No insurance & just want a new mask...

[SleepyHeadMommy]

I have been using my CPAP for 2 1/2 yrs now. I have had no insurance for 2 of those years and still don't, plus I am a full time student with no job. My prescription is a year old now. I am on my 2nd type of a mask (nasal-with the 2 things going in the nose and the rest around your mouth). I am wanting to get another type of mask b/c this one I am using, now is leaking in the nasal area. That is probably cause I have had it for over a year now. Anyways, the clinic says I need to see the Dr.(which will be about a $90.00 visit) in order to get a prescription so I can get a new mask. I am interested in the Quattro™ FX from Resmed only because it doesn't have that stuff on my nose and forehead which had made markings on my face. I am looking at about $180 or so for that one.

Can't I just go online and order one from somewhere w/o a prescription?

Desperately seeking a good nights rest and waking up feel fresh again and not tired without freaking out over how I can pay for one.

[Pugsy]

I think the online suppliers will require a RX,

Have you checked EBay? Sellers there offer the replacement parts and thus bypass the RX requirement. You can build your own mask with replacement parts and still come in less than some online prices. If they don't have what you want do you know someone who has a cpap machine and current script? That person could purchase it for you.

[BlackSpinner]

Unless your prescription has an end date on it you can use it at cpap.com. They will even fax your doctor to get a prescription if there is a problem.

[jtate]

I have always purchased replacement parts on eBay. Even though you don't have insurance, it would still represent a fraction of your insurance co-pay if you buy online. My husband has what some call a "Cadillac" insurance plan (I'm not on his plan, because his employer wants $750/mo to do so) and buying off eBay is still cheaper for him when he needs to buy his replacement parts for his cpap. My insurance plan is crap (unless I'm near death, then it will pay some of the bill). So, I am always looking for ways to save money!

[moresleep]

Cpap.com, craigslist.com, ebay.com, cpapmaskdeals.com--lots of places you can buy a mask at a fraction of the price of that DME. Most have not required me to have a prescription. Personally, my favorite is the Swift II.

[Emilia]

Sounds like you need to replace the pillows.... are those also 2 yrs old????? Most of us replace pillow every few months. I watch ebay for my pillows and can usually get them for way less than retail price on there. I tend to think you will find a FFM harder to adjust to than the hybrid you are using.... IMHO.

Please take a minute to go up to the User Control Panel (under search, top left) and then to your Profile and then Edit Equipment. Choose your gear from the pull down menus and the choose to show those in TEXT, not pictures. This will put your equipment at the bottom of every post your write automatically, like mine below. Those with the same equipment can help you better than having to constantly ask you what you use!

The Quattro is a ResMed mask so finding it at a discount will be impossible....they price fix their products.

Rx's can be marked as limited or PRN or lifetime..... if you have a copy of your original, check it out. My first Rx was limited, and cpap.com alerted me to that fact. I asked the doctor to re-write a generic Rx that was open ended, and he did that for me without hesitation. It is appalling they want to charge you $90 just to get a new Rx for equipment. My doc's office gals handle that request by phone and have it waiting for me to pickup....no charge. It isn't like your Dx has changed...you just need a new mask. Crazy!

[nanwilson]

It sounds like you are using either a hybrid or liberty....if that is the case you don't need a whole new mask just the pillows and cushion. If you would fill in your equipement profile we could help you out. I have a spare pillows and cushion size small for the hybrid that you could have if that is your mask. You can buy the pillows only on ebay really cheap too.