Newly diagnosed - buy machine in Canada or the US?

Howdy all;

Nice to meetchya - found out about this forum from another place I frequent (http://ask.metafilter.com/194172/Should ... -or-the-US).

My questions are;

- "Is there any reason I should pay a premium to buy a machine in Canada, versus in the US?"
- "Should I buy a used machine?"
- "Do you recomend a single machine or one for home and one for travel?"

Ultimately cost is not a problem - but it truly bugs me to pay more for the exact same machine, just because I am a few hundred kilometers north - especially when the dollar is at par...

Welcome your thoughts.

First of all, let me say welcome to cpaptalk. You've come to the right place. Here, you'll find answers to all of your questions. A wealth of knowledge and support is now at your fingertips.

If you are in Ontario, buy your equipment through the OHIP assistive devices program. They will pay for a huge chunk of your costs.

If you are insured, then buy locally from a brick and mortar store (DME). Their services for training, mask fitting and mask trials can be of assistance to a newbie. Once you get settled into using cpap, then buy replacements by mail order and save your money.

If not in Ontario and not insured, you'll need to decide whether or not the brick and mortar store services are worth it to you. Some say that the best advice is to pay the high initial bill, just to get the assistance.

To buy mail-order, you'll need a copy of your prescription. You should get a copy of it, anyway.

As a starting point, check out our host for this site, cpap.com. There, you can see the range of equipment that's available and prices. They are great to deal with, ship quickly, and prices are competitive (they will price match). Typical shipping charges to Canada are about $17 (no free shipping to Canada) and they avoid the couriers that charge exhorbitant brokerage fees. Just remember that you cannot buy any Resmed products from a USA supplier (they are forbidden by Resmed from shipping to you). Also, unless you know exactly what mask will work for you, buy their mask insurance.

Clinicalsleep.com in Vancouver is a Canadian mail-order supplier. Their prices are often price competitive with the USA mail order suppliers and they can ship Resmed products to you.

READ READ READ the threads and advice for newbies that can be found on this board. Especially look for information on equipment (e.g. fully data-compliant cpap).

Best of luck. Please stick around.

It all depends on where you are and who you buy from. Brick and mortar DME's charge almost double the online price no matter where you are. The logic is that they help you with set up and mask fitting and give support. That is the theory - reality is that you spend 20 minutes filling out forms and 10 minutes being run over with info and not really fitting the mask. If you want more support you need to call and make an appointment so someone who doesn't have a clue can give you the wrong information.

The most important thing in this therapy is to have a totally data capable machine - preferably and auto that will allow you to find your own real settings, one that shows AHI, leak rates and other interesting stuff on easily available software. The other thing is the mask fit. I liken it to buying shoes for a marathon. The mask must fit as well as those shoes so why does a DME just hold one up to your face? They act differently under pressure, the fit is different. It is like holding the sole of your $300 shoe up to your foot and expecting to run 25 miles in it the next day.

I agree with Hose_head ... In ontario ADP pays around 75% of hardware costs. If not using them shop on line to save $$$$ and use this board to help with info. Be real sure to get a fully data capable machine like the Resmed S9 series, for example. There are links on here for software to read the "data card"

There's a few online stores popping up in Canada. As I was looking into them, I noticed that prices do compete with the America stores. I tested discountCPAP out with a filter purchase. Also after I requested a quote they sent me a coupon code for 10% off. discount10 if anyone wants to try it for themselves? As soon as my doc faxes me my prescrip, I'm going to order a new machine from em.

For those in Canada go to clinicalsleep.com. They are in Vancouver and will ship anywhere in Canada, prices are pretty much the same as U.S.. They will also sell Resmed, if you don't see what you want on the web site, just ask and they will give you a quote. Have purchased a Resmed mask and lots of supplies from them. They have never charged me shipping fees.

Good morning all,

It can be reallllly scary when you are first diagnosed and it's so very important that you get the right people to guide you with your apnea needs. It's so important that you get knowledgeable and caring people who totally understand what's going on with you...physically and mentally.

The group that helped me relax about having apnea and feel soooo much better in my life were the therapists and staff at Sleeptech Home Care Services in Surrey, BC Canada.

I strongly suggest Sleeptech for all your your sleep apnea needs includling CPAP. I have been a patient of Sleeptech for nine years and the care you receive is phenomenal!!! The therapists are extremely knowledgeable and caring. Any questions or concerns that you may have, they will help you to your upmost satisfaction.

They have an extremely good website ( a ton of info).... go to http://www.sleeptech.ca and get to know them...realllly good people!! I've noticed that the website is always updating with current information.

Also, if you go to http://www.sleepapneastore, you can get all the supplies you may need. They have four locations in the Lower Mainland...Abbotsford, New Westminster, Surrey, and Vancouver.

They will ship ANYWHERE in Canada.

They can't publish their pricing on the internet because of the manufacturers' requirements to be a dealer but give them a call or email them and they will give you pricing on any product you are looking for.

The phone numbers are as follows:

Outside Vancouver Toll-free phone: 1-877-597-5030
In the Vancouver Area: 604-576-9400 (Surrey branch)

Please give them a call or email them...you will be so pleased at how well you are cared for by these fabulous people.

Can you tell I'm a lifetime fan?!? LOL

Take care and all the very best...


Lynda