Resmed masks and pricing

[ww]

I realize that any company can basically do what they want to, and I sure can't and don't want to change that, but normally (in a competitive market) you can shop around for what you can afford.

My DME seems to want to have nothing to do with ResMed equipment and refuses to stock it. The cpap equipment websites seem to price ResMed masks and equipment higher than similar Respironics masks and equipment.

Is all of this due to Price Fixing (Minimum Advertised Price) or is there a valid technical and/or business reason for the higher pricing? Some people (most) have to buy their own equipment and (it seems) there has to be (or should be) a way to do it in a more competitive manner, or am I missing something?

Obviously my CPAP was not working very well last night!

[Slinky]

Well, I disagree w/you that most people have to buy their own equipment. There are still considerably MORE insured than uninsured people in this country. (USA).

The US Supreme Court recently ruled that MAP is legal w/few restrictions. Respironics has followed suit w/their MAP and Fisher & Paykel is said to be due to follow the trend as well.

Keep in mind that the phrase IS "Minimum ADVERTISED Price". Don't be bashful about asking an online DME supplier if they have any "unadvertised sale prices" on the equipment you are interested in.

The Resmed (and Respironics) MAP policies only serve to protect the local DME suppliers and was aimed at the online DME suppliers as insurances were taking too close a look at those considerably lower online prices when negotiating their contracted reimbursements w/the locals.

[Wulfman]

Well, I disagree w/you that most people have to buy their own equipment. There are still considerably MORE insured than uninsured people in this country. (USA).

The US Supreme Court recently ruled that MAP is legal w/few restrictions. Respironics has followed suit w/their MAP and Fisher & Paykel is said to be due to follow the trend as well.

Keep in mind that the phrase IS "Minimum ADVERTISED Price". Don't be bashful about asking an online DME supplier if they have any "unadvertised sale prices" on the equipment you are interested in.

The Resmed (and Respironics) MAP policies only serve to protect the local DME suppliers and was aimed at the online DME suppliers as insurances were taking too close a look at those considerably lower online prices when negotiating their contracted reimbursements w/the locals.

Slinky,

I'm not so sure.
WHO pays the insurance premiums and the co-pays? (and the taxes that go to Medicare, etc.?)

Answer: WE DO!

And, the more the manufacturers keep trying to prop up these highly inflated prices for this "stuff" and the entities that are making money from it, the madder I get. This is one of the (many) reasons our insurance/medical costs in this and other countries are out of control and out of the reach of far too many people.

It's gotten to the point where the small business owner and self-employed people can't afford medical insurance anymore......and the costs that larger employers (groups) pay is beyond ridiculous. Very few employees have fully paid medical coverage anymore. To get the amount of the paycheck withholding down, an employee has to opt for a larger deductibles. Even some of the BIG companies (like Wal-Mart) restrict their employees' weekly hours to less than "full-time" hours so they won't have to pay for medical coverage.

This is why, when somebody says "My insurance is paying.....", I feel like smacking my forehead.

Sorry for the rant......don't take it personally......but it's just another one of those "sore subjects" with me.


Den

[Wulfman]

I realize that any company can basically do what they want to, and I sure can't and don't want to change that, but normally (in a competitive market) you can shop around for what you can afford.

My DME seems to want to have nothing to do with ResMed equipment and refuses to stock it. The cpap equipment websites seem to price ResMed masks and equipment higher than similar Respironics masks and equipment.

Is all of this due to Price Fixing (Minimum Advertised Price) or is there a valid technical and/or business reason for the higher pricing? Some people (most) have to buy their own equipment and (it seems) there has to be (or should be) a way to do it in a more competitive manner, or am I missing something?

Obviously my CPAP was not working very well last night!

This may sound like I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth......but.....

You have a smart DME.
Yes, ResMed equipment IS higher than other brands......but at least most of their masks are BETTER than the ones made by Respironics. I won't say that about their machines, though.

They're ALL overpriced! (regardless of manufacturer)

The only masks that have worked for me are two made by ResMed.....the UMFF and Quattro. I've tried the Comfortfull 2 and the Zzz full face mask and neither worked for me. Consequently, I stocked up on the ones that worked for me before the "price-fixing" went into effect in 2006.

SOMETIMES you have to pay more to get better stuff......but almost $200 for a mask that probably costs $5 - $10 to make is ridiculous.

Do lots or research......shop online and get what works for you.....even if it costs a little more. You may not have to replace it as often.

Den (still in rant mode)

[Slinky]

Hey, I agree w/you, Den. Remember when I was interested in the Quattro but did NOT want my local DME to have to order it for me and then find out it wouldn't work for me? I was fortunate my sleep lab had an XSmall and could let me try it first?

I wanted the Resmed VPAP Auto instead of one of the others because then my insurances (Medicare and secondary) wouldn't have to pay for another humidifier.

Even tho I'm very well insured I "try" to hold purchases and costs down. It infuriates me that all these d*mn politicians want to or at least say they want to make health care available to everyone and yet DO NOTHING AT ALL to hold healthcare COSTS DOWN in any meaningful way that doesn't PUNISH the patients. Everything those idiots propose involve INCREASING healthcare costs. Or at least profits for the pharmaceutical companies and suppliers and ...... but NOT the direct healthcare providers like doctors and nurses; and restricting healthcare options for the patients - like Medicare working w/just one or two national DME suppliers (shades of Apria and Lincare!!!!!!). Scarey, isn't it?

[Warbird]

Den,

I agree with what you say. Another reason our healthcare system is going through the roof is illegal immagrants (and others) utilizing healthcare services and not paying the bill. How much longer is the US healthcare system going to survive with about half the 'customers' expecting free services and the other half paying inflated prices to cover the first group?

Now we have some presidential candidates talking about 'FREE' healthcare.
Nothing is free, someone is going to pay. Anyone want to take a guess as to who that might be?

/end rant

Back to the OP. If Resmed wants to jack up their prices, they are free to do so. We, as purchasers, are also free to decide to purchase a less expensive competitive model.


Warbird

[Wulfman]

Hey, I agree w/you, Den.

and

Scary, isn't it?

"I know".....and....."Yes, it is!"

The "scary" part is that the entities involved in the health(sick)care system are predominantly making their money off of the insurance industries.....which are supported by us. If, somehow by magic, the insurance industry was eliminated, it would make for a very "interesting" situation with regard to the price of healthcare.

Den

[Treesap]

My DME stocks ONLY Resmed equipment and mostly Resmed masks. I want Respironics brand masks. Respironics seems to have better styles for my needs. So I end up buying most of my masks on my own. Occasionally I'll get a Swift II because that is the only Resmed mask I can tolerate.