How actually the apnea treatment works in Canada?

[supermikelala]

I am in Ontaio, canada. Here is my story. Started seeing a sleep dr 14 months ago. slept one night at a lab, confirmed apnea, dr presicribed a dreamstation. He directly sent the prescription to the DEM whom I totally didn't know.

The machine has mordem sending my data to the server of DEM, the dr asked for the data last time I saw him. As I heard, in canada, if you stopped the medical process, you could lose your driver's license.

Now the recall came. Not sure what to do. I don't want to use a machine that could cause cancer and I lost trust in Philips. Not mention it might take a while for them to replace my machine. I want to buy a machine myself from Amazon, like the resdmed s10.

Here is the part I don't know how it works and what to do.

I might be able to ask the dr to prescribe another machine, he might do it and send the prescript to DEM. As we know, DEM charge a much higher price than Amazon. I might not be able to afford it.

If I don't need prescription and buy one from Amazon. Firstly the DEM will notice I don't have data anymore, then notify the dr, and this might cause suspension of my driver's license. Moreover, how can I give doctor my data in the future?

Does anyone have any idea how this Apnea treatment really works in Canada? Thanks a lot in advance!

[Julie]

Hi, from NB, but worked 20 yrs in TO hospitals. First of all, you're not going to get cancer from your machine... lot of nonsense, so forget that. Second, it's "DME" (durable med. equipment), not DEM. Machines here cost more because of the exchange rate, not some other reason. What machine (model, not just brand name) do you use now? At what pressure settings?

You do need scripts to buy machines from the manufacturers, but not from private people or other places, whether Amazon or e.g. Secondwindcpap.com who are very reliable, and affordable when it comes to used (but not badly at all) machines - check them out. And do consider switching to ResMed (e.g. Airsense 10 Auto) vs Phillips anyhow... lots more happy customers.

But the business about the modem sending info to your MD - again, check with OHIP or ADP for what's allowed, what doesn't matter, etc. etc. Thing is, if you have private insurance, they may require confirmation that you use the machine, not by seeing data (they couldn't care less), but by your using it for a certain # of hrs for a limited no. of months (they do that in the U.S.), but if that's not relevant, then you should be able to ask for whatever type and name of machine you want, but I can't tell you who will pay for it... but others from Ont. might be able to. Most here use software called Oscar (that you download here and that's the best anywhere) and often print out results for their doctors to see - no modems involved.

I hope others here (e.g. Dog Slobber) will give you more help - I haven't been in Ont. for quite a while now.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[Dog Slobber]

In Ontario CPAP devices are usual procured through the OHIP ADP (75% subsidized) program.

Typical replacement is 5 years.

I don't know how or even if, the Philips respironics recall is affecting the ADP program. With your previous prescription, you should be able to buy a second device. but that would be out of pocket.

If you're comfortable, you can also buy second hand from Kijiji or FB marketplace.

[ChicagoGranny]

I don't want to use a machine that could cause cancer

This is my biggest beef with Philips - they have led some people to think that using their machines will cause cancer.