Resmed imposes "floor" pricing on Canadian Online suppliers

[Cruiser]

In Ontario, the government mandates a basic package for which they'll fund. No doubt the DME will try even harder to upsell now.

[holden4th]

From my research, none of the health insurance providers in Australia cover PAP therapy in any way. If I want a machine I have to buy it myself. The cost of a machine in OZ is almost three time what it would cost in the US. Logic and economics say that I should import from the US which is what I have done for all my machines.

A couple of months ago I went to a CPAP supplier a few kms away to pick up a new nasal pillow for my P30i. Talking to the woman behind the desk she was a bit puzzled that she couldn't find me in her system.

"Have you bought a machine from us?"
"No"
"Have you bought a machine from another Australian suppler?"
"No"
"So where did you get your machine from?"
"The US"
"Why not buy from an Australian supplier?"
"Simple, if you can match US prices then I'll buy from you. My Resmed BiLevel Auto cost me $*** including shipping. Can you match that price."

The conversation ended at that point and might be salient for Canadian PAP users.

[DeepBreathing]

You need to look a bit harder, Holden. From what I've seen the majority of funds do give a rebate for a machine, from about $300 to $800 depending on the fund and what table you're on.

It's not nearly enough given the cost of machines here, but it does need to be included in your calculations. It's also the case that some of the high end machines e.g. Resmed ASV are actually cheaper here.

[Cruiser]

I came across this (which has supposedly been in effect since 2012):
https://www.resmed.com/us/en/healthcare-...olicy.html

Some interesting snippets:

ResMed makes superior products for the treatment of sleep-disordered breathing and other medical conditions. Patient compliance is an important aspect of effective treatment, and the involvement of health professionals greatly improves compliance. ResMed believes that its products are best sold directly to patients by a highly qualified network of medical equipment professionals. ResMed also believes the sale of its products on the Internet is most effective when coupled with the high degree of service provided by this network of customers. ResMed therefore chooses to authorize the sale of its products on the Internet only through customers that carry appropriate inventory sufficient to meet in person and online demand, provide superior patient service in person and on the Internet, and consistently promote the features and benefits of ResMed products in online advertising.

Do not use "call for price" or "call for quote" or other statements designed to circumvent this Internet Policy. Do not offer free or discounted products with the purchase of products covered by ResMed's Canada MIRP. Do not advertise or sell non-ResMed products together with ResMed products as part of a combined therapy product offering. This Internet Policy is not intended to restrict sales of non-ResMed products.

Do not reference or mention an assistive devices reimbursement program ("ADP") in any online advertisement. If an Internet Provider intends to refer to an ADP on its website, prior written consent must be obtained from ResMed. This requirement is not intended to prevent participation in an ADP or to set a particular price for ADP reimbursement.

Presumably, one could call some of the existing vendors and ask for their best price.  Masks from other manufacturers are significantly cheaper now - I guess they are ok to lose business over this.

[Grandpapa-G]

It certainly appears that Resmed is trying to emulate Apple in imposing mandatory floor pricing on its branded products. I don't think it is a coincidence that all the Canadian internet sellers ratcheted up their prices recently. The 2012 policy that was posted by Cruiser had not been in force in the last 4 years when I have been using cpap. I guess when myself and others have referred to good deals from the listed Canadian suppliers we may have been partly responsible for Resmed's recent enforcement actions. It would be naive to think Resmed does not read our forum discussions.

[holden4th]

You need to look a bit harder, Holden.   From what I've seen the majority of funds do give a rebate for a machine, from about $300 to $800 depending on the fund and what table you're on.

It's not nearly enough given the cost of machines here, but it does need to be included in your calculations. It's also the case that some of the high end machines e.g. Resmed ASV are actually cheaper here.

I'm with my union health fund which is member owned and driven and is rated quite highly. When I queried them about support for CPAP I was told that there was none so I would be interested in which funds do support PAP therapy.

Based on this, because I have fairly extensive cover, I'll go back to the fund to find out if they now support it.

[DeepBreathing]

HBF in WA offer "up to" $720, with a 15% discount if you buy from one of their pharmacies.

BUPA offer 85% of the cost "up to" $1500, once per two years if you're on the top table, smaller percentages and dollar figures on lower tables.

I couldn't find Medibank's rebate but I recall getting something like $500 back on my ASV about 6 years ago.

[holden4th]

I contacted my health provider and they said they could do it if I upgraded my extras cover to the top level which of course means an increase in fortnightly payments. It will also triple my hospital excess cover. After doing the Maths I'm much better off importing from the US.

[Cruiser]

Have any Canucks tried an order over the phone yet?

[DaveL]

I bought my S9E used years ago.
REason? Cost.