After getting my prescription, my doc provided me with a list of places to call regarding prices of equipment.  My sister-in-law is a doctor, and had referred me to a friend of hers, who told her that I shouldn't waste my time looking for machines online, because he could Definately beat the prices.  Thankfully, I didn't trust his message, and looked online anyway, trying to prepare myself for the "sticker shock".  Little did I know how bad it was going to be.  I only called 7 out of the 18 places on the list, the last 5 were just for sport since I couldn't believe the high cost, before I gave up and got back online.
I wound up buying my machine from cpapsupplyusa.
I bought a goodnight420g with heated humidifier for less than $350.
The machine including the humidifier is smaller than a shoebox and very very quiet, when connected to the mask and your head.  I couldn't be more pleased.

I would advise the first time purchaser to go ahead and buy the "insurance" that they offer, regarding masks.  I opted not to during my purchase.  I got a respironics comfort select mask with headgear, rather cheaply, but I have to admit that I'm not completely satisfied.  I'm getting an irritation on the bridge of my nose, and wish I had bought a more comfortable mask.
Here is where the insurance comes in.  You have 30 days within which to return the product, for a full refund.  The insurance isn't cheap, roughly $20 compared to the $59 for the mask and headgear.  But when faced with a not so comfortable mask and the possibility of buying another, I regret 2 things:  not reading more forums, and not getting the insurance.

[  quote="Jsimon63"]I know the last post was a year old, but need to bring this subject back up. My  Sleeplab doctor had me do a new sleep study when I started nodding off driving, and then sent me to the in house respitory care "store". They charged the insurance $2200 for a ResMed S8 Elite withheated humidity, which I had to pay 50% of. Well because of some very unproffessional mistakes, I found another doctor. I found a great Neuroscience doc who found my complex apnea with narcolepsy on the side! I told him that I just got a new machine and told him how much I spent. He almost lost it! The snuckered me and my insurance company! I found the same machine on the net for as little as $590 w/o humidity and less then $800 with. I printed out several websites pages with prices and raised the dead with the respitory care place, sent copies to them and my insurance company. They refund me my money and are taking back the machine after 9 months. Since I am moving on to the new SVADAPT this week,  I wouldn't fight to keep iteven though the insurance won't get their money back (something to do with the way the contract is written between M-plan and the respitorycare/hosptial) Please people, do some research before you pay out your half for durable medical goods! Check websites, google CPAP or your machine model and shop![/quote]
I heard on a radio doctor show that the insurance company might actually pay the doctor only as little as 10% of the bill that you see. In the case of c-pap equipment I doubt insurance companies are gullible enough to pay these out rageous prices. I suspect that the only party to get ripped of is the patient.

i currently have a Bipap machine, when i travel it is such a hassle at the airport. i have heard about a device that is small and would fit in my shaving kit. it's called "The full Breath" or some thing like that. does any one have information as to effectiveness and cost?

The zzzPAP is very small and fits your description.  However like many very small travel machines it is missing a lot of bells and whistles such as altitude adjustment, ramp, and others you may/may not need.

Google up "travel cpap" and you'll find the zzzPAP and other travel-sized machines.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Resprionics Full Face Comfort Gel mask

Does any one know anything about this mask from Resprionics ?


_________________
Cheers
Ram
http://www.vadclub.com

Hello all

I am an American working in Barcelona for an insurance company.  This company is interested in providing auto CPAP to its clients within the network.  It currently covers the cost for diagnosis but would like to offer its clietns the option to buy the machines from them at a reduced price than the market.  They can currently get a CPAP machine from social security FREE!!.  Does anybody know the real difference between the two?  I understand the difference on a technical scale but would someone pay extra $$$ to get an AUTO CPAP machine if they could get a CPAP for free????  Could anyone give me some insight?  Also, was it difficult for you to learn how to use your machine???  Was it necessary for someone to teach you at home?  I really would appreciate any help.

Thank you

Mark Mancini

Moderated

Does anyone know a good place to buy full face masks at low cost, even used is ok.  Most used masks are only used for a week or so, then sterilized and resold.  My son doesn't have a job, and has state insurance which does not cover the CPAP or mask.  It amazes me what they do and dont cover.  He has a Comfort Gel mask, and the piece that leans against your forehead that holds the headgear has broken.  He needs a new mask, or at least that piece.


_________________
RemStar Plus M-Series withC-Flex--Pressure of 9
On CPAP since September 12, 2008

Shopping for a CPAP machine reminds me of shopping for GPS for the car. It is very difficult to compare not only brand to brand but model to model within a brand.

Is there a site that does feature comparisons? I'm renting a Resmed S8 which seems to be a whole bunch of different models and I'm not clear on the differences.

Having been a shop owner that had people bring up Internet pricing versus my prices, I'm sensitive to that and don't want to tie up a local store only to say "I'll think about it" and then go buy one on the Internet. After all, I know that service and a comfortable store adds tremendous overhead. However, when money is tight, my wallet is job one, so I'll use other resources, such as this to gain information.


_________________
Steve Bukosky
-----------------
Questioning authority is no better exercised than with the medical community.

ResMed S8 Autoset II EPR/ 4i humidifier
ResMed Mirage Ultra mask - favorite
Respironics Comfortlite II mask - backup

The right CPAP machine can be a great solution for someone struggling with sleep apnea.  I wish I would have known more about the cost, and the nature of the contracts between insurance companies and companies who supply CPAPs on a “rent to own”  basis.
Warning!!!  Do not purchase a CPAP machine using your health insurance “benefits”   Lifecare Solutions, has been paid $356.18 by United Healthcare insurance company; and I've paid them $936.19. That's a total of $1,184.21 - for the exact same product I can buy for $359!  If I had known I could buy a CPAP on my own, I would have never used my health insurance “benefit” to pay 3 times the price.  Failure to disclose material facts is fraud.  Since no one is protecting the consumer, protect yourself by doing a lot of research.

debbie wrote:

I am going to buy a machine. First week in June. They want to charge me $1000
for a 3000  no humitifer

They are screwing you and the insurance CO.

debbie wrote:

I am going to buy a machine. First week in June.
The doctors office has set me up with a larger local
med. supply comp. They want me to buy their brand.
Invacare Your opinion??????? They want to charge me $1000
for a 3000  no humitifer

 humidity with it, is a must.  [Moderated. Please refer to posting guidelines].  Never pay their first price!  They are all out to screw you.

I realize that this is an old subject but I want to enlighten the forum on some key topics that might help ALL of the new CPAP users. First of all, this is a great website/forum for new CPAPers and please utilize it to the max. It seems from several posts that everyone is leaning more to internet buying for everthing these days and I am just as guilty of this myself but you are dealing with your health when it comes to CPAP. The DME companies are charging the allowed amount by insurances and that is why your pricing is much higher with them but do not forget what you are getting with this as well. Your DME company is educating you on the usage of this machine and helping you get compliant of using it consistently. Studies show that only 46% of new CPAPs are compliant with their therapy. That is a low number and it is the job of the DME companies to get you compliant by trying different masks, educating you on humidity problems, pulling download data from your machine and working out the kinks of mask leaks, making sure your AHI is in good range, etc. There is a lot that your DME company should be doing for you and there comes a price with that. I understand that not everybody has the same insurance and are forced to go to cheaper alternatives but also let your DME company know and they should work with you if they want the business. On the other hand, the internet pricing has gotten out of hand. These interent sites are selling this equipment way below what they are suppose to. Make sure that you are checking into their return and warranty policies because the cheap pricing that you are getting may affect this. If you can utilize your DME as a new CPAPer but make sure you are getting the service you should. Then as you become a compliant CPAPer shop around for the best price. Thanks for letting me share.