Medical Supply Costs

[Gabby]

Welcome TassieJeff, Welcome aboard and I am so pleased your wife is feeling the benefit of your treatment so early in the treatment.
I am another newbie Aussie and I have just purchased over $600 worth of equipment from the U.S. for just over $200 Australian. I could not believe the difference in the prices we are being expected to pay. I am fortunate enough to be able to obtain a ResMed S9 Elite CPAP through the Govt. so I cannot complain about that. But I did my homework and refused to pay the ridiculous prices our country had on offer, for the other items that I required.
This forum has been the best and us Australians that come across it are so lucky.

[TassieJeff]

Welcome TassieJeff, Welcome aboard and I am so pleased your wife is feeling the benefit of your treatment so early in the treatment.
I am another newbie Aussie and I have just purchased over $600 worth of equipment from the U.S. for just over $200 Australian. I could not believe the difference in the prices we are being expected to pay. I am fortunate enough to be able to obtain a ResMed S9 Elite CPAP through the Govt. so I cannot complain about that. But I did my homework and refused to pay the ridiculous prices our country had on offer, for the other items that I required.
This forum has been the best and us Australians that come across it are so lucky.

You bet Gabby. This is a great forum. Tell all your friends.
FYI I used to live at Peregian Beach for about 30 years before moving down to Tasmania.
I got my setup from the USA (Supplier #10) saved heaps.

[Gabby]

Welcome TassieJeff, Welcome aboard and I am so pleased your wife is feeling the benefit of your treatment so early in the treatment.
I am another newbie Aussie and I have just purchased over $600 worth of equipment from the U.S. for just over $200 Australian. I could not believe the difference in the prices we are being expected to pay. I am fortunate enough to be able to obtain a ResMed S9 Elite CPAP through the Govt. so I cannot complain about that. But I did my homework and refused to pay the ridiculous prices our country had on offer, for the other items that I required.
This forum has been the best and us Australians that come across it are so lucky.

You bet Gabby. This is a great forum. Tell all your friends.
FYI I used to live at Peregian Beach for about 30 years before moving down to Tasmania.
I got my setup from the USA (Supplier #10) saved heaps.

Jeff, we could have been neighbours, I'm at Coolum Beach, been here 26 years.
I would love to tell friends about the forum and my supplier but I don't know anyone else with this problem, I'm the only one. That's why I was so happy when I discovered this forum, I've now made friends and found out so much valuable information. Because everything takes so long here, I haven't started treatment yet but I pick up my machine on Wednesday and cannot wait. I am waiting for life to turn around, I hope I am able to see results as quick as you saw yours.
You moved from one beautiful part of the country to another. Just colder!

[woozie38]

That's exactly my conclusion. Even my private health insurer will not cover a machine purchased outside Australia. There is no other reasonable explanation other than they are protecting the profits of the suppliers here.

Yes, it's true, this is an "industry" not a medical service. The source of my CPAP needs is in the US too. Not on our list however, but his prices are less than #10. I've just purchased my F&P Icon+ for US$175 less. Mask, filters heated hose etc cheaper. About the same delivery time as in AU as well.
About warranty & service, I can't say whether or not machines from o/seas would be covered here in AU but my US bought hearing aids are. In any case parts and service are so dear its cheaper to buy another new US machine. This is what I did when Resmed quoted AU$625 to repair my S8 auto when the on/off switch failed. (a problem they are prone to).

[Gabby]

That's exactly my conclusion. Even my private health insurer will not cover a machine purchased outside Australia. There is no other reasonable explanation other than they are protecting the profits of the suppliers here.

Yes, it's true, this is an "industry" not a medical service. The source of my CPAP needs is in the US too. Not on our list however, but his prices are less than #10. I've just purchased my F&P Icon+ for US$175 less. Mask, filters heated hose etc cheaper. About the same delivery time as in AU as well.
About warranty & service, I can't say whether or not machines from o/seas would be covered here in AU but my US bought hearing aids are. In any case parts and service are so dear its cheaper to buy another new US machine. This is what I did when Resmed quoted AU$625 to repair my S8 auto when the on/off switch failed. (a problem they are prone to).

Hi Geoff,
You are right it is an industry more than a service especially in our country.
I like you have a great U.S. dealer. I have just purchased a Resmed S9 Auto for U.S.$250.00 with two years guarantee but as you say if anything goes wrong and I don't want to send it back to the U.S. or am unable to have it fixed here it is cheaper to buy a new one.
My supplier charges $50.00 for all masks that she supplies. Pillows $10.00. and the list goes on. She is great.
Why would I shop in Australia? I don't mind waiting a bit longer, it is worth it for the excellent savings I make.
Good luck to you on your journey.

[TassieJeff]

(/quote)
Yes, it's true, this is an "industry" not a medical service. The source of my CPAP needs is in the US too. Not on our list however, but his prices are less than #10. I've just purchased my F&P Icon+ for US$175 less. Mask, filters heated hose etc cheaper. About the same delivery time as in AU as well.
About warranty & service, I can't say whether or not machines from o/seas would be covered here in AU but my US bought hearing aids are. In any case parts and service are so dear its cheaper to buy another new US machine. This is what I did when Resmed quoted AU$625 to repair my S8 auto when the on/off switch failed. (a problem they are prone to).
[/quote]

Crazy isn't it ?. CPAP was a Aussie invention and ResMed the result of the development. Now it's heaps cheaper for me to import from the US than to buy locally. Go figure.

[zonk]

Food for thought

US market share = 50% of CPAP sales globally
Australian market share = ???


Insurance in US cover machines and regular supplies replacement
Insurance in Australia cover ???

Coverage under Insurance and Medicare
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...6_Medicare

There has to be a better way than just keep complaining about prices

[Skypilot]

Thank you Sam. The penny dropped the moment I contacted my Sleep Specialist for a consult. On learning that I brought the CPAP from the USA (which is quite legal) He told me no-one in Australia will support me.

I am on the verge of purchasing a CPAP from the US and I would expect the CPAP people I am currently hiring the machine from to drop me like a hot potato should I not purchase from them. I hope the specialist doctor is still professional and is impartial to where I purchase. I was ripped off and did buy a nasal pillow mask at their discounted price of $245!

But really I know my pressure setting what more support do I need - yes they helped me with fitting the mask and setting the machine initially - but really what else do I need? I can read the CPAP manual.......

There is the issue of warranty support.

I put the figures (US cost + shipping + exchange rate) into an excel spreadsheet and if I have their figures right and their discount and with the private insurance rebate I would save ~$523 (depending upon the exchange rate on the day).

So really do I buy locally or from the US. That, is the question!

[Sleepster]

But really I know my pressure setting what more support do I need - yes they helped me with fitting the mask and setting the machine initially - but really what else do I need? I can read the CPAP manual.......

There is the issue of warranty support.

In the case of a faulty machine I would think you'd be covered. You'd have to pay the shipping costs and go without while you wait for a replacement or a repair. But we don't see many complaints about new or used machines being broken, they seem to be highly reliable.

The other factor to consider is the possible need for a more advanced machine. Suppose you buy a CPAP machine but then find that to fight aerophagia you need a BiPAP. Or to fight central apnea you need an ASV machine. This is when insurance coverage is most needed as they will allow you to return the machine that's not working for you so they can replace it.

During your sleep study did you swallow any air? Were you diagnosed with central or mixed sleep apnea?

[zonk]

So really do I buy locally or from the US. That, is the question!

I,m all for avoiding the rip-off merchants but having private insurance is a game changer

I would buy the machine locally but look for the best deal, its like Sunday market out there YMMV
ResMed warranty up to 5 years in Australia

For masks, try locally but buy globally its can be quite costly buying a mask not knowing the right size or have not ever tried
You can buy masks, cushions and other stuff on-line from US
I bundle all what I need in one shipment once a year to save on shipping costs