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Okie bipap wrote:If CPAP machines were over the counter items, insurance and medicare would no longer cover them.

The prices would fall, quality and innovation would improve, a robust resale market would develop and more people would treat their condition.

I doubt manufacturers would be willing to sell your type of machine OTC.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Okie bipap wrote:If CPAP machines were over the counter items, insurance and medicare would no longer cover them.

The prices would fall, quality and innovation would improve, a robust resale market would develop and more people would treat their condition.

I'm not sure about that. But there are other things that have both OTC and Prescription versions - like ibuprofen- 200mg pills OTC, 800mg pills script. Literally no difference between an 800mg pill and 4 200mg pills.

So if CPAP vendors offered Auto CPAP machines with appropriate user software and interface - seems like the FDA might be able to approve it... I think the motivation would have to come from the vendor side though, rather than the users'. This is mostly a convenience issue for people who can't afford sleep tests and doctors, I don't think it would result in enough additional sales for affect pricing or product development.

In some locations (ex: Lincoln, NE), even foam neck braces are not sold retail without a prescription.
Six dollars (online) vs $36 locally? You can NOT convince me that GREED is not a factor.

wrote:In some locations (ex: Lincoln, NE), even foam neck braces are not sold retail without a prescription.
Six dollars (online) vs $36 locally?

A nugget of evidence of what is already known - markets work, and they work better when not restrained by government bureaucrats.