Paying out of pocket for new machine -- what Rx for most flexibility?

[Jerzasnore]

Currently a Airsense 10 Autoset # 37207 listed on Amazon for $478...better hurry.

Wow... I just paid 300$ MORE for mine.

[NotADr]

FYI, on Amazon there is an Airsense 10 Autoset for $455 described as BRAND NEW Air Sense 10 Auto Set Machine with Humid Air Heated Humidifier, BedSide Organizer, carry case, power supply (works in any country of the world), standard hose. 2-years of complete in-house warranty. Units are shipped from USA. Any and all customs fees are buyer's responsibility.

Also a Philips Dreamstation auto DSX500T11 for $369.  Either machine could be obtained immediately without having your prescription in hand.

Either of the above options will cost you less, and include a warranty.  Using one of the online suppliers in our supplier list will get you better service and assistance if needed, but at significantly higher price.  Good luck with the new machine.

Currently a Airsense 10 Autoset # 37207 listed on Amazon for $478...better hurry.

That's exactly where I snagged one -- I was too late for $455 but was able to get one for $475.  Just wondering, though, how can they sell them in the US without a script?

[Sleeprider]

It's probably best not to question the back-door sales of these machines. Many people need them for lack of insurance or for that matter, access to sleep specialists. In theory, a CPAP could be prescribed by any medical professional on the basis of an individuals history and symptoms. Reality is that it has become a huge source of making money for sleep clinics, DMEs and everyone in the supply chain. The cost of these machines through unconventional channels is a glimpse at just how much is made on a single machine dispensed at 3-4 times that price, and the several thousand dollar cost of each sleep study. It's not an accident that people already diagnosed and using CPAP end up "needing" more sleep studies, updated prescriptions etc. Instead of providing good auto machines with data, doctors and DMEs keep their patients uninformed, with dumb machines that leave no option other than professional services to obtain and maintain good results.

This is the essence of the "medical mafia" we refer to. It is predominated by greed and malfeasance and feeds on a system that requires prescription for access. There are some really good doctors, but relatively few of them actually take the title of "sleep specialist". You can often get better advise on a forum...something wrong about that.

The real answer to your question is, the medical equipment manufacturers use a distribution chain to supply DMEs, and that is where the "leak" occurs, is from the wholesale level. DMEs and manufacturers work hard to protect their inflated price point by enforcing minimum advertised pricing and enforcement of the FDA prescription requirement. As a result, you will see the machines and masks pulled from Amazon and Ebay from time to time as threats are received. Amazon gets around it because they don't sell these, but they don't enforce the law on their third party sellers. Part of the reason is that everyone is getting what they want and the only ones being hurt are special interests.

[I_will_never_sleep_again]

I got a resmed10 autoset from Amazon, About a year ago, no script. Mine wound up costing just a little over $600. It came with carry case, and everything sealed
in package just like the resmed10 cpap I got from DME 2 years ago for a lot more $$$. It said it was new, and as far as I could tell it was unused, sealed, and new in box. They say for warranty issues to contact Resmed. I wonder if Resmed would honor the warranty if needed, but haven't had any problems. I saved $250 plus tax.

[stanleydean]

It's probably best not to question the back-door sales of these machines.  Many people need them for lack of insurance or for that matter, access to sleep specialists.  In theory, a CPAP could be prescribed by any medical professional on the basis of an individuals history and symptoms. Reality is that it has become a huge source of making money for sleep clinics, DMEs and everyone in the supply chain.  The cost of these machines through unconventional channels is a glimpse at just how much is made on a single machine dispensed at 3-4 times that price, and the several thousand dollar cost of each sleep study.  It's not an accident that people already diagnosed and using CPAP end up "needing" more sleep studies, updated prescriptions etc.  Instead of providing good auto machines with data, doctors and DMEs keep their patients uninformed, with dumb machines that leave no option other than professional services to obtain and maintain good results.

This is the essence of the "medical mafia" we refer to.  It is predominated by greed and malfeasance and feeds on a system that requires prescription for access.  There are some really good doctors, but relatively few of them actually take the title of "sleep specialist".  You can often get better advise on a forum...something wrong about that.

The real answer to your question is, the medical equipment manufacturers use a distribution chain to supply DMEs, and that is where the "leak" occurs, is from the wholesale level.  DMEs and manufacturers work hard to protect their inflated price point by enforcing minimum advertised pricing and enforcement of the FDA prescription requirement. As a result, you will see the machines and masks pulled from Amazon and Ebay from time to time as threats are received.  Amazon gets around it because they don't sell these, but they don't enforce the law on their third party sellers.  Part of the reason is that everyone is getting what they want and the only ones being hurt are special interests.

The post quoted above covers the waterfront. After discussing this issue with my sleep doctor and satisfying him that my request had merit and that I have a certail level of understanding he readily provided a Rx that covered an APAP set at 14/8. The nurse even provided me with information on a local and locally owned company that operates on a cash basis (no insurance) and apparently can provide most anything you need for treatment. I ended up buying my Auto BiPap on line from a well known national company. Surprisingly, I was not asked for a Rx but would advise having one in hand before ordering just in case although, at any given time you could find an on-line source that would not ask for a Rx.

Stan

Stan