Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which a person's breathing is interrupted while they sleep, which can result in daytime sleepiness and increased risk of heart disease.
CPAP therapy is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—it can also be prescribed for some types of central sleep apnea (CSA)—since it helps keep the airway open during sleep, thus ensuring uninterrupted breathing throughout the night and an improved quality of sleep.
Next, we’ll explain why a CPAP machine requires a prescription and how you can obtain one quickly and easily.
Why Do You Need a Prescription for a CPAP Machine?
Most doctors recommend using a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help people manage sleep apnea—one of the most common sleep disorders globally.
In the United States, medical devices like CPAP equipment are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which categorizes devices into Class I, II, and III. CPAP machines are classified as Class II medical devices, requiring a prescription for use.
These prescription requirements serve several important purposes:
- They ensure the safety and quality of the equipment used for sleep apnea treatment
- They help health insurance providers verify that you’ve purchased a device recommended by a medical professional.
Prescriptions are required when purchasing CPAP machines, masks, and humidifiers. However, you won’t need a prescription if you’re looking to buy CPAP supplies such as tubing, replacement mask parts, and filters.
Using a CPAP machine without a medical prescription could be dangerous or suboptimal. Without a prescription, it’s impossible to know what air pressure setting is ideal for your specific needs.
Using the wrong air pressure during CPAP therapy can lead to undesirable effects like headaches and dry mouth upon waking up, and if your air pressure settings are too low for your needs, you won’t get the desired effects of the therapy.
A CPAP prescription will provide the following accurate information:
- Your sleep apnea diagnosis (there are different types)
- The best type of device for your needs (CPAP, BiPAP, or APAP)
- The appropriate CPAP mask for your needs (nasal, nasal pillow, or full face)
- The correct pressure setting for your symptoms
How to Get a CPAP Machine Prescription
The first step you need to take to get a new prescription for a CPAP machine is to visit your doctor’s office, where they will assess your sleep apnea symptoms, ask about your medical history and sleep habits, and perform a physical examination.
Once they’re done, if they suspect you may be experiencing sleep apnea, they will refer you to a sleep specialist so they can conduct a sleep study.
For an even faster and more convenient sleep apnea diagnosis, you can take a home sleep test from the comfort of your own bed and find out if you have sleep apnea after just one night.
Can I Buy a CPAP Machine Without a Sleep Study?
No, you can't buy a CPAP machine without a sleep study because you need a sleep apnea diagnosis for a medical professional or sleep specialist to provide a CPAP prescription.
The sleep apnea tests, such as an inpatient polysomnography or a home sleep test, measure different aspects of your sleep pattern, such as breathing patterns, heart rate, and oxygen levels.
This information assists in diagnosing sleep apnea and establishing the air pressure level that would be right for your CPAP therapy. The sleep specialist can also give you instructions on using your CPAP machine correctly for optimal performance.
For this reason, a sleep study is a crucial step in getting a CPAP machine prescription.
What Does My CPAP Machine Prescription Need to Say?
A prescription for a CPAP machine needs to include certain information for it to be valid. Here we list some of the information your CPAP prescription must have:
- The doctor's or NP’s full name, contact information, and signature
- Your full name
- Issued date (it may have an expiration date)
- Treatment duration
- Specific diagnosis
- Air pressure setting that’s ideal for your specific needs
- Any special instruction for your particular case, such as the type of CPAP machine you need (traditional CPAP machine, APAP machine, or BiPAP machine) or the CPAP mask type you should be using to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, such as a nasal, nasal pillow or full-face mask.
Your CPAP machine supplier will use this information to ensure that you purchase the appropriate machine and accessories. At Sleeplay, we have on-site CPAP experts who are ready to answer all your questions about using our machines and masks.
How To Renew Your CPAP Prescription
Renewing your CPAP prescription is easy! With RxExpress, a CPAP prescription renewal service, you can skip the paperwork or in-person visits and digitally receive your prescription with just a short online questionnaire. To be eligible, you must have been diagnosed with sleep apnea within the last 10 years and currently use a CPAP device.
Where to Buy a CPAP Machine?
Once you receive your prescription for a CPAP machine, you can choose between purchasing it from an online retailer or going through your insurance company to get one.
When going through your insurance company to get your CPAP machine, they will typically decide what kind of CPAP equipment they are going to cover, and that’s the only type of CPAP machine you’ll be able to get.
Other woes that come with going through your insurance provider is that you have to navigate the policies and requirements put in place by your insurance provider, which can result in a long and expensive process before you are able to get your CPAP machine and start your sleep apnea treatment.
Additionally, insurance companies require proof of compliance with CPAP therapy before they will pay for CPAP equipment or continue coverage.
When buying through an online retailer, on the other hand, you just need to take a look at all the options available for purchase and choose the machine that adjusts to your medical needs, your lifestyle, and your CPAP therapy expectations.
You’ll be able to choose from the best CPAP brands in the market, such as ResMed, and you’ll be able to buy all the CPAP supplies and accessories you need in just a few minutes.
At Sleeplay, we offer free shipping on orders over $99, a 30-day mask exchange program, 30-day risk-free trials on select machines, and a price match guarantee if you find the same CPAP machine at a lower price with a different retailer. You’ll also receive personalized one-on-one customer service from our award-winning customer service department and CPAP experts.
Where Can I Get a Legitimate Sleep Study for a CPAP Prescription?
To obtain a legitimate and valid prescription for a CPAP machine, you’ll need to undergo a sleep test. Two main types of sleep tests can be performed to determine your sleep apnea treatment needs: a home sleep study, and an in-lab sleep study.
In-lab Sleep Study
In-lab sleep studies can be conducted at a sleep center or hospital, where you will spend the night under observation. During your sleep, various sensors attached to your body will monitor your sleep patterns and physiological activity.
A sleep specialist then analyzes the results, just like with home sleep tests.
While in-lab studies provide more precise results, they can be less comfortable, particularly for those who find sleeping difficult in unfamiliar settings.
This type of sleep study is ideal for people who suffer from other sleep disorders that could affect the results of a home sleep test since it is considered to be more accurate.
Home Sleep Study
A home sleep test is a more convenient and less expensive option for diagnosing sleep apnea. This kind of test is conducted in your own home using a portable monitor that attaches to your finger or chest and measures your sleep parameters. The device is easy and comfortable to wear and displays only three points of contact.
These results are then sent to a sleep specialist, who will analyze them and determine whether you have sleep apnea and the ideal treatment for you.
Home sleep tests are a great option for those suspected of sleep apnea and who don’t have other sleep disorder diagnoses that could affect the results of the test, such as restless leg syndrome or narcolepsy.
You need a prescription or referral from a physician to get this test performed, but you can get said referral through Sleeplay’s virtual appointment service. You can also get our very own Home Sleep Test, which has helped plenty of people over the years get their sleep apnea diagnosis and CPAP prescription.
Advantages of A Home Sleep Study
The advantages of our Home Sleep Test over conventional sleep tests are:
- A home sleep test is hassle-free, fast, and accessible.
- Much less expensive than lab tests.
- Get results in just one night.
- The device is shipped straight to your door.
Obtaining a CPAP prescription is the first step in starting sleep apnea treatment. Your prescription is a document that not only allows you to purchase the CPAP machine that’s right for you but also contains the instructions to perform CPAP therapy correctly and ensure that your treatment is effective.
If you want to know if you have sleep apnea and get started in your journey to treat it, you can take our Home Sleep Test.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I get a CPAP machine for free?
There are a few ways to get a CPAP machine for free or at a reduced cost, including through insurance, donations, and programs. However, keep in mind that this won't guarantee you get to choose the device or additional supplies such as CPAP masks, tubing, etc.
2. How much does a CPAP machine cost?
The average cost of a CPAP machine is between $500 to $1,000. However, this will depend on the model, brand, and features.
3. How do you get a CPAP machine?
Start by consulting with your primary care physician or a sleep specialist. If you have symptoms of sleep apnea, they will likely recommend a sleep study. If diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor will prescribe a CPAP machine. A prescription is required to purchase a CPAP machine in the United States. You can get a CPAP machine through a medical supply company, which often works directly with your insurance or from online retailers, which may offer a broader selection. If you prefer to buy out-of-pocket or do not have insurance coverage, you can compare prices from different suppliers.
Medically reviewed: Gabriela Alvarado
Medical Doctor from the Central University of Venezuela. She holds certifications in Public Health Practice from institutions such as Johns Hopkins University (USA) and Imperial College London (UK).
