact, I did buy one like it earlier this year, and it works very well. There is a one-year warranty. They do ship to Canada. All of their used machines have less than 2,000 hours, but if you buy one, ask them about the hours.
This is a discontinued model, but the current model has no significant advantages over this one.
That's pretty much what many of us here did. I had a sleep study, but the pressure they prescribed was not right. So, I used Sleepyhead software to figure out an optimal pressure.AlbertaFogTemp wrote:I'm entirely computer savvy so am wondering whether I would be foolish to buy a machine online, download the software and try to learn enough to effectively manage / adjust treatment without the sleep center people.
Re: Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
Hi from the Maritimes... Secondwindcpap is terrific to deal with - will fix something if it's not working, or give a refund, etc... and they have knowledgable people on the phones (like Cpap.com, host of this forum). You will have to deal with the exchange rate now but if the sellers put 'Medical Device' or something on the pkge you shouldn't have problems with duty, etc... though customs can take a while to get things sent out.
_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Humidifier: IntelliPAP Integrated Heated Humidifier |
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Re: Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
Hi, AlbertaFogTemp,
Left coast checking in here. I paid the same price for my DreamStation that you were quoted. It seemed like a huge amount at the time, but I was able to cover most of it with my extended health insurance. Do you have such a plan that might provide some coverage? Or check with your provincial social assistance department to see if you are eligible for any help there. And remember to include all your apap expenses in the medical deductions portion of your income tax return.
There are a number of companies near me that support sleep apnea patients; if I didn't like the one I've been referred to, I would seek to be referred elsewhere. If you live in/near one of the larger cities, maybe check out what service other companies could give you. The place I go was able to help me choose a suitable mask at no charge during the trial period of 2 months until I made the commitment to purchase; that was helpful because it meant a savings to me in time and effort researching various masks (then ordering, receiving, trying, returning unusable ones) and I could get immediately into the therapy. I asked lots of questions about sleep apnea vs. "normal" sleepers; when I gave feedback about mask fitting, the resp.tech. was quickly able to suggest a different model/style; she monitored my numbers for a month, after which I had a follow-up appointment to discuss progress and tweak my settings. There was another follow-up at three months, and then its annual reviews after that. She's available for phone calls if/when I have further questions. I feel I got my money's worth for machine, service and knowledge exchange, given the education level/professional experience of both respirologist and RT, bare product costs, and business overheads. Plus I like dealing with people face-to-face instead of the more anonymous online solutions--local businesses treat me more like a person and less like a customer number.
Obviously, the company will be hoping/expecting me to get my consumable supplies from them in the future, but at that point, if I can find cheaper prices online, then I may order that way (assuming that with shipping costs they are no more than it would be to go pick up supplies from the local place). I also use SleepyHead software (thanks to tips from the good folks here on the forum) which has helped me understand what the settings mean and how they impact treatment. I can monitor my readings myself now, and have a starting point to go from when discussing my therapy with the RT, the respirologist or my GP.
Wishing you the best as you go forward,
Jean
Left coast checking in here. I paid the same price for my DreamStation that you were quoted. It seemed like a huge amount at the time, but I was able to cover most of it with my extended health insurance. Do you have such a plan that might provide some coverage? Or check with your provincial social assistance department to see if you are eligible for any help there. And remember to include all your apap expenses in the medical deductions portion of your income tax return.
There are a number of companies near me that support sleep apnea patients; if I didn't like the one I've been referred to, I would seek to be referred elsewhere. If you live in/near one of the larger cities, maybe check out what service other companies could give you. The place I go was able to help me choose a suitable mask at no charge during the trial period of 2 months until I made the commitment to purchase; that was helpful because it meant a savings to me in time and effort researching various masks (then ordering, receiving, trying, returning unusable ones) and I could get immediately into the therapy. I asked lots of questions about sleep apnea vs. "normal" sleepers; when I gave feedback about mask fitting, the resp.tech. was quickly able to suggest a different model/style; she monitored my numbers for a month, after which I had a follow-up appointment to discuss progress and tweak my settings. There was another follow-up at three months, and then its annual reviews after that. She's available for phone calls if/when I have further questions. I feel I got my money's worth for machine, service and knowledge exchange, given the education level/professional experience of both respirologist and RT, bare product costs, and business overheads. Plus I like dealing with people face-to-face instead of the more anonymous online solutions--local businesses treat me more like a person and less like a customer number.
Obviously, the company will be hoping/expecting me to get my consumable supplies from them in the future, but at that point, if I can find cheaper prices online, then I may order that way (assuming that with shipping costs they are no more than it would be to go pick up supplies from the local place). I also use SleepyHead software (thanks to tips from the good folks here on the forum) which has helped me understand what the settings mean and how they impact treatment. I can monitor my readings myself now, and have a starting point to go from when discussing my therapy with the RT, the respirologist or my GP.
Wishing you the best as you go forward,
Jean
_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine |
Mask: Wisp Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear - Fit Pack |
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier |
O soft embalmer of the still midnight,
Shutting, with careful fingers and benign,
Our gloom-pleas'd eyes, embower'd from the light,
Enshaded in forgetfulness divine
-- John Keats
Shutting, with careful fingers and benign,
Our gloom-pleas'd eyes, embower'd from the light,
Enshaded in forgetfulness divine
-- John Keats
Re: Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
Hello there Alberta. from another Alberta hose head
I went through the local apnea place first time around and paid through the nose... $2000 for a brick , second time I bought via Clinical Sleep in B.C. and only paid, $1100 for a fully capable PR 60 series with heated hose.... big difference huh. Shop around fore the best price you can find, it pays to do that. I buy some supplies from our host cpap.com, but get propriety (Resmed or PR) product on line at either cpapsupply.ca or cpapoutlet.ca. Don't worry about being left out to dry with no help from the supplier, just post your questions here and someone on the forum will give you the answers that you need. Regarding setting up your machine don't worry about that either, Clinical sleep set mine up exactly how I wanted it, at the proper prescription that I used. If need be just PM me and I will help you out as best I can.
Good luck
Nan
I went through the local apnea place first time around and paid through the nose... $2000 for a brick , second time I bought via Clinical Sleep in B.C. and only paid, $1100 for a fully capable PR 60 series with heated hose.... big difference huh. Shop around fore the best price you can find, it pays to do that. I buy some supplies from our host cpap.com, but get propriety (Resmed or PR) product on line at either cpapsupply.ca or cpapoutlet.ca. Don't worry about being left out to dry with no help from the supplier, just post your questions here and someone on the forum will give you the answers that you need. Regarding setting up your machine don't worry about that either, Clinical sleep set mine up exactly how I wanted it, at the proper prescription that I used. If need be just PM me and I will help you out as best I can.
Good luck
Nan
_________________
Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier |
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear |
Started cpap in 2010.. still at it with great results.
Re: Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
A cursory look at Alberta Government website shows three possibilities for government assistance;
-Alberta has Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (SNA) for CPAP. $1,600 every 5years
-Alberta has funding under the Alberta works program ( although probably would not apply to a retiree) CPAP $1,700 APAP $2,000 every 5 years
-Alberta Aids to Daily Living - another possibility.
There might be more. Your MPP might be able to guide you better.
Hopefully one of these might pan out for you.
-Alberta has Special Needs Assistance for Seniors (SNA) for CPAP. $1,600 every 5years
-Alberta has funding under the Alberta works program ( although probably would not apply to a retiree) CPAP $1,700 APAP $2,000 every 5 years
-Alberta Aids to Daily Living - another possibility.
There might be more. Your MPP might be able to guide you better.
Hopefully one of these might pan out for you.
_________________
Mask: AirFit™ P30i Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear Starter Pack |
Additional Comments: SleepyHead , P10 and Dreamwear FFM, Airfit N20 |
Re: Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
In canada, our Healthcare system helps with a huge Amt of the apnea machine.
For example, in Ontario, all machines are subsidized aND can be sold for no more than $200 (regardless of the machine). This comes with a nose mask and tube, ready to go. Where you get these inflated prices is the vendors offer 'monitoring' which is a load of BS.
You might have to talk to them a little because they are absolutely wolves when it comes to monitoring
I recomend you head over to your province's health site and read what they subsidise
For example, in Ontario, all machines are subsidized aND can be sold for no more than $200 (regardless of the machine). This comes with a nose mask and tube, ready to go. Where you get these inflated prices is the vendors offer 'monitoring' which is a load of BS.
You might have to talk to them a little because they are absolutely wolves when it comes to monitoring
I recomend you head over to your province's health site and read what they subsidise
Re: Canadian CPAP sourcing & treatment management
"provinces, such as Alberta, offer funds for CPAP therapy for eligible seniors with specific income thresholds. Other provinces offer a limited amount of funding for CPAP machines.
At a national level, some Veteran Affairs Canada and Non Insured Health Benefits funding may be available for those who are eligible."
I would suggest you look arround online on your provincial health site. If nothing else, call the provincial health number for help. Apnea subsidies vary from province to province...
At a national level, some Veteran Affairs Canada and Non Insured Health Benefits funding may be available for those who are eligible."
I would suggest you look arround online on your provincial health site. If nothing else, call the provincial health number for help. Apnea subsidies vary from province to province...