Cannot afford Doctors visits and CPAP machine together

jsmulvey · Post by **jsmulvey** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 5:00 pm

Where I live I am unable to afford medical insurance and must pay out of pocket for medical care. ( I also do not qualify for Medicare) I have had an CPAP for 7 years now and I need a new one. I cannot find anyone who will sell me a new one without a prescription. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 8:11 pm

I would look high and low for a good old family physician who might be caring enough to just write you a prescription. Perhaps you or someone you know is acquainted with a nurse, or with someone who works in a hospital, or with a receptionist... anyone with any ties at all to the medical profession who might know some caring doctors. They might be able to speak to a doctor on your behalf, explaining your financial situation. With a little luck, perhaps you can find a doctor with the compassion to understand your situation and who will just write you a prescription without making you jump through hoops.[/b]

wlo2008 · Post by **wlo2008** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:30 pm

http://www.cpap-supply.com

They sell them for pretty cheap on this site. Also try Ebay and Craigslist as well.

Also go to http://www.sleepapnea.org

They will provide free pap's for ones who can't afford it. you will have to have an RX and feel out some paper work. But it will be well worth it.

Also renting them through your insurance company might be better in your case. Plus if you need a diff pap then they can switch out verses buying it out strait from the DME

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:25 pm

If you have had a legal CPAP for 7 years you should have the script for it, with that you can purchace a new or used one online, at a savings. Jim

jules · Post by **jules** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:41 pm

http://www.awakeinamerica.org/DonateRelief/ - they will want a doc to sign on it for you but they have a program of using donated xpaps for clients without insurance

ask your local DME or clinic if they every have "charity" machines available

craigslist you don't need a script

sometimes people offer machines for sale here on the forum - you need to check with them if they want a script

check local garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores - you might find something that will work for a while

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:21 am

The original post is around 4 years old. Probably already taken care of by now.

Although there maybe some lurking here in the same boat.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:23 am

Goofproof wrote:If you have had a legal CPAP for 7 years you should have the script for it, with that you can purchace a new or used one online, at a savings. Jim

Don't they expire? In my state (Washington), prescriptions are not valid after one year from writing them.

Cheers,
B.

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:24 am

sleepycarol wrote:The original post is around 4 years old. Probably already taken care of by now.

Although there maybe some lurking here in the same boat.

Good catch! Looks like the newbie who responded wanted to get the info out there.

Cheers,
B.

Cannot afford Doctors visits and CPAP machine together

Cannot afford Doctors visits and CPAP machine together

a good old general practitioner