Newb to cpap

[jambo101]

Hi ..after being diagnosed with sleep apnea i just transferred $3000 from my line of credit to my checking account in preparation for buying a Respironics cpap machine tomorrow.I am having a hard time justifying this kind of money for a little plastic box with a mask,air pump,and a computer with enough capacity to turn the unit on and remember a few parameters. Can some one give me a better perspective than what my frugal practical nature is giving me.
The machine will cost $2200 and because i live in Quebec i get to pay 14% tax on top of that.

[DreamStalker]

Why not buy it online from CPAP.com?

You could buy two machines for that kind of money ... and possibly have some left over ... now that is the frugal option.

[bdp522]

Here's a better perspective...

That 'little plastic box with a mask,air pump,and a computer with enough capacity to turn the unit on and remember a few parameters' could save your life. What will the cost be when you have a stroke? What about the damage to your heart and brain that occur with OSA? I think the price of a xpap machine and supplies are well worth the benefits!

As Dreamstalker said, you can shop around and get better prices. I have purchased from cpap.com and have been very happy with level of service they give.

Brenda

[echo]

Unless you're set on Respironics, get the Sandman Auto for $740 + shipping on cpap.com
(https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html)
(And you'll have to check with other Canadians on any possible import taxes, but it's not going to bankrupt you.)

Then take the rest of the money and celebrate your road to health!

Think of all the money you'll save by avoiding heart disease, stroke, car crashes, reduced quality of life, premature death (well an extended life may not actually save you money)...!!!

[Paul56]

Hi ..after being diagnosed with sleep apnea i just transferred $3000 from my line of credit to my checking account in preparation for buying a Respironics cpap machine tomorrow.I am having a hard time justifying this kind of money for a little plastic box with a mask,air pump,and a computer with enough capacity to turn the unit on and remember a few parameters. Can some one give me a better perspective than what my frugal practical nature is giving me.
The machine will cost $2200 and because i live in Quebec i get to pay 14% tax on top of that.

Unfortunately, the Quebec provincial government still do not recognize sleep apnea as a legitimate condition. This is an extremely unfortunate short-sighted view because the provincial health care system could save themselves 10s of thousands of dollars in medical expenses if they were to assist people in getting serious health issues nipped in the bud bu assisting them with xPAP purchases when needed.

I don't believe there is tax charged on medical devices even in Quebec.

If you do not have a group plan then do yourself a favor and take a look at CPAP.COM If you do have a group plan and it does not spell out that xPAP devices are covered in the documentation then do give the provider a call... this was my situation and I found out they actually do cover the devices under my plan up to a maximum amount of $2,000.

[carbonman]

Can some one give me a better perspective than what my frugal practical nature is giving me.

How much is your life, worth??

[jambo101]

My insurance fortunately covers 80%.Thanks for the heads up on cpap.com any one from Canada bought a machine from the states?what additional costs were incurred....Thanks
PS Wish i took note of the machine he was selling me i just remember seeing Respironics written on it,is there a price list somewhere of Respironics cpap machines so that when i go into the office on Monday and he shows me this machine for $2200 i can immediately check a print out of realistic prices for this unit,if i can order it online for half his price i'll tell the guy he is taking advantage of me and proceed to order online.

[echo]

My insurance fortunately covers 80%.Thanks for the heads up on cpap.com any one from Canada bought a machine from the states?what additional costs were incurred....Thanks
PS Wish i took note of the machine he was selling me i just remember seeing Respironics written on it,is there a price list somewhere of Respironics cpap machines so that when i go into the office on Monday and he shows me this machine for $2200 i can immediately check a print out of realistic prices for this unit,if i can order it online for half his price i'll tell the guy he is taking advantage of me and proceed to order online.

You might want to start a new thread on "canadian cpap import taxes" or some such, and ask it in that post.
For the machine prices, go to cpap.com and find the machine you're thinking of - suggested retail prices will be listed there.

[Julie]

BTW, you don't pay any customs duty with Cpap.com because they put a "Medical Device" sticker or something like that on the pkge and that's all you need. I've ordered from them for years as has my bro.

[jambo101]

Unless you're set on Respironics, get the Sandman Auto for $740 + shipping on cpap.com
(https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html)
..!!!

Checked your link and the price looks good but it seems i need a prescription to order the device.I doubt the doctor who gave me the sleep test and is going to be selling me this machine is going to give me a prescription to order some one elses machine

[Kiralynx]

Checked your link and the price looks good but it seems i need a prescription to order the device.I doubt the doctor who gave me the sleep test and is going to be selling me this machine is going to give me a prescription to order some one elses machine

So tell him you need a copy of your prescription for when you travel. That's what I did. No need to tell him you are going to buy from someone else.

[Snoredog]

I would NEVER pay $3,000 for a xPAP machine, ever!

Go browse machines at CPAP.com, do you have your results of your sleep study? what does it say?

They can ship to Montreal.

[goose]

Hey jambo 101,
You need to get a copy of your prescription from the doc. Fax it or digitize and send via email to cpap.com so that they have it on file.
Don't take the prices you see on the web site as gospel -- there are a lot of MAP (minimum advertised price) suppliers that force online suppliers to put up a price that is ridiculous -- look them over, figure out what you want and give them a call for the "real price" you'll pay. They do ship to Canada!!!

I would never buy a xPAP machine for that kind of money -- unless it was an extra special Auto BiPAP or something like that -- I don't think that even BiPAP's are that much money!!!

I hope some of the Canadians here will check in -- agree with the other post regarding starting another thread about Canadian purchase/tax issues. If I recall there is no tax because it is medical equipment, nor is there import duties for the same reason....but that's just from memory (and I have apnea ).....

Good luck
take care
cheers
goose

[Hawthorne]

I'm Canadian but am in Ontario and, since Health is a Provincial matter in Canada, I don't know the situation in Quebec.

In Ontario, we can get our prescription so that we can purchase from any supplier. When a person in Ontario is first diagnosed and is getting their first machine (and startup equipment), they receive financial help from the Provincial Gov't. That's the route I went 6 years ago. I also had a good extended health plan then as well and paid nothing (out of pocket) for the equipment. The price was still outrageously high. If you get a new prescription in Ontario anytime, you can go this route again every 5 years.


This year I wanted a new machine since so many features have come out since 2002 when I got mine. In additon, I was experiencing more fatigue and decided that I should get another sleep study and, hopefully, get a prescription for a new machine. I had the sleep study but did not get a new prescription, since, according to the Specialist, I just needed a pressure change and, since my machine was not broken, I would not get a new prescription.

I had my old prescription which is for a straight cpap. I forwarded it to an US online supplier and was able to purchase a brand new auto with humidifier plus the software and reader for 2/3 less than the cost of just a machine, humidifier and mask in Ontario. I did not get help from my extended health but it didn't matter, given the great price! You have to buy masks separately online but they are way cheaper than they are in Canada as well.

Without a newer prescription, in Ontario you can't get a new machine even if you are willing to pay that inflated price yourself.

The machine I ordered online came marked "Medical Equipment". There was no tax and no customs charged. These online suppliers know how to ship it so that we don't pay tax or customs. I paid their price plus very reasonable shipping charges, and the exchange.

If you can, get your prescription and buy online. You will save a lot of money!

If you are purchasing one of the main manufacturer's machines online, you should ask for the suppliers real price (it is quite a bit less than the price quoted on the site).

If you can, get that prescription and buy online. The price you were given ($2200) is just ridiculous. I don't know if you will have to pay customs or duty since Quebec doesn't recognize sleep apnea as a legimate condition. You need to check all that out. Even if you have to pay customs or duty (even taxes), I think you will still come out way ahead financially and with a superior machine.

[jambo101]

Thanks hawthorne, well i now have something called a Remstar auto M series with A-Flex and although it was expensive ($2225) the insurance doesnt seem to have a problem paying for it.
It also comes with the option to change the mask as often as i like for the first year (free),a card read and machine adjustment once a month (free), If machine malfunctions, machine repair or replacement for 5 years (Free)free consultation anytime (free)