POLL: OTC CPAP?

[jnk]

Feel free to explain reasons for your answer by posting to this thread.

[Hose_Head]

I voted no. For quite self-serving reasons.

I have insurance that covers 100% of my cost for purchase of an xpap, and close to 100% of my supplies. This insurance would disappear if xpaps were available over the counter without Rx. Even if the over the counter prices represented manufacturer's cost only, it would cost me far more than it does now for my therapy.

If I were without insurance, I'd likely vote yes on the premise that prices would drop accordingly (not a sure-thing).


For the record, I fully agree that there is no medical reason for requiring an Rx for purchase of an xpap.

[Stormynights]

I am now supposedly covered 100% by insurance and I still think they should be OTC options. It is just air not a dangerous drug. If you lost your insurance I bet you would want OTC supplies. It almost makes me feel like some people think I have great insurance and everyone that doesn't can just do without as long as I get what I need.

[jdr999]

For the record, I fully agree that there is no medical reason for requiring an Rx for purchase of an xpap.

Well for run-of-the-mill OSA without pre-existing heart complications, possibly.

But there are others with a bit more complicated medical history and a mis-configured machine may actually trigger potentially dangerous events.

When Joe Schmoe buys a CPAP at 7-11 with directions in "chinglish" for his aunt who just had a triple-bipass... Well, you can probably see how things can go wrong in a hurry..

[Stormynights]

I would think that someone with other medical conditions would have insurance that would pay for the (medical equipment version ) and not a generic version. If the person with a medical condition couldn't get a medical equipment version wouldn't they be better off with a generic cpap?

[jdr999]

I would think that someone with other medical conditions would have insurance that would pay for the (medical equipment version ) and not a generic version. If the person with a medical condition couldn't get a medical equipment version wouldn't they be better off with a generic cpap?

Wait, what?

It's not a question of brand vs. generic. Some of us really do require help from medical professionals and things can go bad when someone inexperienced is at the wheel.

Again, for run-of-the-mill OSA it's not rocket science. But for more serious medical conditions self-help isn't always the safest option. Without seeking proper medical advice how can we differentiate between the typical OSA cases and the rest? I think that's why they all currently require a prescription.

But again, what do I know? I haven't even stayed at a Holiday Inn

[Hose_Head]

I am now supposedly covered 100% by insurance and I still think they should be OTC options. It is just air not a dangerous drug. If you lost your insurance I bet you would want OTC supplies. It almost makes me feel like some people think I have great insurance and everyone that doesn't can just do without as long as I get what I need.

Would you be willing to pay several hundred dollars more per year than you currently are paying for your xpap treatment just so that others without insurance might get some undefined break on the price that they currently are paying? If yes, then you are a far better person [and much wealthier] than am I. I suspect that most others, if honest, would agree with my position.

[Stormynights]

I am now supposedly covered 100% by insurance and I still think they should be OTC options. It is just air not a dangerous drug. If you lost your insurance I bet you would want OTC supplies. It almost makes me feel like some people think I have great insurance and everyone that doesn't can just do without as long as I get what I need.

Would you be willing to pay several hundred dollars more per year than you currently are paying for your xpap treatment just so that others without insurance might get some undefined break on the price that they currently are paying? If yes, then you are a far better person [and much wealthier] than am I. I suspect that most others, if honest, would agree with my position.

I thought we were talking about OTC cpap.

[StuUnderPressure]

I really AM for OTC sale of CPAP & Supplies - but as long as that means it WON'T be covered by insurance, I can't see how anyone who has insurance would support that.

Now, when insurances start to cover some OTC items (including CPAP), then I am supporting it 100%. OR, at least reduce the costs of CPAP & supplies to a more reasonable amount.

[Stormynights]

Ibuprofen is sold both OTC and by prescription depending on the strength if I am not mistaken. Why can't cpap machines and masks be both?

[djhall]

Yes, most OTC medication is covered by insurance if you get a doctor to write it on a prescription.

[chunkyfrog]

I voted yes, because I believe it's one way to get some of the greediest players out of the loop,
and give competition a chance.
I do, however have reservations.
Years ago, when my allergy pills were RX, my co-pay was negligible.
Then they were approved OTC, and my insurance no longer had to pay for them,
The net price went down--a little, but my net cost went up by several times.
My cost did not go down again until generics became available OTC.

[Hose_Head]

Yes, most OTC medication is covered by insurance if you get a doctor to write it on a prescription.

My insurance USED to work that way and I used to make use of that coverage. However, with the economic turn down several years ago, this added benefit was lost. Now, items not requiring an Rx are no longer covered by insurance, doctor's prescription or not.

[StuUnderPressure]

Yes, most OTC medication is covered by insurance if you get a doctor to write it on a prescription.

NOT by my drug insurance!

Having a Doctor write it on a prescription means NOTHING to them.
OTC means you DON'T need a prescription.
Having the Doctor write it on his prescription pad does NOT convert it from OTC to prescription.

At least, that has been "MY" experience.

[Hose_Head]

I am now supposedly covered 100% by insurance and I still think they should be OTC options. It is just air not a dangerous drug. If you lost your insurance I bet you would want OTC supplies. It almost makes me feel like some people think I have great insurance and everyone that doesn't can just do without as long as I get what I need.

Would you be willing to pay several hundred dollars more per year than you currently are paying for your xpap treatment just so that others without insurance might get some undefined break on the price that they currently are paying? If yes, then you are a far better person [and much wealthier] than am I. I suspect that most others, if honest, would agree with my position.

I thought we were talking about OTC cpap.

Yes. We are. What did YOU think we were "talking" about?

Perhaps the confusion comes from my use of the terminology "xpap treatment" which is the use of xpap and related supplies to treat sleep apnea.

So, would you be willing to pay several hundred dollars more per year than you currently are paying for your xpap treatment just so that others without insurance might get some undefined break on the price that they currently are paying by buying their xpap and supplies over the counter?