where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

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jskinner
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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by jskinner » Fri Sep 12, 2008 1:33 pm

TomThumb wrote:According to my doctor most companies in the US are not supposed to ship to Canada.
I don't believe this to be true.
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Hawthorne
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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by Hawthorne » Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:19 pm

If US online cpap suppliers are "not supposed to" be shipping to Canada (or it is illegal), a lot of them have been doing what they are "not supposed" (or is illegal) to do for a lot of years. They always ask for the prescription for a cpap machine and that's what is required to buy a cpap machine in Canada or the US. A prescription is the only legal requirment I know of that is required to buy a cpap machine.

As far as brokerage fees go, They are charged by Courier companies if the machine, or other cpap equipment, is shipped by a Courier company.

There is no tax on medical equipment ( gst or pst) in Canada, and, as far as I know not in the US either. Most US online cpap suppliers mark their shipments to Canada as "Medical Equipment" and therefore no Customs or Duty fees are charged on these shipments if they are shipped via USPS International. You pay their price and the cost of shipping, which is very reasonable when they use the USPS and nothing more.

If you don't have or don't have a good enough extended health plan in Canada, you pay "out of pocket" buying from a US online company about as much as you would pay "out of pocket" even with assistance from the Province and buying in Canada, for the better machines. The Program is so restrictive as to what machine they will pay part cost for and when you can use the fund to get a new machine it is not worth much, in my opinion. We are told we can buy a new machine every 5 years and get the Provincial Assistance. In Ontario that is ONLY true if you go through a referral to a specialist and a sleep study AND your doctor writes a prescription for a new machine. This can take close to a year. If you have an old machine, and it is not broken- beyond repair, as far as my doctor is concerned, you will not get a new prescription and, therefore, no new machine - unless the sleep study showed you need a bi-level. You are left with an older machine now having limited life expectancy which is out of warranty.
My 6 year old prescription is good for life at cpap.com and I can even buy an auto with it, which I would not get in my Province, except under special circumstances.

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CPAPRRT

Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by CPAPRRT » Fri Nov 14, 2008 4:30 pm

Hey there,
I am a Respiratory Therapist working in sleep and came accross your thread looking for info on CPAP suppliers in Ottawa (thinking of moving there). Honestly, I would just buy it wherever you can get it cheapest, as long as your current prescrption is working for you and you wish to purchase the same mask (keep in mind that the companies do sometimes make changes to the models, but it should not affect the fit, at least not in a negative way). If you don't need a therapist, why pay more? Do be sure to grill them on the warranty and get record of the answers they give you. Also, and I'm from BC, if you are lucky enough for your province to cover it (it's not covered here or in most others), why not have them pay?
Also, if you go with a Respironics Remstar M series machine, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR M-SERIES HAS BEEN MANUFACTURED IN THE LAST YEAR TO 6 MONTHS. They have had A LOT of issues with failure in 2007. I know, I personally had to take back quite a few of their machines from my patients. They did just replace them, but it takes time and is super inconvenient for everyone (and shouldn't happen IMO). I have had people tell me that their suppliers said they've never had a problem and that makes me angry. As a consumer, you have a right to know. If you are getting a humidifier as well (which I recommend, but you didn't ask me...lol), be sure to ask who you're buying from about the connection ports on the humidifier chamber. If they are square and side by side, buyer beware (problems with water leaking to the motor)! If they are round and one is further back than the other (called the R3, round staggered connection), you should be ok.
Good luck!

Greneg

Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by Greneg » Sun Mar 15, 2009 9:46 pm

we is such a challenge to find the name and address of places which sell CPAP machines and parts in toronto I know there must be lots of them

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spitintheocean
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Re: supplies

Post by spitintheocean » Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:04 pm

Ms Piggy wrote: Depending where you live driving over to pick things up would work as you will have to pay brokerage fees, but I don't know much about that. the GST code is 57 for importation of medical supplies without GST and PST
If you make arrangements with your US supplier to ship by UPS, once you receive the tracking number you can make arrangements with UPS to clear Customs yourself and skip the brokerage charges. Just like at the border with any other personal importation, the staff at Customs will walk you through the completion of the paperwork for free. I've had many items shipped in this manner.

Paul

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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by frapilu » Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:33 am

As far as I'm concerned, if you buy your cpap supplies from cpap.com, they take care of it all so you don't have to worry about it. They also have the best prices and the best service/support I've seen anywhere.

My 2 cents' worth

France in Ottawa

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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by Hose_Head » Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:00 pm

sonspot wrote:hi there, i have a resstar already, but i need a new mask and machine soon, i've been looking around but i cannt seem to find anything in the toronto area, the best place i've seen so far is cpap.com and their in the USA which is ok but i would like something local, i really dont want to use the dealers,.. the machince that am looking at is the REMstar Pro II with C-Flex or the M Series Remstar Plus CFlex,.. any help would be great,.

thanks

If you're willing to try used, google Kijiji

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/f-cpap-Classif ... hFormZtrue

Some of the units listed there are described as "new". Ignore the listed prices. Just offer what you want to pay. Whatever you do, don't offer more than you can get a unit on-line for.
I'm workin' on it.

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freepostg
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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by freepostg » Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:05 pm

Guest wrote:AMEN TOM! WEll-said. Canadians should buy in CANADA - not from US businesses doing what they're not allowed to do and is illegal.
I think I recognize that tone...

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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by frapilu » Tue Mar 17, 2009 4:13 am

sonspot: I probably read the earlier parts of this post a while back but haven't lately so if this is already mentioned, sorry about that. If you're just looking to buy a mask & machine, you can always go to VitalAire. Their website says they have 70 locations across Canada -- see the Toronto list @ http://www.vitalaire.ca/en/homecare/Locations/toronto.

Personally I don't like VitalAire's policies but they recently bought out the only other competition here in Ottawa (formerly Access Therapy). I liked Access Therapy very much but now we're stuck with VitalAire. I bought my new machine from cpap.com last summer and had great service. I will probably deal with VitalAire if I really have to -- like if I decide I want to try a different kind of mask and want to have a loaner. Otherwise, if I just reorder my same mask -- very likely because I like the Quattro, I'll order it from cpap.com

Good luck to you.
France

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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by gordogolfer » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:15 am

The problem with the OHIP plan is that is quite restrictive in term of the system you can purchase. You might consider buying the system that they specify through OHIP and your private insurance plan. In my case I really wanted an AutoCPAP so I bought it from CPAP.com. My Dr. had no problem with that and gave me the prescription for it. I could have sold the original system on ebay for the same price as I paid for the full auto at CPAP.com. I did not do that but I might the next time
Good Luck

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MoneyGal
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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by MoneyGal » Tue Mar 17, 2009 5:23 am

...wha? I have an autoPAP and purchased it here in Toronto, with Quattro Mirage mask, 12 months of filters, integrated humidifier, and a cute hose cover - all for $500 flat. This is exactly the machine I wanted (based on the support I got from this forum) and I had absolutely no problems getting it and having the ADP cover $1200 of the cost.

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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by bettys » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:22 am

I live in the Ottawa area and order from Fisher & Paykel in the U.S. for my replacement mask's. They show up at my door in a few days with no extra costs (maybe because its medical stuff) i don't know but the price is about 1/3 or less of what we pay here. This only works if you know and are happy with what you use.

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Hawthorne
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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by Hawthorne » Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:52 am

MoneyGal - You got an auto and were able to use the funding from the ADP because, either you doctor felt you met the criteria set for an auto (the criteria for an auto is much more involved than for a straight cpap with the ADP) or she/he felt it was a good thing and just wrote the prescription for the auto. SOME doctors just feel everyone should have an auto because it also works in straight cpap mode. Too bad there weren't more doctors like that!!!

The ADP has different criteria for autos and provide more funding because they are more expensive. For many of us in Ontario, we can't get a prescription for an auto but--- we can buy an auto online with a prescription for a straight cpap ( no matter how old the prescription is) for a lot less money. So, if you can afford it (and it's a lot cheaper online) buy an auto online.

If you have a good extended health plan and can get a prescription for an auto it is worthwhile buying in Ontario. Unfortunately, you need a relatively new prescription to get the fudning from the ADP. Even after 5 years, when they SAY we can get a new machine, most people in Ontario have to go through another sleep study and get a new prescription to use the ADP funding. My old machine is 6+ years old. I got it using the ADP in 2002. I went back last year because I was concerned about the life span of my machine. I did the new sleep study (awful). The doctor said I just needed a slight change in pressure. He would not agree with my argument that my machine could go at any time. No new prescription - he just ordered a change in pressure. I took my 6+ year old prescription for a straight cpap and bought an auto online for less that 1/3 of what it would have cost here. I couldn't buy one here anyway, even if I could afford to pay full price. The suppliers require a fairly new prescription.

I buy all my masks online because they are so much cheaper! My extended health plan covers very little so I end up paying less when I buy online.

Bottom line - if you have a recent prescription and if it's for an auto you can get the funding from the ADP. Without those 2 things -no.

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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by MoneyGal » Tue Mar 17, 2009 8:46 am

Excellent post, Hawthorne! I'm pretty clear that unless my DME continues to provide me with truly awesome prices I'll be going elsewhere.

My sleep doc likes me. He told me so. I think it was related to my compliance, though.

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spitintheocean
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Re: where do buy new cpap in toronto ontario

Post by spitintheocean » Tue Mar 17, 2009 9:02 am

frapilu wrote:Personally I don't like VitalAire's policies but they recently bought out the only other competition here in Ottawa (formerly Access Therapy). I liked Access Therapy very much but now we're stuck with VitalAire.
Just some clarification about the number of Ottawa DMEs currently available as per the list provided to me at the General Hospital sleep center.

VitalAire (four locations in Ottawa + one in Gatineau)
Medigas (two locations in Ottawa + one in Gatineau)
About CPAP - Woodward Drive
Access Therapy - Jamie Avenue
Sleep Therapy Management - Bank Street
Therapie CPAP Outaouais - Gatineau
Centre Cardio-Respiratoire Outaouais (CCRO) - Gatineau

I suspect that Toronto would have even more independant suppliers since the ADP program ensures everyone charges the same price.

Paul

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Mask: Mirage Quattro™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
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Life is something to do when you can't get to sleep.
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