Getting a new machine

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:35 am

I Iive in Canada so would appreciate responses from Canadians here. I have a CPAP machine that is just over 4 years old. I am thinking of getting an APAP. Since my older machine is not broken, the Government (Ontario) will not pay anything towards a new machine. I have pretty much decided to buy it myself with some help from my extended health insurance.
I have the prescription for my old machine. It is dated 2002. My questions are - Do I need to go through another sleep study? Do I need a new prescription? Should it say for APAP? Thanks.

sleepyWI · Post by **sleepyWI** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 9:50 am

I believe if you order from cpap.com you can get an apap with a prescription that says cpap. The date should be a problem but you can always call in and ask them. Go here .....

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-faq/Prescript ... l#FGID-130

hope this helps

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:23 am

My understanding from reading posts in the various apnea forums has been that the script for a CPAP machine is good for life for online purchase. Local DMEs require a "timely" script and most likely would not honor a 2002 script in 2007 as they must set the pressures according to the script. Online DMEs do not pre-set the pressures. I'm not saying this is gospel just that this is what I've read in various apnea forums.

mattman · Post by **mattman** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:03 pm

What they have said is pretty much spot on.

Brick and mortar DME companies are regulated and therefore required to comply with Federal and state laws that require:
1) Prescriptions for AutoPAP must have a range (And therefore must say AUTO)
2) Equipment is set to prescribed pressures
3) Prescriptions are valid for 1 year

Online vendors are not regulated and therefore not required to comply with these laws. Therefore they can provide an auto with a cpap script, do not have to pre-set pressures. I am not positive on the date for prescriptions.

mattman

tomjax · Post by **tomjax** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:40 pm

Mattman,
An ORDER is required, not a prescription.

Where did you get the notion that a "prescription", actually an order expires in 1 year?.

Many DME also think it expires in 1 year like a Rf dor drugs.
This is not the case, regardless of the perpetual myths that will continue on the forum.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 3:46 pm

To throw another monkey wrench into the issue, some insurance companies REQUIRE a new cpap mask/supplies prescription (order) every year. Mine does (Tricare).

Yes, I can purchase a mask and supplies without a prescription, but if I want to get reimbursed I need a new script annually. At least that is what I have been told by my insurance company.

KansasRT · Post by **KansasRT** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:19 pm

If you are billing insurance, a written order needs to be on file every year. (It can be a faxed copy)

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:19 pm

I'm not certain but don't think any Canadians have yet replied to my post. Some replies were not identified as to location.
Just to add another question - have any Canadians here bought a machine from CPAP.com? How was the cost as far as exchange is concerned? How much did you pay in shipping? I'm still looking for an identified Canadian who might answer my earlier questions too. There are great "packages" on CPAP.com right now -an M Series APAP with C-Flex, humidifier and card reader and all that goes with that included. There is also a package with the traditional Respironics APAP, C-Flex, Humidifier and the tracking stuff as well.
Question for anyone - Are both of these easy to set up? Can a layperson do it? Is one of thes machines preferable?
Thanks again all.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:31 pm

Hawthorne,

I KNOW I've seen posts by Canadians who have purchased from CPAP.COM.

The vast majority of people have had no problems installing the software and setting up the machines. CPAP.COM includes ALL of the manuals with their machines.

Best wishes,

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:49 pm

tomjax wrote:Mattman,
An ORDER is required, not a prescription

As I answered to you the last time you brought this up, the terms "order" and "prescription" for purposes of what we discuss here are mutally interchangeable.

In order to provide an item that is limited to prescription only, an order/prescription is required.

mattman

mattman · Post by **mattman** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 4:50 pm

Argh. Happened again. Obviously that was me being guested.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:54 pm

Sounds like those in the "industry" are the blind leading the blind. Forget this order and your prescription expires in a year crap, that is all BS. OSA is a life-long disorder and your prescription for therapy expires when you do.

if you are wanting to purchase your own machine out right and you have a 2 year old prescription for cpap, that is all you need, NO new study or prescription is needed. All you need to do is:

1. Order the autopap machine of your choice from cpap.com
2. Email or fax over a copy of your prescription after you place your order (they will send you an email requesting it, you can scan it to a jpeg or pdf image and reply with that image.
3. Your machine will be shipped to you with all the manuals the method you choose.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 5:55 pm

Hawthorne, here is a link I found when I did a Canada search. Perhaps it will give you some info:

viewtopic.php?t=13754&highlight=canada

At least it might give you some names of Canadians. You can send them a PM (private message) by clicking in the box under their names.

mattman · Post by **mattman** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 6:24 pm

Snoredog wrote:Sounds like those in the "industry" are the blind leading the blind. Forget this order and your prescription expires in a year crap, that is all BS. OSA is a life-long disorder and your prescription for therapy expires when you do.

Or people could pay attention to what I write and notice that I clearly stated many of the regulations we have follow as a traditional DME don't apply to an online vendor.

But thanks for the insult all the same!

Mr. Blindman

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:33 pm

Hawthorne... try WillSucceed or jskinner

Getting a new machine

Getting a new machine

prescriptions

Getting a new machine

Re: prescriptions