Where do you guys buy CPAP items in Vancouver, Canada?

[mild6]

Any place offers competitive prices?

[granti55]

Hi I bought a lot a cpap.com I have been real happy with them

Grant

[Julie]

There are probably 1-3 or more places (probably, because there are the same ones in most big cities) such as Medi-Gas (least likely to be interested in, or knowledgable about Cpap), Lifecare (Respironics backed) and Vital-Aire, which is a Resmed place, but all do carry equipment from other companies, not just e.g. Resmed.

[Limestone]

I'm in Ontario and have found the best service and price from cpap.com

[Guest]

hi what's the shipping costs like for orders shipped to Vancouver? I guess they won't have those over USD 100 orders, free ground shipping?

[mild6]

Sorry, those of you who live in Canada, especially Vancouver, and have bought items from CPAP.com, are shipping costs an issue? What are they like?

[Guest]

Why not just call the company and ask whatever questions you have, then you'll know for sure the answers are accurate - they have an 800 number. Shipping costs are almost negligible for anything but a (heavier) machine and I'm not sure they necessarily charge more for those either.

[Hawthorne]

I'm in Ontario Canada and, this year, I have been buying cpap equipment online, especially from cpap.com. I buy several things at once. It's good to have masks and replacement parts, extras, etc on hand and they are so veyr much cheaper than in Canada- at least in Ontario. My shipping costs run about $17.00 for stuff like masks, humidifiers and replacement parts. Buying several items at once saves because there is only one shipping charge. Machines would be a little more to ship since I expect it goes by weight. The prices are so great though! It costs about a third of what it would cost in Ontario, even for machines. My extended health will not pay anything but I'm still ahead, especially with a dollar being in such good shape right now!

[Fredman]

I have purchased my machine and supplies from a brick and mortar service provider here in Edmonton. There are least 8 in the Edmonton area, so in Vancouver I would imagine more. Vital Air is one company probably in Vancouver.

BUT cpap.com is more affordable. The brick and mortar DME's are good in that they do provide support and staffed with RT's (Respiratory Technicians) who can help you with your machine, and mask fitting.

For example an Activa Mirage nasal mask cost me $225.00 at my DME. CPAP.COM charges $139.00 US + shipping. cpapauction.com even cheaper...some even new for starting bid price of $10.00 + shipping.

No matter how you slice, hopefully you have third party insurance that will cover your costs. Too bad these costs are not covered by basic healthcare and insurance more readily considering the importance of treatment to maintaining health...

[Guest]

I don't think living in Alberta helps much when it comes to gov't paying for medical equipment! !

[Fredman]

Guest...in response. Not even living in the "have" province of Alberta, we have limitations to Alberta Healthcare. My point is more pointed not only provincially but federally as the feds provide transfer money to the provinces for healthcare. SA, I believe will be shown as such a large impact on healthcare that the feds and provinces may start to realize the importance of diagnosis and treatment.

I lost a link, but the UK is going to spend massive amounts in diagnosis and treatment as they realize the savings to the healthcare system if they become proactive in dealing with SA.

Unfortunately, if you are Canadian, let alone an Albertan the issue is our healthcare system is eroding because of skyrocketing costs and lack of medical personnel. I guess you can laugh at the fact that even living in Alberta doesn't help paying for costs...and I don't think you meant anything by it other than the irony, but the problem is not only Canada wide it affects our US friends as well. Healthcare is in crisis in North America...not funny.

[Julie]

I AM Canadian and was just referring to the fact that Alta. (along with BC) seems bound and determined to opt out, which will leave you all in a whole other pickle once the dust settles!

[cflame1]

I'm a Canadian as well Julie... was brought up in Alberta... though I no longer live there (living in the US). I hear plenty about the health care system there now as my parents still live there and my father has a lot of dealings with the healthcare system.

I wish that the system was better for him but it's not.

[Fredman]

cflame1 and Julie Yes unfortunately they think that by going to user pay is going to make things better. Two tier system will only benefit the wealthy that can afford any medical procedure or equipment and the medical personnel.

Ralph Klein rid the province of nurses so that we now have a shortage...RN's can easily make $90,000 a year! My family doctor has gotten very negative about the government and has all sorts of notices outlining de-insured services.

Oh well...as Canadians we have to speak up and there doesn't seem to be a lot of people speaking up....the economy is not as bad as it once was and maybe folks aren't concerned. The bubble will burst and then we will see what happens.

Thank goodness I have a good third party medical insurance which covered my CPAP, HH and Mask....but only every 5 years. I believe the mask replacement, I am on my own.

[Julie]

Most insce. co's will replace a machine every 5 yrs, but it's usually 3-6 mos. only for new masks - mine doesn't even make that decisive, but says 'whenever reasonable', so I don't take advantage, but do replace them when I think it's needed, and so far I haven't been turned down.