Prescription help. And do I need RX just for mask?

[FamilyNature]

I live in Ontario, Canada and written on my prescription is "only valid in Ontario". Cpap.com will not accept my prescription for purchase of a mask. I was hoping to be able to buy a mask cpapauction but it appears a prescription is required to buy a mask there as well.

The place where I got my machine charges $350 for a mask that I can find on cpap.com for less than half the price. I am extremely frustrated. Am I limited to only buying masks in Ontario? Any other Ontarians or Canadian face this as well? Is there any way to get around this?

Thanks,
FN

[Pugsy]

Any physician can write the script. Do you have a different doctor that would write you another script without that limitation?

Have you explained to the doctor that wrote the script. that the mask can be had from other sources at half the price with a change in the script?

Got any family or friend that also has OSA with a script that can purchase the mask for you?

[FamilyNature]

I had a long conversation with my doctor about his. He says he has been advised by his lawyers to put that condition on all his prescriptions. I explained about the price difference. Here in Ontario the government pays a portion of CPAP costs BUT only if you buy from "approved" suppliers. The approved suppliers charge twice as much so there really is no savings from the government in the end -- it's such a scam. Anyway, don't even get me started on that. It makes my blood boil. Anyway, the Dr. said his hands were tied, he could not write a prescription without the condition.

I wondered if my GP would be able to write a prescription -- I will have to check into that and she if she'd be willing.

I have one friend with a CPAP but she doesn't have a copy of her prescription. I can't think of anyone else I know who has a CPAP.

Thanks for your response.

FN

[OntarioKevin]

Feel your pain. Live in Ontario.

Everything I've bought, I've done without a prescription, because my original doctor was basically running a scam pushing cheap machines at inflated prices, collecting government money.

So three suggestions:

1) Try to find what you need at SecondWindCPAP.com. They have or can find most things, and ship to Canada with no problems.

2) CPAP.com will ship everything to Canada but Resmed products (although in fairness I haven't tried them for masks).

3) Look around at different CPAP distributors in Canada, and negotiate on price using prices you found online in the US. They can't match them, but with shipping from the US you might end up in a comparable place.

I honestly don't know how any of this will affect your prescription or insurance - what I do know is that you need the flexibility to experiment.

If I had to do it again, I would have done online research, then gone to a good distributor in Ontario armed with a set of masks I want to try and prices that they're available for in the US. The Ontario distributors have some room in pricing, but not a ton.

Resmed seems to be the only real problem - not sure how they're able to enforce their shipping restrictions into Canada, but for the most part they've been successful in doing so.

[OntarioKevin]

also just sent you a PM for a distributor that's been pretty good for me (although still much higher prices than US websites)

[FamilyNature]

Thanks OntarioKevin.

Did you ever try to get a prescription from your GP? I know my GP has copies/reports from my sleep Dr. (I also have copies) so I'm hoping they might write me a prescription ... wishful thinking?

[Pugsy]

Yes, your GP can write a script if she is willing.

If you are wanting RedMed products cpap.com is banned from shipping Resmed products outside the US. Dumb restriction but it is a restriction. I think they did that to all larger online suppliers.

Might need to find a friend in the US...... if Kevin's ideas don't pan out.

What mask were you wanting? Another Liberty? Isn't it a ResMed? cpap.com couldn't ship it even with a working script to Canada.

[FamilyNature]

I'm looking for a Fisher & Paykel, either a FlexiFit 432 or a Forma. I am undecided but would take either on at this point in size small. cpapauction has one at a great price but they won't ship without a prescription either. *sigh*

FN

[FamilyNature]

Might need to find a friend in the US...... if Kevin's ideas don't pan out.

Yes, I definitely need to find a friend in the US!

[Pugsy]

Check your private message box for an idea.

[Julie]

I just checked (no longer do this) with my insce. co. if they'd cover an order from Cpap.com (less cost to them) and they did, many times. And I am in Canada.

[Hawthorne]

I am in Ontario but my prescription does not have that limitation ("only valid in Ontario"). I think that is terrible! I have had my prescription for 8+ years and have bought numerous things online from online suppliers as well as the auction site.

My prescription was written by my GP and he left it very open. He did it because I was mad about the 3 months wait I would have to see the Sleep Specialist. I was in my GP's office complaining about the long wait and he phoned the Specialist while I was there - got the titration setting and wrote me a prescription. The suppliers in Ontario knew that I had been through a sleep study though and they had no problem.

I would ask my GP. If you could get him/her to write you a fairly open prescription, you could use that online and, if you are using your insurance and buying from an Ontario supplier, you could use the one that says Ontario only.

If you buy online you may not get any help from your insurance probably (I don't unless it's from a Canadian online supplier - there are a few but they are quite expensive too) but the prices are sooo much cheaper from US suppliers and the auction site that it doesn't matter.

I have sent you a PM as well.

[avi123]

I'm looking for a Fisher & Paykel, either a FlexiFit 432 or a Forma. I am undecided but would take either on at this point in size small. cpapauction has one at a great price but they won't ship without a prescription either. *sigh*

FN

Hi, I have been trying a F&P full face, FlexiFit #432 (medium size ) for three month and I AM NOT satisfied with it because:

1) If you don't get it in EXACT size then expect lots of leaks around the face seal
2) It does not have the forehead screw support like the Quattro. So you can't adjust it to not sit on the nose bridge
3) Taking the headgear off your face is easy by pulling the Release Cord. But reattaching the headgear clip to the Glider strap is a NIGHTMARE!
4) The Glider metal wires come off their seats in the plastic mask
5) The chin support is not strong enough to support a dropped chin. So you still get mouth leak.
6) The plastic material of the clips are paper thin compared to Resmed clips. It's cheap stuff.

[FamilyNature]

Thanks avi123,

I have used the 431 and it was the best mask I''d tried. I figure I'd just go with the devil I know for now. At least I know I can make it work (mostly). Otherwise I'd be paying out of pocket for god-knows-how-many other masks that I've never even seen before, and still I might not find the right one. Being restricted to where I can buy limits things and makes them much more expensive.

This whole process is so frustrating. *sigh*

FN