obtaining a CPAP machine without a prescription

background
i've suffered from sleep apnea (as well as deviated septum] my entire life
i had surgery to correct both
i'm doing better, but would like to get back to how i used to function
due to the ravages of my previously undiagnosed situation, i'm self insured and am still replaying the debt i had to go into in order to have the surgery done
to obtain a CPAP i've been told that i'd have to undergo another sleep study and run up more debt (note: i previously had a sleep study done, but, of course, a new one is supposed to be done since i've had the surgery)

questions i have
is there a way to obtain a CPAP machine without a prescription?

if so, how can this be done?

what, if any, web sites should be visited?

also, which equipment uses the least annoying mask/delivery of air via the nose?

any help and/or constructive suggestions would be much appreciated

thanks

I would try and explain your situation to your doctor and ask if he could give you an rx for an auto cpap based of your previous sleep study. If that doesn't work you can always find Used Cpap's on Craigs list . Most cpaps on there people don't ask for rx and will sell to you, as long as they don't work for a DME. Also do your research on what ever machine you choose to buy , so you get a good current data capable model.

Good Luck

You say you already had a sleep study. Did your doctor write you a prescription for CPAP after that? If so, you can use it to buy one online. If you don't have a copy of it, ask the office staff at your doctor's office to provide you with a copy of it.

I like the suggestion of approaching your doctor with the auto machine to do basically a "home study." And the craigslist.com idea is right on target. One thing you can do is look at craigslist.com in other cities if you don't find a CPAP machine near you. You may be able to buy one anywhere in the country, so go on a hunt. The biggest problems with craigslist.com are that people don't know what they have, and they ask too much money.

Good luck.

thank you both

i'll follow up on your suggestions

There was a site mentioned somewhere that sells refurbished/used machines without a prescription.

I forget it at the moment, but I skimmed it once....and the only machine that interested me was maybe another of the same/similar as backup...and I'm not ready to make that kind of out of pocket investment.

I'm either looking for a backup machine or a travel machine. Perhaps I'll know better after I take my first trip later this month....

Maybe next time I see my doctor, I'll try asking him if he would write me an extra script to get a second machine.....

The Dreamer.

Dreamer, was that site http://www.secondwindcpap.com?

Ya, that's it.

I was looking at that site last night, thinking about finding something to "get me by" until I can get my prescription. I just cant spend alot right now so I am searching different avenues.

If you can obtain a prescription from your doc, try http://www.cpapauction.com. Before you purchase a machine, make sure you know what you're looking for. I recommend an Auto to help you self-titrate.

There is a wealth of information at the links above "New Users" and "Our Wisdom".

There are some great links here:

viewtopic.php?t=17435#p148179

This is a MUST-SEE before you select a machine:

viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307[/color]168

Here’s a link to Rested Gal's story, it should provide some useful information and a wealth of inspiration! She's an amazing lady!

viewtopic.php?p=5977#5977

Good luck! You'll find tons of advice and support here!

CPAP without a prescription is pretty easy...

I purchased my first machine from craigslist.com and my second was from seconwindcpap.com. I purchased the first without doing a lot of research, it wasn't an autopap and wasn't data capable, but It was still enough for me to experience what a good night's sleep feels like. I was very happy with both.. The machine from secondwindcpap was clean, reasonably priced, and shipped quickly. When I buy my next one; hopefully not for a while... I'll buy it new from sell.com or used from secondwindcpap.com. Cpapauction and Cpap.com won't sell you a machine without a prescription, but you can buy everything else from them..

I think I am missing something here. First Brian asks about purchasing a machine without a script, then he mentions asking his doc for a second script. Why do that? If you have one script that is all you need. Buy from CPAP.com. The same script is good again.

I don't see it....he's saying that he needs another sleep study to get a script, and he doesn't have the money to get another sleep study right now.

The Dreamer.

snoregirl wrote:I think I am missing something here. First Brian asks about purchasing a machine without a script, then he mentions asking his doc for a second script. Why do that? If you have one script that is all you need. Buy from CPAP.com. The same script is good again.

I think what you are missing is that life rarely happens perfectly. The same prescription should be good still, but what if his doctor refuses to give him a copy? Oh, sure, he has a right to it, but for a lot of reasons, he may just opt to get a machine without a prescription. It may be easier or more desirable than dealing with the hassle of getting a copy of his original.

What I did I went to the Doc ENT Doc and asked him to write me down a prescription for Apap along with his address ...then they've had shipped and I'll be getting it within 2 days...I think they need this prescription just for the sake of formality since it is required by the federal law.

Yes, you read that right, Barker Sleep Center REQUIRED me to get my machine thru her office, when I asked for an rx to get it elsewhere she refused and gave a banquet of BS excuses....one being "i cant do that as I would be liable if you purchased it elsewhere" and "who will take care of your machine if you get it elsewhere?" when I asked "what do you mean take care of it, all you do here is check my compliance and leakage and whatever charge me for the office visit and you can do that nomatter where the machine comes from" she stated quite clearly that she will NOT do that if I don't use her machine. I pointed out that I would purchase the same make and model machine and the only difference would be that it didnt come from her office. She then told me "i will not provide your care then and if you want to do that then you should get your rx from your gp" well of course I went to my gp who said "i don't specialize in sleep or reading the study-I cant write you an rx for the machine" you have to get that from her.
Here's a fine example of what is wrong with healthcare in the USA...its driven by greed. Check this out.
I use a resmed elite II, her office charged me $375 for the humidifer, $55 for the hose, and $1400 for the machine (at $140 per month lease for ten months then its mine) & NONE of this was disclosed to me when she sent me home with the machine the morning after my sleep study. Upon learning this, I asked if I paid cash up front for the machine if it would be less than the $1400, she said no. Now when ya buy the machine elsewhere-the package INCLUDES the humidifier and hose and machine and I got it brand NEW for $550 and returned her machine. Of course this means she will not do my follow ups or read the efficiency of my machine cuz shame on me for not lining HER pocket. My dad had a sleep study with her the day after I did, because he is on medicare she sent him to a Medical supply co who btw charges medicare the monthly lease fee but NO ADDITIONAL charges of $375 for the humidifier or $55 hose that goes with the machine-it was all included just as it should be for the price they are charging!