CPAP Newsletter: Letter to Customers: CPAP.com Prescription Policy Change

To Our Customers,

We have important news, here's what you should know:

1. You now need a prescription to purchase masks, humidifiers and machines online.
   
   
2. With your permission, we can obtain your prescription from your doctor.

We now require prescriptions to be on file before any machine, mask, or humidifier may be shipped. This is because the Food and Drug Administration classifies masks and humidifiers along with machines as Class II Medical Devices, which require a prescription.

We at CPAP.com believe, like many of our customers, that this will deter some people from getting the treatment they need and deserve. While we disagree with the classification, we are a company incorporated in the United States of America that falls under the authority of the FDA. Therefore, we must abide by these regulations and have updated our prescription policy accordingly.

We fully recognize the inconvenience this policy places on many of our customers. We want to offer you the option of having CPAP.com "do the work" on your behalf. To this end, we have created an automated prescription request system, which will enable us to request prescriptions from your doctor. All you need to do is provide us with the doctor's contact information. This can be done as you place your next order. Or if you prefer, you may contact us beforehand so the prescription will be ready for you.

Here are answers to common prescription questions:

Q. Who can write the prescription?
A. Prescriptions can be written by any licensed physician. This includes your family doctor, general practitioner ("GP"), sleep doctor, pulmonologist, etc.

Q. Can you request my prescription for me?
A. Yes. We are happy to assist you in obtaining a prescription. We have an automated system that will request your prescription from your physician.

1. When you select the mask, machine, or humidifier you would like to purchase, select, "Request My Prescription from My Physician" from the "How will you send us your Rx?" dropdown menu.
2. When you are checking out, provide us your doctor's name and phone number, fax number or website, in the fields provided, and we will request the prescription for you. We will let you know when we have received your prescription.
3. Or call us before your next order and we can help start the process.

Q. Will you accept my original prescription?
A. Yes. Once we have a prescription on file, you will not have to submit a new one. If you have another sleep study and your pressure needs have changed from your previous prescription you can send us your updated prescription for your file.

Q. If I have a prescription for a machine, do I need another prescription to purchase a mask or humidifier?
A. No. If you have a prescription for a CPAP, APAP, or BiPAP machine this will cover the prescription requirements for a mask, humidifier, and machine.

Q. Do replacement parts for masks, machines or humidifiers require a prescription?
A. No. Replacement cushions, headgear, other mask parts, machine filters, humidifier chambers and other replacement parts do not require a prescription for purchase.

Q. I have a copy of my prescription. How do I get it to CPAP.com?
A. If you have a copy of your prescription you can send it to us one of three ways.

1. You can fax it to us toll free at 1-866-353-2727, or 713-541-7370 for international.
2. You can upload the prescription.
3. You can email us the prescription to rx@cpap.com.

For more information regarding this policy please see: CPAP.com Prescription FAQs.

We apologize for any inconvenience these regulations cause. We are committed to finding ways to transition to this new policy as smoothly as possible. Our Customer Service Representatives are ready to help you. We value your business and are dedicated to meeting your Sleep Apnea needs.

Sincerely,
Johnny Goodman
General Manager
CPAP.com (US Expediters, Inc.)