Canada - CPAP

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 10:55 pm

From the Streaming CPAP and Sleep Apnea News:
http://calsun.canoe.ca/News/Alberta/200 ... 2-sun.html

A sleep doctor in Canada was talking about how there was no CPAP machine coverage in many cases and about the sad situation of many people not being able to afford treatment:

"The machines can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $2,500"

At the present exchange rate, $1,000 Canadian = $858 U.S. dollars.

The lowest machine price the doctor mentioned is almost TRIPLE the cost of a simple cpap machine at online cpap supply stores in the U.S. DME markups are a problem in any country, it seems.

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 11:15 pm

rested gal.......I'm not sure about 'regular' med. insurance here in B.C, but as I am a disabled person, I have an extended medical provided by the provincal government. They have covered the cost of my mask, plus 3 months rental on the machine (this to see if I able to be compliant). They will cover the cost of my machine.....cpap or even bi-pap.....what ever it turns out that I will need. RT said he can get them to cover heated humidifier too.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 12:18 am

Some provinces do cover some of the OSA treatment costs and that was mentioned in the article. Unfortunately only 3 out of 10 provinces help out with costs associated with OSA. Alberta is filthy rich in oil revenue and is the richest province in all of Canada. I am really surprised that they don't cover some of this but old Ralphy boy Klein (provincial premier of Alberta) wants to see the people of that province pay for their medical treatment just as they do in the states. He's mentioned his retirement date. Too bad it is still well over a year away.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 9:21 am

Many Americans do not understand how the health system works in Canada. Most people who are working have additional coverage through their employer, or their spouse's employer that covers medicine and provides health insurance when I am in the U.S. We are not assigned a doctor, we can choose what doctor or specialist we want to go to. In this area, we actually have a greater choice, than those Americans who use a HMO or many insurance companies. There is a shortage of General Practitioners that is causing a big problem in getting a family doctor for people. We also have the nursing shortage that you have. Alberta does cover apnea treatment.

When I was visiting my father who lives in Ohio, I had CPAP.COM send me an AutoSpirit and mask. I has absolutely no trouble getting reimbursed for my purchase, when I got back to Canada and provided the receipts for my purchase and my prescription. When I was in Ohio I checked on the price of my equipment from a local DME, and it was the identical price in U.S. dollars, as it was here in Calgary in Canadian dollars. I must say that shocked me!

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 11:52 am

Darth.......If only he'd take Gordie with him when he does retire! ( premier of B.C.)

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:03 pm

RG (and others),

Don't know if you noticed the links at the bottom of that article that lead to some more related articles (with some more links to other related articles) that are pretty good, too.
It's good to see that this "affliction" is getting some much-needed press coverage.
Thanks for posting that link.

Thanks again,

Den

Bellcrest · Post by **Bellcrest** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 5:15 am

Thanks for bringing this up Rested Gal.

Sad but true. I live in Ontario where we have OHIP which pays for 'basic' heath care, very basic. The ADP (assisted devices program) pays $780 towards the first purchase of CPAP. My bill was
$1040 (she gave me the APAP at same price as CPAP after making me go back to the Dr for prescription for same.
They charged me extra $140 for Ultra Mirage FF mask (which doesn't work well for me) because it was an 'upgrade'. So taking off the $780 that was paid by ADP and adding the 'upgrade' my cost out of pocket was $400 which my insurance (Ontario Blue Cross would not cover because CPAP is "only air" (I am still fighting this one.)

Any new masks must be paid for out of pocket. I just tried to purchase mask from cpap.com..... read about my problem here
viewtopic.php?t=8069

It would appear the Canadians now must pay inflated prices for any resmed mask. I also just found out that to go for titration study, one must bring their own mask and hose.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, mirage, hose, cpap.com, Titration, CPAP, Prescription, APAP

Canada - CPAP

Canada - CPAP

high costs for cpap