Why is a prescription required?

[kwhenrykerr]

Why is a prescription required?

Let us look at when and where a prescription is not required.

What differences do we see ?

Quality, Cost ?

[FrankNichols]

I don't know that a prescription does much for quality - it certainly raises the price. There are excellent quality medical devices, medications, etc. that do not require a prescription. For the first thing that comes to mind is Aspirin.

[DeepBreathing]

Why is a prescription required?

Let us look at when and where a prescription is not required.

What differences do we see ?

Quality, Cost ?

Well here in Oz a prescription is not required for xPAP devices. Quality is the same - the Resmeds are made here after all. But cost of the hardware is totally over the top - more than double what you pay in the States. Market forces? Prescription? Just a typical example of capitalism charging what the market will bear? Who knows? I do know that there are a lot of Chinese machines turning up in our market these days. So cost goes up, quality goes down - market forces? Prescription? Who knows?

[kwhenrykerr]

Are the Chinese machines any good ?

What are the cost ? 1/10th. the local manufacture ?

[Sleeprider]

The biggest brand in Chinese machines is Resmart. You can search the brand and see prices are much less expensive compared to Resmed and Respironics, but keep in mind every dollar in savings goes into the DME bottom line. They are paid the same if they issue a Remstar, or a Resmart, with a difference of about $800 retail. The Resmart macines seem to work okay, although you are stuk with their inferior software to judge the efficacy. So the Chinese machines can potentially save you (or your DME) up to 2/3 the cost of the major brands. Insurance pays the same amount regardless of brand. I bet I know what the DME want's to sell you.

[Cbarrios]

Before going into this without a sleep study I read, read, and read some more until I felt comfortable in buying my own machine. I was quoted 1,000 dollars by a local medical company. I was able to buy the same machine with mask for 505 dollars total, brand new in a sealed box.

[HGMonaro]

I've seen some advertised for AUD$875 where a name brand that does the same thing (by the specs) costs around AUD$2000 (seem to be on special at the moment.. usually $2400!). I bought an older model for AUD$1500. I got $500 back on private health insurance (as would have for any of them)