Prescription for CPAP?

[turbosnore]

Hi.
Is prescription or some other paper still needed in US to buy a CPAP?
How about European countries?

[Julie]

Prescriptions are needed by legitimate dealers (DMEs), but you may be able to find something on Craig's List (not e-bay) from a private seller, though it's buyer beware of course... there are also people who sell through the forum, but it's best to check that they're not total newbies and have a track record of good transactions here.

What happens in Europe would depend on individual countries, and you'll need to research that yourself.

[turbosnore]

Thanks, Julie. So officially in US: no prescription - no CPAP.
I was also hoping for responses of Europeans here. I'm a Finn myself, and I know there are many other Europeans here too.

[palerider]

Thanks, Julie. So officially in US: no prescription - no CPAP.
I was also hoping for responses of Europeans here. I'm a Finn myself, and I know there are many other Europeans here too.

what does it matter? what are you trying to find out? if you're asking "how can I get a machine" why don't you just ask that? there are forum members who often have machines for sale, as well as companies that sell used machines, and ship internationally.

[turbosnore]

I'm trying to find out whether CPAPs can be 'officially' bought without prescription by my fellow Finns on a Finnish CPAP-site.

I already have a machine (S8 Autoset) that will probably be changed to a new one (by my DME).
I understand that from Australia you can buy one without prescription, but it would be easier for many if they could buy a
machine from US or Europe.

[palerider]

it would be easier for many if they could buy a machine from US....

you mean, like I just said you can?

[turbosnore]

it would be easier for many if they could buy a machine from US....

you mean, like I just said you can?

Officially. That is: from a company. The paperwork with customs, IRS and such is too complicated for many of them.
The companies usually handle those. Then there is a possibility of reclamation if something went wrong.
Not even all companies deliver in foreign countries.

[palerider]

it would be easier for many if they could buy a machine from US....

you mean, like I just said you can?

Officially. That is: from a company. The paperwork with customs, IRS and such is too complicated for many of them.
The companies usually handle those. Then there is a possibility of reclamation if something went wrong.
Not even all companies deliver in foreign countries.

secondwindcpap.com does. and multiple members have shipped machines overseas.

[Krelvin]

Officially. That is: from a company. The paperwork with customs, IRS and such is too complicated for many of them.

What does the IRS have to do with shipping something overseas?

There are several companies you can work with and customs paperwork is not that hard.

Then there is a possibility of reclamation if something went wrong.

That would be a problem with anything you buy overseas and the issues would be the same.

Not even all companies deliver in foreign countries.

That is why you would deal with the ones that do.

[turbosnore]

Looks like secondwind also requires a doctor's permission.

We have to pay VAT for imported stuff. And it's usually bigger than duty.

[Krelvin]

Looks like secondwind also requires a doctor's permission.

You have not called them, have you? They are great to work with and can make suggestions.

We have to pay VAT for imported stuff. And it's usually bigger than duty.

And that is unusual? True for many things you buy out of country. US doesn't do VAT.

[turbosnore]

Well, I don't need a machine. It's all about helping people on a Finnish apnea forum.

[Krelvin]

Well, I don't need a machine. It's all about helping people on a Finnish apnea forum.

Your original post did not make that clear. Might have gotten different answers if you had posted what you just did.

Most people posting what you did ARE looking for a machine for themselves.

[yaconsult]

Also, you might note that the prices in the U.S. are usually considerably lower than in other countries like Australia. Those folks show up here complaining how much more the machines cost in their own countries.

You could try checking with secondwindcpap.com and our sponsor, cpap.com, and ask them what their requirements are for shipping to other countries. Any official distributor will be likely to charge the inflated list prices.

It's often not very difficult to get a prescription - even dentists can write them. It's not like they are going to be calling doctors in foreign countries and expecting them to speak in English.

[turbosnore]

I understand cpap.com still doesn't deliver to foreign countries (or did it deliver to Canada?).
That's why I ordered my smart card elsewhere. Well, that was quite some years back...

I might bend the rules a bit, but I'm not sure if I should publicly advise people to do so.
And I guess very few doctors would accept that kind of ideas. If some doctor has rejected the machine,
that's usually reason enough not to sign any permissions.
(The doctor's union is VERY strong in Finland. It decides about the doctors' licenses.)