Purchasing a CPAP

How to acquire a CPAP.

with Insurance

The common path with health insurance is to

1. Make an appointment with a Sleep Doctor
2. Get an appointment for a Sleep Study to Test for the presence of a sleep disorder, commonly Sleep Apnea, and determine what type of Apnea you have and how bad it is.
3. Get an Appointment for a Titration Sleep Study to determine settings for your new CPAP machine
4. Get prescription for the CPAP machine of your choice, Preferably an Auto CPAP (More Flexiblity in use), is recommended from your Sleep Doctor.
5. Visit your DME to pick up your CPAP machine from your DME

Purchase considerations:

• Fully Data Capable, you want data with which to soundly make changes
• Compatible with Sleepyhead (for other data system) to produce detailed Daily Charts
• Get the right machine for your apnea
• Auto mode (This provides Flexibility)
• 0 or low total run hours (not usage hours which can be reset) Note: DMEs have been known to deliver used machines as new

It is strongly suggested that you post a full copy (with personal information redacted) to the Apnea Board Forum so that you know what kind of CPAP would be best for you. For pure Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) this is typically an Auto CPAP which is flexible and fully compatible with The best software available for you to monitor your therapy. Note that these studies often indicate or hint at more complicated apneas which may need a more advanced version of a CPAP than is initially recommended to treat.

without Insurance

The reasons for purchasing without insurance boil down to two reasons, you do not have insurance, or you are choosing to purchase out of pocket.

Note: Legally the US Requires a Prescription to purchase any CPAP or any CPAP mask. That said it is possible to make a purchase without a prescription.

Caution: It is preferred / safer to purchase through storefronts either brick and mortar or on the internet. These sources may change frequently and use this as a guide.

Where to Purchase, not in any particular order

1. Always first choice The Apnea Board Suppliers List but they usually require an Rx (supplier #2 and Supplier #33 have good prices and ship internationally).
2. Amazon
3. eBay
4. craigslist
5. Letgo
6. Facebook Market Place
7. Offerup
8. garage sales
9. estate sales
10. want ads

Many of these exist because unfortunately many people refuse to treat their apnea and sell their machines. Usage and condition may vary from brand new, sealed units to having many thousands of hours on them (know how to check Run hours not user hours which can be reset)

Purchase considerations:

• Fully Data Capable, you want data with which to soundly make changes
• Compatible with Sleepyhead (for other data system) to produce detailed Daily Charts
• Get the right machine for your apnea
• Auto mode (This provides Flexibility)
• 0 or low total run hours (not usage hours which can be reset)
• non-smoker and non-smoker house
• Recommend replacing the filter(s), Mask, Tubes, and Humidifier chamber

Donate to Apnea Board