New Resmed prices kicked in

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:01 pm

Anonymous wrote:I toyed with the idea, but think it is unlikely the Resmed reps there will be anything more than lowly sales people.

Better than nothin', I guess.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:25 pm

Wulfman wrote:Better than nothin', I guess.

I'm not sure it is. Its a pretty expensive proposition --going there and trying to talk about the internet pricing policy just to have some 24-yr-old salesman stare back at me with the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look.

They're there to sell Swifts and Ultra Mirages and probably don't know diddly about purchasing done outside the brick and mortar DMEs. I'm guessing it would be a waste of my time and money, and I hate the thought of contributing even a nickel to TAS.

Otherwise, it would be kind of tempting...

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:43 pm

Anonymous wrote:
Wulfman wrote:Better than nothin', I guess.
I'm not sure it is. Its a pretty expensive proposition --going there and trying to talk about the internet pricing policy just to have some 24-yr-old salesman stare back at me with the deer-caught-in-the-headlights look.

They're there to sell Swifts and Ultra Mirages and probably don't know diddly about purchasing done outside the brick and mortar DMEs. I'm guessing it would be a waste of my time and money, and I hate the thought of contributing even a nickel to TAS.

Otherwise, it would be kind of tempting...

Well, I just meant it in the context that if a person was going anyway, you'd get to personally SEE the "deer-in-the-headlights" look on their faces as you ripped them a new one.....
TAS wouldn't get my 3 1/2 cents, either.
BTW, the UMFFs went up about 50%, too.

Better stop now......

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:51 pm

It would be fun to go to the conference en masse to discuss the Resmed internet pricing policy. I wonder how long it would take before the TAS folks would ask us to leave.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:00 pm

I don't think so......
I was reading a thread over there this afternoon and there's some pretty unhappy (and vocal) folks over there, too. (could be some of the same members of both forums) They were talking about the prices on CPAP.COM and other Internet sellers....pretty much similar conversations that have been happening here.....with a similar concensus.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:05 pm

I find I can breath better at night, without some company, trying to steal money out of my billfold, while i'm trying to sleep. My AHI stays low no matter what brand I use, Resmed doesn't have a lock on good treatment. Jim

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:10 pm

Anonymous wrote:
Guest4466 wrote:If DMEs were smart (most arent) they'd simply accept cash purchases and not charge full reimbursement for items to those patients just wanting a "cash and carry" deal.
They can't, at least not exactly. Medicare has a "best customer" clause which dictates that the price they are given is the absolute lowest price possible. However, Medicare also dictates the price they will pay for an item. It's a pretty barsackwards system, but that's our government for you.
So since Medicare states that a full face mask is $188.64 if you go to a company that bills Medicare for a Comfort Full, that's the lowest price they can charge you. I am willing to bet a significant sum of money that's the reason the host of this website maintains seperate websites and company names for cpap dot com, billmyinsurance, cpapforseniors, cpap pro and the others.
Most insurance contracts also maintain the same clause, so even if they don't bill Medicare if they bill any insurance they have the same problem. Hence going through billmyinsurance isn't generally any cheaper.
It's pretty stupid but it's the system we have right now.

I guess we are pretty lucky, XPAP treatment doesn't involve Toilet Seats. Jim

Guest55661 · Post by **Guest55661** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 10:20 pm

you people are so clueless it's amazing---

Talking more about this is a waste of time.

completelyhosed · Post by **completelyhosed** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:23 am

Dearest GUEST55661,

Rumors abound that You are the author of Resmed's enlightened new internet policies. Could it be true? Your depth of understanding has given You away. How we rejoice at Your arrival!. We, who support price controls and reject non USA patients rights to buy cpap products from the land of the free have waited so very patiently. Surely Resmed products, in such short supply, should command the highest of prices and should never be sold or shared with anyone outside our fair lands. No doubt the price controls are an effort to ensure that the faithful and loyal DME brick and mortar companies will once again be able to rein supreme in our lives as they once did. Tell us more, Oh Wise One. Post your wisdom so that all will know your truth.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, CPAP, DME

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 9:07 am

I don't get it. I had a few extra use or lose bucks in my medical savings account, so I bought a new S8 Vantage as an update to the old Tranquility Quest that I've been using for the last 6 years. My price from cpap.com for the S8 plus humidifier on 9/16/2006 was $749.99. Today the lowest available Internet price is $1,085.00.

Now if cpap.com was able to stay in business selling at $750, why should ResMed be able to dictate that they charge more? And who gets the extra $250?

And where is the Federal Trade Commission on this? The politicians keep wringing their hands over the high cost of medicine and medical equipment. Here we have an example where the price of a critical medical product is being artificially inflated to protect what? Branding?

My next emails are to my Senators and Congressman.

th · Post by th » Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:49 am

[quote="Guest4466"]I thought masks and devices fit patients based on OTHER things than price.......

So basically, according to you guys, your therapy simply comes down to price??? Not features? Fit? Leak characteristics? Product reliability?

Hey Guest, I am afraid a lot people base there therapy on price. My friend makes less than $250 a week and has no insurance. For me I will no longer buy or support ResMed products. They are not the only ones that have good cpap equipment. For people who cannot afford cpap equipment,there are other companies I would buy from. I wish everyone could afford good insurance and have the money to buy the best they can. Unfortunately, a lot cannot . That is why there are so many people buying from cpap.com because they lack the funds to pay for their equipment.
th

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:08 pm

Anonymous wrote:And who gets the extra $250?

It goes to cpap dot com or whomever is selling the product.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:27 pm

Maybe CPAP.com could use the extra windfall to lower the prices on Remstar machines??

completelyhosed · Post by **completelyhosed** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:56 pm

What makes you think anybody is selling any Resmed machines at these sky high prices? Resmed's intent is to stop sales over the net to protect the brick and mortar DMEs and they are succeeding. Resmed's lose, other manufacturer's gain.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:01 pm

snoregirl wrote:Maybe CPAP.com could use the extra windfall to lower the prices on Remstar machines??

But if the ResMad products don't sell at the higher prices, they won't have the extra money.....which is precisely what ResMad's objective is.....to dry up Internet sales of their products.

Den