Sticker shock.

[hailstop]

I really want to support my local provider, but at this big of a price difference, I can't.

The CPAP machine I've been using on trial is the Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle 254.

On CPAP.com (and at least one other site) it sells for $589 US.

Here in British Columbia...$2100.



I really don't know what justifies that. I mean, I know that there is a premium for having a brick and mortar store, but that's...insane.

[park_ridge_dave]

Ouch

I feel your pain (almost literally)

Good luck!

Dave

[Mikebov]

Have you looked at secondwindcpap.com? He has machines with less than 500 hours on them, cleaned and tested. I bought a ResMed Elite II with 200 hours on it for $299.00.

[cobra4x4]

I'm also in British Columbia and can agree with the outrageous pricing here. I have found a few different sites ( In the U.S.) including http://www.secondwindcpap.com which have way better pricing than the local providers.

I got lucky and found a virtually brand new machine (only 0.2 hrs use) online (Craigslist) for $200 with humidifier.
As I'm not sure where in BC your located, check Craigslist, Kiijji & Used???.com for deals.

I found a great deal on my brand new Swift FX mask also online from UsedVictoria.com, there are deals & better prices out there just keep looking and in my opinion if these providers are going to rip people off then I'll take my business elsewhere.

btw: My system would have cost over $2500 with humidifier & taxes, granted it would have been a newer fully data capable system. I'm just happy that I started my therapy with the titrated pressure that my respirologist set, as time goes on & finances allow I'll be upgrading when a good deal comes along and keeping my current unit as a backup.

[Julie]

If your insurance will pay for it (and most seem to) then order from Cpap.com (as I have many times). I won't pay Canadian prices, esp. now that the dollar's at par, for something I can get so much cheaper there. They put a sticker or something on the pkge and you don't have to pay duty or brokerage fees.

[cobra4x4]

I'm always amazed in these forums at the number of people who seem to think that most everyone has insurance to cover these medical devices. Yes in Canada we have very good medical coverages however in most provinces medical devices are not covered and to get extended benefits (which cover medical/dental) most people would have to get it through either their spouses work coverage or through their own work plans (if they offer them), a lot of smaller businesses can't afford to get their employees covered through such plans because there aren't enough employees to insure.

If we had insurance it wouldn't be an issue because most insurers pay 80%, however if your paying out of pocket these providers should be charged with extortion for the outrageous prices they charge.

I just wonder how many people don't get the treatment because its very cost prohibitive if your paying out of pocket, some people just aren't aware that these forums exist and that they can get equipment cheaper in the states.

Lots of DMEs won't service or provide support for machines which they didn't sell, so if you buy a machine either used,new or online you will need to find a clinicians manual for it so that you can set it up as you need it (pressures & comfort settings).
When I needed new pillows for my mask the DME asked if I bought it there to which I answered NO, They weren't going to sell to me until I said I just moved here from back east.

[Hose_Head]

I really want to support my local provider, but at this big of a price difference, I can't.

The CPAP machine I've been using on trial is the Fisher & Paykel SleepStyle 254.

On CPAP.com (and at least one other site) it sells for $589 US.

Here in British Columbia...$2100.



I really don't know what justifies that. I mean, I know that there is a premium for having a brick and mortar store, but that's...insane.

Have you checked prices with other local DME's? Two years ago, I purchased an M-Series Auto through Ontario's ADP program. The local DME charged $1585 for it (of which, ADP covered 75%). My guess is that I could have bought that machine directly from the DME (i.e. without ADP assistance) for the same price.

The F&P 254 is a comparable machine to the M Series Auto. Prices in BC should be similar to those in Ontario.

I know, $1585 is still a LOT more than the $589 that you can get it for from a US supplier.

What Canada needs is some competition!

[bigk]

I would think the price difference is not because of competition but rather because of the manufacturers policies particularly on internet sales. We get royally screwed here as well.

[Hose_Head]

I would think the price difference is not because of competition but rather because of the manufacturers policies particularly on internet sales. We get royally screwed here as well.

What Canada needs is price competition. Right now, there is none and that is why you cannot buy a cpap in Canada at a fair and competitive price. As far as I know, only Resmed and Phillips-Respironics have policies directed towards ripping off the end-user. The only thing that explains why DMEs are charging the same outrageous prices for products from all manufacturers (apap from Fisher & Paykell in the OP's example) is that they know that their local competition will not undercut their prices. A little competition in the market place would fix this.

Perhaps Australia has the same problem.

[bigk]

There's plenty of places to buy from here.

[LinkC]

Not to worry....we'll soon have socialized medicine here in the US, and our medical needs will be unaffordable as well.

[MedH]

Not to worry....we'll soon have socialized medicine here in the US, and our medical needs will be unaffordable as well.

the scary thing is that your probably serious. You know what's wrong with that sentence? The words.

I'd put the "socialised" medicine of Australia up against current USA medicine anyday. Sure we have problems, but at least here I'm not scared of being bankrupted if I get sick and have to go to a hospital.

As for CPAP prices in Australia, being only 3 weeks into the treatment it is hard to comment. But I was shocked to see a price difference of $450 between 2 suppliers in my home town, for a resmed S9 auto. Of course, the more expensive supplier has loaned me a CPAP and humidifer and whatever masks I want to try for a 4 week period, all for a non refundable $200 deposit. Damn solialised medicine

[pdean44]

We arent in it to make friends with the medical community as a consumer you go where you get the best price. I hope you get the gear you need soon at a price you can afford.

[LinkC]

at least here I'm not scared of being bankrupted if I get sick and have to go to a hospital.

Nor am I. I have good PRIVATE insurance. And a Long Term Care policy, as well. For the time being...

all for a non refundable $200 deposit. Damn solialised medicine

So, in effect you rented a machine for $200/mo??? My rent-to-own plan lasted 10 mos. The co-pay was $23.xx/mo. So for a bit over $230 I own my machine. i didn't get trial masks for that...they are $15 ea. (co-pay). But then I owned them. And sold the unwanted ones on cpapauctions for more than they cost me. Damn socialized medicine, indeed! (no matter how you spell it! )

But let's not turn this into another Obamacare debate. Let's get back to listening to the Canadians complain. Aussies, too, if you wish...

[echo]

But let's not turn this into another Obamacare debate. Let's get back to listening to the Canadians complain. Aussies, too, if you wish...

How 'bout europeans? My PSG and titration were paid for quite nicely by insurance, I only paid less than 100 euro out of pocket. In fact the whole thing was much cheaper than getting it done in the US, plus I only had to wait 6 weeks for an appointmnet for the initial PSG as opposed to SIX MONTHS in the US at the hospital near my mother's house.

But then getting the actual machine/mask was an ordeal. I had to rent them at 25 euro-cent per day from the hospital, no choice in mask, no data capable machine..(Edit: no "rent to own", it was a life-time rental "deal"). I called the hospital and they gave me some phone number, a (very nice and experienced) DME-like guy came by with masks (all he had were F&P masks that didn't fit), prices to order a FFM were about double the price of the US. I searched online in vain for any other "DME" in the country but couldn't find one. (hospital mafia or insurance mafia, i don't know!). So now i just order everything online.