Cdn with a question and Concerned about ordering from US

[chunkyfrog]

Idea: contact nearest teaching hospital that puts out new sleep docs.
Ask how to get into the practice clinic; or for a list of new local grads.
At least then you are less likely to get an old Luddite.

[DaveL]

Thanks chunkyfrog. Do you need a referral in the US. I do here. From my GP.

[DaveL]

I may have the name of a sleepdoc to try. A friend at work was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea, and he's impressed with his sleepdoc.

Meantime I'm frustrated. The vendor that sponsors this forum has the best price for a nasal pillows mask. It's a huge savings. The local (Toronto) shop I visited wants approaching $300Cdn by the time I walk it out the door.
I'm so frustrated with the Cdn system; at least the system I've encountered.
I'm tired of know-it-all dme employees who don't know squat about OSA, or even the equipment they sell.

Just a tired old osa survivor.

DaveL

[Hawthorne]

I have found the same thing as you have. The prices for cpap machines, masks, and mask parts is outrageous in Ontario.

I have simply stopped buying here. I buy from cpap.com for most everything cpap. They will ship a mask or parts here for $17 and the mask costs way less than it does in Ontario. They ship via the Postal Service and there is no duty or customs to pay because it is medical equipment. I have bought all but my first machine from cpap.com as well. The cost of shipping a machine is a little more but, given the major price difference, it is much less than buying in Ontario.

Of course you need to have a prescription lodged with cpap.com to buy a machine or a mask. I am able to use the one I got in 2002. As I said, in a previous post on this thread, cpap.com understands that for most of us sleep apnea is for life and will honour an old prescription (unlike the providers in Ontario). My GP wrote that prescription after I had my sleep studies in 2002. I would have had to wait 4 months to see the Sleep Specialist and I felt that was too long. I complained to my GP and he called the Specialist -got the pressure setting and wrote the prescription. Resmed prohibits cpap.com from shipping their products to Canada. I have never used Resmed machines so that does not bother me.
There are ways to get Resmed machines and masks though if you want them.

I had another sleep study in 2008 (took almost a year from referal to meeting with the Specialist after) and, since my pressure was the same and my old machine was still working fine, the Specialist would not give me a new prescription so I could not get a new machine here and take advantage of the Assistive Devices Program in Ontario. So, as I said, have bought my machines from cpap.com since then using my 2002 prescription.

All I need is an auto machine, the Clinician's Guide for the machine, the software, help from this forum and I can adjust and monitor my own therapy. I have been doing this for 4 years now and have an AHI of under 1 most nights. I doubt I will have another sleep study.

[cflame1]

Keep in mind that if you're stuck on Resmed, you won't be able to get it from cpap.com without a US mail drop address.

[Hawthorne]

Yes, I should have said, if you want to have Resmed machines and masks, you need a US mail drop address or a friend in the US who would have the Resmed stuff shipped to them and then mail it on to you. Many online suppliers have separate "bill to"- "ship to" options. If you use a friend's address, ask them to ship it to you via the Postal Service and mark it "medical" or "gift". That should mean no customs or duty.

Of course you will probably be reimbursing your friend for shipping to you. However, If you bought $99 worth of stuff from cpap.com, they will ship it to a US address free and you will just have to pay your friend for shipping it on to Canada.

[Elle]

Last year I ordered Resmed swift fx from Activa Medical and it shipped to Canada free.

[Hawthorne]

Elle- that's interesting!

[Rayce]

Last year I ordered Resmed swift fx from Activa Medical and it shipped to Canada free.

Hi Elle. i am also looking at ordering from Activa medical, i have a trial machine for 4 weeks then i have to buy. the only place here quoted me 2300.00 canadian and it looks like i can get the same machine for about 1050.00 us from Activa , do you remember how long it took to get yours?

Thanks Rayce

[Elle]

Sorry, I only got the mask and a flimsy one at that so it fit in a bubble envelope. My machine was covered by insurance and the insurer won't pay for things I order online from the US.

Why don't you give them a call? They are very helpful.

[Hawthorne]

Actually, I remember trying to buy replacement pillows for my Aloha from Activa Medical. They wanted too much for shipping. Their site does say that shipping costs may vary from country to country depending upon the items ordered and that all their items do not ship internationally.

[Elle]

Ah, ok, Just adding my little anecdote. I hope you can find something to work to your satisfaction. Sometimes 2nd hand works out as well.

[nanwilson]

You can buy Resmed products from clinicalsleep.com in Vancouver, I bought a Resmed Ultra Mirage from them. Was about $20 more than guote from cpap.com...but they can't ship to Canada, while clinicalsleep is in Canada.

[Rayce]

Thanks I will give them a call

[user from Singapore]

The prices for cpap machines, masks, and mask parts is outrageous in Ontario.

Come to Singapore. You won't be disappointed.

Of course you need to have a prescription lodged with cpap.com to buy a machine or a mask.

I bought my equipment online without prescription. I can give you the website details if you want.