CPAPtalk.com

"Cautions
__Federal (USA) law restricts this device to by or on the order of a physician"

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Why do people continue with the myth that PAP requires a PRESCRIPTION.

DME are not licensed to dispense Rx- only to fill an ORDER!!

There is a clear difference between and order and a Rx.
But his will not prevent the continuing postings about RX needed.

A doc prescribes drugs and ORDERS tests, x-rays, lab tests..........

Big difference
Bet this is ignored

With all due respect, the point is that xPAP related devices are restricted by Federal law to the sale or use by or on the order of a physician. As you correctly pointed out, DMEs, which are themselves licensed or otherwise regulated in most states, are required to DISPENSE the equipment only on the order of a physician. The question is NOT whether DMEs can dispense prescriptions. They simply cannot dispense the EQUIPMENT absent the order of a physician without violating Federal law, and the law in most states.

Chuck

tomjax wrote: Why do people continue with the myth that PAP requires a PRESCRIPTION.

DME are not licensed to dispense Rx- only to fill an ORDER!!

There is a clear difference between and order and a Rx.
But his will not prevent the continuing postings about RX needed.

A doc prescribes drugs and ORDERS tests, x-rays, lab tests..........

Big difference
Bet this is ignored

That would be because it is not a myth.

For purposes of our discussions here, the term 'order' and the term 'prescription' are ostensibly interchangeable.

Yes you COULD have an 'order' that is handwritten on a coctail napkin if you want. However, since it has to have the physcians name, the date, the patients name and the specific item that is being prescribed, you might as well go ahead and have it written down on a prescription form since it's got all the doctor information pre-printed. Heck it might even have the item being ordered pre-printed as well.
And when you go back for the CMN you are going to have to have everything redone anyways so it wouldn't matter if it was on a coctail napkin.
It's also important to note that in 99% of the cases we are talking about a situation where Insurance is going to be involved which is where a lot of the documentation requirements come in. Regardless of insurance though, you still have to have an order/prescription in order to provide anything that is marked as 'Sale by or on the order of a physician'. You don't get to just ignore that little requirement!

mattman

Who, in their right mind, would want to wear this damned stuff if they didn't HAVE to, anyway???
Somehow I doubt that it'll ever become a new "fashion trend".....

I kinda, hafta, sorta agree with that.

"Cautions
__Federal (USA) law restricts this device to by or on the order of a physician"

Look out Johnny, I guess all the Internet suppliers and all of us that have purchased a mask, filter or hose, etc without a Rx will all be headed to Federal Prison. Wonder it they provide Resmed equipment for inmates?

I think by "device" they mean the CPAP machine itself. It's my understanding that you don't need a physician's order/prescription/whatever to get masks, tubing, etc.

[quote="Anonymous"]Resmed's attempt to destroy cpap internet retailing is in full swing. What's funny is they claim they're doing this because they're concerned about patients being compliant and sticking with therapy. But, the compliance rate among patients of brick and mortar DMEs is abysmal. By comparison, what do you suppose the compliance rate is among patients who use cpap.com and read cpaptalk? My guess is it is significantly higher. I wish there was some way to prove that. Of course, even if we proved it, Resmed would still continue their efforts to eliminate internet retailing. They'd just have to come up with a better story for their reasoning behind it.

To all, My appologies for my above post

- I know, I know some are asking why I didn't tell this anon %^$#@&%(n poster what I really thought

Cheers

DSM

I agree with the Guest who wrote:

Guest wrote:Resmed's attempt to destroy cpap internet retailing is in full swing. What's funny is they claim they're doing this because they're concerned about patients being compliant and sticking with therapy. But, the compliance rate among patients of brick and mortar DMEs is abysmal. By comparison, what do you suppose the compliance rate is among patients who use cpap.com and read cpaptalk? My guess is it is significantly higher. I wish there was some way to prove that. Of course, even if we proved it, Resmed would still continue their efforts to eliminate internet retailing. They'd just have to come up with a better story for their reasoning behind it.

I also agree with Bill Bolton:

billbolton wrote:Basically, the Internet sales area is a tiny fraction of the market for both Respironics and Resmed (who between them hold 80% of the North American maket, with that share split about 50/50), so like it or not, neither is going to be much impacted by what happens regarding sales volumes through the Internet...... unless there is a massive structural change in US Healthcare delivery.

Internet sales being such a small fraction compared to the amount of business they do with brick and mortar DMEs is what makes it especially ironic -- and sad -- that resmed chose to force internet dealers to raise the internet prices for resmed products. The internet is the most economical place for the uninsured to buy cpap equipment. Since the internet accounts for so little of resmed's sales, there was no good reason for resmed to do what it did. imho.

RG

"Resmed's attempt to destroy cpap internet retailing is in full swing."

1 you agree with this ?

and

2 you support an anon poster making such remarks ?

I really find the 1st difficult to accept as factual and the 2nd as morally supportable.

Political anon postings are cowardly - there is no simpler way to put it ?

Cheers

DSM

Guest - dsm wrote:RG

"Resmed's attempt to destroy cpap internet retailing is in full swing."

1 you agree with this ?

Yes, I agree with that comment.

Guest - dsm wrote: and

2 you support an anon poster making such remarks ?

I read posts for their content. I'm not sure what you mean by "support" an anon poster. I agreed with his/her comments. I do support the fact that Guests are welcome to post their opinions on this board -- just like you and I and everyone else.

RG

I guess these are issues where we will always differ.

I have no trouble signing my statements & positions.

Cheers

DSM

#2 I can't help adding that it does seem that in fact you don't mind anons posting opinions that are anti Resmed - sorry but that just stares me in the face

dsm wrote:#2 I can't help adding that it does seem that in fact you don't mind anons posting opinions that are anti Resmed - sorry but that just stares me in the face

Well, I'm sorry to see you think that way, Doug.

If you'll go to the trouble to think back, or better yet do a search, to topics that used to come up discussing whether Guests should be allowed to post at all on this board, I always stated openly and consistently that I was in favor of allowing Guests to post. Always. Long, long before resmed pulled their internet pricing stunt.

Yes thats true

Cheers

D

DSM,

I appreciate that you provide an alternative viewpoint. Resmed is a good company that produces great products. However, it seems rather black and white, at least to me, that they are making an effort to squash internet sales. It is a business decision and I am not sure it is not in their best interest to do so, but surely you can see why people that want options, especially inexpensive equipment over the internet, would be unhappy with that decision. I have read lots of your posts, but have never really understood why you take issue with those who are offended by Resmed's choice. I certainly am not trying to open old wounds or start a flaming war, but would like to be informed as possible. If you prefer to PM me that would be fine.

Todd (who hopes I am logged in, 'cause if this comes from "guest", yikes )

rested gal wrote: The internet is the most economical place for the uninsured to buy cpap equipment. Since the internet accounts for so little of resmed's sales, there was no good reason for resmed to do what it did. imho.

I couldn't agree more. As a self-payer, I will not buy products from Resmed (or any other manufacturer) when there are equivalent products available at significantly lower cost.