Why do i need a prescription?

[jambo101]

Time for a new mask and head gear, while there are many sites selling masks it seems those in the USA either dont ship to Canada or require a prescription, why do i need a prescription for a nasal mask?

[LSAT]

Cuz....that's the law. No other reason.

[SleepyToo2]

Been discussed many times on this forum. If CPAP supply companies want to stay in business they have to obey the law, thus the need for a prescription. Good luck with trying to get the law changed!

[49er]

I think jambo101 was asking about the reasoning behind the law requiring a prescription for a nasal mask. My response is that there is none and unfortunately, many laws don't make any sense at all.

49er

[MitzyG]

Regarding the mask...I've learned that you do NOT need a prescription for the parts. You DO need a prescription for the whole mask. So if you're desperate, order the headgear, the nose pillows, the tube etc separately. No prescription needed.

[SuddenlyWornOut45]

That is a bunch of bull regarding there is no reason behind the law. Every law in the US at both federal and state levels was passed by a legislature. When the law was passed, there is always some talk and discussion and research and papers being written that discuss WHY the law needs to be passed. That is called legislative intent. Research the legislative intent and you will ultimately find the reason why a prescription required.

Also, I'd be willing to bet that the "law" requiring a prescription for CPAP gear was really written by a federal and/or state administrative agency. Administrative agencies at both federal and state levels create administrative codes, that administer the nuts and bolts, the nitty gritty specifics, of broad laws the legislatures pass.

There is a reason, probably more than one reason. One I'd be willing to bet is the brick and mortar DME lobby wants prescriptions required for online CPAP gear. Otherwise, they'd be getting bypassed even more than they already are. Brick and mortar DMEs would like to get rid of Internet suppliers of CPAP gear. Which is something I absolutely cant stand. I'd almost like to see it the opposite...the brick and mortar DMEs go away and keep the Internet suppliers. The only reason to keep the brick and mortar DMEs is to help newbies with mask selection and fitting (a critical newbie issue) and sometimes, providing oxygen supplies. I cant really see oxygen supplies being supplied well via Internet. Large amounts of oxygen being shipped via FedEx, UPS...pure high grade oxygen is extremely flammable and even explosive. That needs to stay "brick and mortar." But other than that oxygen thing, they could just about stick it to the brick and mortar DMEs, for all I care. And just get the prescription from your sleep doc, fax it to a reputable Internet CPAP supply store, pick out the machine YOU want and the mask YOU have been advised is probably good for you and have your insurance pay for it all.

Eric

[jfusa]

You can buy replacement parts without a prescription and build a complete mask.

I bought parts to build a complete GoLife for Men Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask (frame, headgear, and pillows) and a complete Wisp Nasal CPAP Mask (frame. headgear, and cushions). I happened to buy pieces a various times off Amazon when I saw very low prices. CPAP.com (and other online DMEs) sell replacement parts.

[jambo101]

Thanks all and a happy New Year eh!

[old old one]

You don't necessarily need a 'sleep doc' to write a presciption. Any doctor, dentist or PA can do it...and if your doctor is good and kind you can specify exactly what you want it to order.

[chunkyfrog]

Usually "controlled substances" are restricted because of the potential to abuse and harm.
I simply can't figure out how to abuse this stuff.
So it makes you feel good, and helps you sleep, and reduces your need for advanced medical care---
Oh, I think I get it now.

[nanwilson]

Time for a new mask and head gear, while there are many sites selling masks it seems those in the USA either dont ship to Canada or require a prescription, why do i need a prescription for a nasal mask?

Jambo, you do not need a prescription to buy a mask from some Canadian internet suppliers like clinicalsleep.com The U.S. suppliers are not permitted to ship Resmed or Phillips Respironics gear to Canada, but you can get any other brand shipped from them. I have bought several masks from clinicalsleep and did not need a prescription, it was only required when a machine is purchased. I also buy from cpap.com and DO need a copy of my prescription to buy from them, the only problem is they are in the U.S. and cannot ship Resmed or Phillips to us........ that is when I use clinicalsleep.com, they can ship any supplier including Resmed and PR to us.
You can also do as others have suggested and buy "parts" that are need to make up the mask that you want.

[wardmiller]

...pure high grade oxygen is extremely flammable and even explosive.
Eric

Simply not true. The atmosphere is about 21% Oxygen and if it were flammable, we'd all have burned up long ago. Oxygen is not a fuel but is necessary for some fuels in order to support combustion. It is an oxidizer and when present in large quantities makes some fuels burn vigorously.

I'm an EMT and handle compressed oxygen daily. I also breath it 24/7. <g>

[archangle]

1) If it didn't require a prescription, insurance would probably refuse to pay for it.

2) If you try CPAP on your own without the guidance of medical professionals and don't get it right, your apnea won't be treated correctly and you'll be harmed by that.

However, the biggest reason is

3) The medical mafia wants you protect their turf and profit margins.

[acidragon]

...pure high grade oxygen is extremely flammable and even explosive.
Eric

Simply not true. The atmosphere is about 21% Oxygen and if it were flammable, we'd all have burned up long ago. Oxygen is not a fuel but is necessary for some fuels in order to support combustion. It is an oxidizer and when present in large quantities makes some fuels burn vigorously.

I'm an EMT and handle compressed oxygen daily. I also breath it 24/7. <g>

I work with 100 percent oxygen in torches to cut metal and if used improperly it can cause an explosion "with an ignition source". The oxygen itself is not flammable but in high concentrations it accelerates what ever you are oxidizing. So basically what the general public needs to know is that it is dangerous, can cause fire and explosions! Maybe you are using compressed air? Which would be 19-21 percent oxygen compressed with nitrogen? If you ever use an oxy-acetylene torch, once the metal begins to cut you can turn off the acetylene and the oxygen will continue to cut the metal. So say if you use the pure oxygen to dust yourself off and theres an ignition source you will go up in flames and or explode because your clothes is the fuel and the oxygen is the accelerator or oxidizer. Same as if you lit your clothes on fire it would burn slowly (using the 19-21 percent oxygen in the air) but add oxygen to the fire and it will burn faster or explode. Remember in school how we were taught to snuff out flames, stop drop and roll... lower oxygen levels lower fire, higher oxygen levels = bad day. Also breathing in just pure oxygen long enough will kill you not to be confused with pure oxygen mixing with the air which in turn will dilute the concentration.

[-tim]

...pure high grade oxygen is extremely flammable and even explosive.
Eric

Simply not true. The atmosphere is about 21% Oxygen and if it were flammable, we'd all have burned up long ago. Oxygen is not a fuel but is necessary for some fuels in order to support combustion. It is an oxidizer and when present in large quantities makes some fuels burn vigorously.

I'm an EMT and handle compressed oxygen daily. I also breath it 24/7. <g>

A friend was involved with the Apollo 1 life support systems and would disagree about the flammability issues.

I've been trained on using O2 in Hyperbaric chambers. Oxygen at high concentrations will cause all sorts of things to burn that won't burn at 21%.

I've noticed a huge difference in the number of prescriptions for Oxygen in the USA compared to Australia.

As far as the comments about the medical mafia, the AMA and its variants are the most powerful worker unions in the world.