Where to buy: Local or online

I'm about to get my first CPAP setup. My local medical supply company quoted me about $1700 for a Respironics 550, humidifier and "supplies" which I took to mean a mask. Online I got a quote of $655 for the CPAP and humidifier (not icnlduing mask or other supplies). I must be missing something. Is there an advantage to buying from a local company, or rather is there a disadvantage to buying onlin? the price difference is astounding.

Thanks.

John

The only benefit you get from going local is you may get an insurance buffer. What I've found is that the locals inflate their prices to the point where after the 50% my insurance kicks in, it's the same out-of-pocket for me as if I go online. The other drawback to locals is that they tend to only carry products from the big three- Respironics ResMed and F&P. Online you have a much wider selection and the posts on this board can tell you how to select from that variety.

So long story short, I would go with online if it was me. DME's are part of "the game" in my opinion.

Are you using insurance to get your machine and supplies or are you buying out of pocket? If insurance, you must find out what your policy will pay for and what your copays and deductibles are to know what this will cost YOU. Many insurances will 'rent' the machine for 13 months and then you own it.... but they usually charge pretty high rental fees and if you have a monthly copay toward that, it may turn out to be higher than what you pay outright for your own machine from the get go. If you are paying out of pocket, you can get a very good auto adjust cpap machine that is fully data capable for less than $500. I paid $449 for my DeVilbiss Intellipap Auto with Smartflex and humidifier from an excellent online vendor. You need to do the math and figure out all of this.... DME's are in business to make money, and they generally overcharge for everything with the caveat that they provide personal help and support to their clients.... some do; most don't.

and don't believe what the DME tells you that you're qualified for... actually pick up the phone and ask your insurance (unless they have that information online).

The biggest advantage of a local DME is in the selection of masks. I was able to go in and try on different masks. Many, but not all, local DME's will have a 30 day "trial" period for masks. If during that trial period, you decide the mask just can't work for you, they will take it back and get you a new mask to try. There is often no charge for this service, as they have an "in" with the companies that make the masks. If you buy online, your only option is often to just buy another mask. Some online stores will offer "insurance" on a mask, for a price. If you decide you don't like the mask, you can return the mask under the "insurance", often getting a refund on the price of the mask minus shipping costs (insurance money is not refunded).

At my local DME, when I went back in and told them my first mask was not going to work, they not only set me up with a new mask, but allowed me to keep the first mask in case I wanted to try it again later. I have used that first mask (a full face mask) when I have a cold and need to be able to breathe through my mouth at night. It is far from and ideal mask, and I would never be happy wearing it every night, which is why I "returned" it. But the advantage of being able to keep it far outweigh any "insurance" price I would have had to pay to ship it back (and no longer own it). I'm not sure how many DMEs would have the same policy, but it sure was nice when it happened for me.

Okay, here's another reason I'm happy I went with my local DME. Yesterday morning I found out that my nasal mask (frame) had a crack in it. No wonder it had felt funny the last few nights. I called my RT at the local DME, and he told me to bring it in and they would swap it out for a new one. I took it in and was able to get a new assembly (just the part that was broke, not the whole mask--Yeah, no adjusting new headgear!)

However, once I got home, I wasn't so happy. I realized the paperwork I signed actually had a price of $85 on it. The same part on cpap.com was $32. So, last night I sent an email to the RT, asking if it should have been billed that way, and if so could I please bring it back. (the old mask was still "functional" for the time being).

I just got a reply back from the RT, saying that the part is absolutely covered under a 90 day warranty, and I will not be charged for it. He said they will just let the bill go through to the insurance company, and if they reject it, no problem--they will not bill me. If the insurance company pays it, they will issue a refund. All this will be taken care of on their end, and I will never see a charge for that part.

So, I got my replacement part the same day, and at no charge. Yep, I'm happy.

(He also said that the amount the insurance allows for that part is around $32, even though they bill the insurance the $85. I'm not sure what they would charge if I walked in and wanted to buy one outright. I'd definitely be shopping around if I didn't have insurance coverage.)

Any DME worth their salt should let you try as many masks as it takes to get you comfortable. It not only benefits you but the DME as well. Most mask companies have a 30 day replacement program where the dme turns in a form and they get a free replacement mask if you switch your mask within 30 days. They should let you keep your original mask because the vendor cannot resell or reuse the mask that you have been using because of disinfecting and all that. you wouldn't even think of reusing a needle, why would you a mask?



CPAP user with comfortable mask=compliant CPAP user for life= more sales to DME Provider


Its a simple equation!