Who should I purchase my equipment from?

[PeterC]

I live just outside Ottawa Ontario and I've just finished a 30 day CPAP trial with MediGas.

Now it's time to purchase my equipment.

I'm really not thrilled with the service I've received from MediGas. I need dome documentation from them for my insurance company, and I can't get them to even return my phone calls.

With that in mind, I'm looking around to see if I can find a better option.

Can anyone in the Ottawa area suggest a provider that will be more responsive?

Thanks in advance.

PeterC

[Guest]

call Respironics and ask them to refer you to an authorized DME in your area. No US-based companies (internet providers included) are authorized to ship into Canada. Good luck!

[Pugsy]

I assume you were asking for other Canadians in your area to offer a good DME to work with. I cannot help you there but if you don't get any response from your fellow Canadians you might consider amending you subject line to get Canadian attention.

BTW the only company that prevents US based providers (online or whatever) from shipping to Canada is ResMed.
Any other company and/or their products are available from US based providers.
Our forum host cpap.com will ship to Canada as long as it is not a ResMed product.

[Guest]

Don't count on that Pugsy.

[Wulfman]

call Respironics and ask them to refer you to an authorized DME in your area. No US-based companies (internet providers included) are authorized to ship into Canada. Good luck!

Authorized by whom? Is there a governing body on this? Nope. It's by the individual manufacturers' strong-armed tactics. And, so far it's just ResMed.

What happened to NAFTA?


Den

[jules]

The experience of other forum members is that if you want to use the Ontario Funding available you need to use a Canadian Vendor. I suggest doing a forum search for Ontario and for OHIP I believe it is.

[Mtnviewer]

I'd suggest that you don't use your "insurance", and pay for your machine and supplies yourself out of pocket for perhaps the same costs as your out of pocket expenses that your insurance company will eventually make you pay, and buy it online from cpap.com or cpapauction.com or even on Craig's list. I live in Canada and bought my machine from cpapauction.com and other equipment and supplies from cpap.com. No problems shipping to Canada and no problem with my prescription with either website. There are other online retailers too. Then you aren't at the mercy of the insurance companies and DME's and what they will only pay for or have in stock or insist that they sell you. Insurance can be false economy. With "insurance", any insurance, you may think that you're not paying now, but they'll for sure make you pay later. I have no ties to any insurance for my PAP therapy, complete freedom and I'm on a really tight budget, so I know that it's very doable and very affordable on one's own.

[TheOneBlackMage]

The experience of other forum members is that if you want to use the Ontario Funding available you need to use a Canadian Vendor. I suggest doing a forum search for Ontario and for OHIP I believe it is.

The Ontario program is ADP or "Assistive Device Program". They will pay 75% of the cost of the CPAP machine, which is normally capped at $1060, so you only pay $260. They will only do this for registered respiratory vendors in Ontario, so if you purchase from cpap.com or outside the province, they won't reimburse the vendor. They cover: CPAP/APAP device, heated humidifier, basic mask and headgear, carrying case, 6 ft tubing, all necessary caps and filters, power cord and patient instruction manual.

More information: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/pub ... /cpap.html

The cost of the equipment in Canada is grossly inflated compared to the US, so if you're paying for equipment not covered by ADP or your insurance, I would definitely look at purchasing online. Find out ahead of time exactly what your insurance will cover - I had mine send me a letter with all of the details.

I checked for locations for my supplier (ProResp) in Ontario, but unfortunately they don't have any near Ottawa. I'd check with your doctor, as they may be able to give you some others to check reviews on.