CPAP Purchasing on the internet

snyderm · Post by **snyderm** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:54 am

I was wondering if some of you more knowledgeable CPAP users could help me out with a little excercise. I want to know what the costs would be for buying the CPAP machine that I have online, with a Full face mask. I think that the machine I now use is being rented from an insurance company. Just doing a little browsing myself, I found that my Fisher and Paykel Sleepstyl 254 costs:

$589
APAP machine at:

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-machine ... aykel.html

$109
Mask:
FlexiFit 431 Full Face CPAP Mask - HC431

http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-masks-b ... -face.html#

For a total of $698. I am still trying to determine if the machine comes with a humidifier unit built in. Can anyone look where they buy their machines and see if these prices are about right? Am I missing something that I need here? Is there initial programming of the machine that a sleep specialtist center would need to do first in order for me to use the machine, or is this machine as-is? Any help would be appreciated.

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:15 am

While those are good prices, you probably shoud check out cpap.com and compare. Buying online means that you get the Clinician's manual with it.

Your DME will probably not give you that.

With it, you can set up your own machine and adjust yor own pressure(s) to get optimal therapy right away instead of waiting for a DME to do it. Lots of help here to do that. There are just a couple of people on the forum who have that machine but it seems like a very good machine (with the software) and will probably become more popular in time.

Your insurance may or may not help you when you purchase online but you will probably save quite a bit of money and be able to get a good machine.

I suggest you also get the software fore your machine. If you are taking care of your own therapy, this helps in making adjustments and getting to the best settings for you sooner.

Also be aware that you need to upload a prescription to buy a machine and/or a mask online.

I bought an auto online, including the software in Febrary of 2008. I have bought all my masks online since then. I will probably buy my next machine online as well.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:21 am

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/fishe ... ifier.html

According to product information listed at above link, the humidifier is built in. Cpap.com says they will price match a lower price found elsewhere.

snyderm · Post by **snyderm** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:46 am

Wow, thanks everyone.

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:59 am

FYI: I bought a machine from cpap.com in January of 2009. This was a ResMed Vantage, which did NOT come with a clinician's manual. I would say that probably has to do with ResMed, rather than cpap.com.

Karen,
Who was a little bit disappointed, but has resources...

jdm2857 · Post by **jdm2857** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 9:27 am

birdshell wrote:FYI: I bought a machine from cpap.com in January of 2009. This was a ResMed Vantage, which did NOT come with a clinician's manual. I would say that probably has to do with ResMed, rather than cpap.com.

Karen,
Who was a little bit disappointed, but has resources...

Was there a CD in the box? The Clinical Guide for my S8 AutoSet II was on one (with the guides for the Escape II and Elite II as well.

cpap.com delivers everything the manufacturer put into the box. They do have to open the box to set up the machine, so it is always possible that something got misplaced.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:45 pm

I think everyone should buy online! Why waste time with those idiot DMEs! They obviously add no value and don't deserve to make a profit on what they sell. It's all easy - buy online! Save! Woo! I can't wait until the manufacturers just start selling directly to the people that use this stuff (and they will). Why do they need DMEs to explain masks and fit patients? Why do doctors need to monitor? Just buy online and save! Woo! This is all easy.

I wonder where the online dot commers will be once you can find this stuff on a Wal-Mart shelf? So here will be the process: get a sleep study, see your doctor, get a script, then just go to Wal-Mart and have them fit you on a mask! Again, why bother with DMEs? What's an RT? It's cheaper online! Yay!

Maple Leaf · Post by **Maple Leaf** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:51 pm

Guest wrote:I think everyone should buy online! Why waste time with those idiot DMEs!
!

My insurance carrier does not allow for online purchases. I have to physically pick up my equipment from the DME.

Rick

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:55 pm

Maple Leaf wrote:
Guest wrote:I think everyone should buy online! Why waste time with those idiot DMEs!
!
My insurance carrier does not allow for online purchases. I have to physically pick up my equipment from the DME.

Rick

GOOD! Maybe the industry will last an additional day.

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:01 pm

Guest wrote:So here will be the process: get a sleep study, see your doctor, get a script,

....close....

Get a copy of your sleep study.
Get copy of you Rx.
Get an Apap.
Get educated here.
Become your own best therapist.

Billy6 · Post by **Billy6** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:13 pm

I rented for a month and saw the prices on this site and tried to play the DME off against these prices and they told me to stick it. So, I dumped them. The bread and butter of the DME racket are those with full insurance. They pretty much know self payers are going elsewhere.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:19 pm

Billy6 wrote:I rented for a month and saw the prices on this site and tried to play the DME off against these prices and they told me to stick it. So, I dumped them. The bread and butter of the DME racket are those with full insurance. They pretty much know self payers are going elsewhere.

exactly - screw DMEs and their desire to make money! Everyone should just buy online where they're selling at $14 over what they paid from the manufacturer! Let's all hope DMEs stop carrying CPAP equipment. How can they compete with the online folks? Why not just buy online and save? Who needs the services of a DME? Not me! I know everything! Save!

CpapRRT · Post by **CpapRRT** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:37 pm

Guest wrote:
Billy6 wrote:I rented for a month and saw the prices on this site and tried to play the DME off against these prices and they told me to stick it. So, I dumped them. The bread and butter of the DME racket are those with full insurance. They pretty much know self payers are going elsewhere.
exactly - screw DMEs and their desire to make money! Everyone should just buy online where they're selling at $14 over what they paid from the manufacturer! Let's all hope DMEs stop carrying CPAP equipment. How can they compete with the online folks? Why not just buy online and save? Who needs the services of a DME? Not me! I know everything! Save!

As a DME provider, it is hard to compete with an online store.
So here is what we do to try:
We provide only apap's (Mseries auto aflex, the new respironics series one and s8 auto II) to patients, free home visits (as many as you need to feel satisfied), in depth follow up at 48 hours, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and every 6 months, provide you a copy of your compliance, 24 hour on call service, lower than your "national" negotiated rates with insurance, we will appeal all insurance denials, if we get denied, we eat the cost, ordering equipment online with a 3 day delivery promise, otherwise, you don't pay.

We aren't all evil.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:46 pm

you provide the service people need! Please keep it up. That's the way it's intended. When manufacturers raise their prices to online retailers, things will change.

twokatmew · Post by **twokatmew** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:49 pm

CpapRRT, if I manage to dump my DME, will you come to my house in Michigan? You sound like my kind of DME!

CPAP Purchasing on the internet

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