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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on May 14, 2009 at 4:44pm

You are supposed to fax or mail them your script and it should be set accordingly if it is from a reputable online dealer. Now it is a different story if you buy from craigslist, eBay, or another site similar to those.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on May 14, 2009 at 5:03pm

I have purchased supplies from www.cpap.com and so my experience is based on that experience.

Although, they have a copy of my script on file I have not purchased a machine directly from www.cpap.com but from their sister site www.cpapauction.com. I purchased a back up machine that had very low hours on it and looked new. If you have a script for a cpap you may purchase either a straight cpap or an apap. If you have a script for an apap, then you must purchase an apap, they will not allow you to purchase a straight cpap with that script. This is the rule for both www. cpap.com and www.cpapauction.com.

I have purchased filters, hoses, and humidifier tanks from www.cpap.com and they have been easy to work with. They have great customer support from everything I have read. The order was placed on line and arrived within a couple of days. No hassle no regrets. I do plan on purchasing another new machine with a-flex near the end of this year with my flex money and plan on doing so at www.cpap.com. They price match if you find a like item cheaper, call them and if it is the same item, they will match the lower price.

From reports I have read on another forum, the pressure is set for you according to the script that is sent to them. If you have trouble, customer support will help you. If you purchase masks from them, they offer return insurance so that if the mask doesn't fit you can return it for a refund minus the insurance. If you do NOT purchase return insurance they do have a no return policy on masks.

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Permalink Reply by Melinda Hertel on May 14, 2009 at 5:46pm

In order to purchase a CPAP online you are required to have a prescription with the settings written on it. And, any CPAP seller, whether online or not, has to have a licensed RT (respiratory therapist) on staff to set the machine. The settings cannot vary from the prescription. Another good company online to check out is www.ezcpap.com.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Ihrig on May 14, 2009 at 6:00pm

I just went through the process with Americare Respiratory Services online. The salesman Don was so helpful. He took care of all the paperwork and yes the machine comes already set to your Rx. My supplies came with my machine and will be automatically reordered on a schedule predetermaned by my insurance company. I don't have to pay for the supplies, they (Americare) take what the insurance pays them. I was also able to upgrade my machine and I paid the difference. I am one happy camper that my sleep disorder was diagnosed. It could have cost me my life if gone untreated.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on May 14, 2009 at 6:15pm

I have bought machines, masks, and supplies from CPAPAuction, EBay and off CraigsList. While CPAPAuction "requires" the buyer to have a script on file in order to purchase a machine or complete mask, this doesn't happen. I have lost several biddings to individuals who do not had a script on file. (You can determine if the person has a script on file simply by looking at the bid list for the auction.) Keep in mind, you are not buying from CPAPAuction, you are buying from a private individual and the machine will not arrive with your settings programmed in it. You will, unless you have the clinician’s manual for the purchased machine, have to take it to you local DME and I would almost guarantee you will be charged for the service of setting your script.

I have also purchased off of CraigsList and encountered no problems. Again, insure yourself by making your purchase using PayPal so as to avoid giving a scammer your credit card information or personal information. In addition, you have a buyer protection service when you use PayPal.

I have taken the time to search the web, and for no cost, I have amassed a large library of clinician's, user's, and set-up manuals for a large percentage of the *PAP machines. This information has allowed me the ability to avoid the dreaded DME when I purchase a machine online. I understand they need to make a living also, but not off of me at each clip.

Great deals are available in the market place. A little common sense and patience can get you a good machine at a very low cost.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on May 15, 2009 at 6:48pm

thanks. i wouldn't have thought that any online retailer would just ship out the machine and rely on the patient to set it up, but i suppose anything's possible.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on May 15, 2009 at 7:22pm

Dan I have tried bidding on various machines on cpapauction and it would not allow me to until I had the script on file. Mine is for an apap and it will not let me bid on straight cpap machines -- period as it blocks the transaction prior to the bid being accepted.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on May 16, 2009 at 12:18am

Ditto. My experience has been the same as SleepyCarol's at cpapauction.com

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