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Can You Buy a CPAP Machine Online?
- You can buy CPAP machines online from authorized retailers, manufacturer websites, and telehealth providers, but you must have a prescription.
- Online CPAP machines can cost between $500 and $1,000 on average, but insurance often covers a portion of the cost.
- You should buy your CPAP machine from an authorized seller to ensure you’re receiving authentic equipment with proper warranty coverage and customer support. Avoid third-party marketplaces and private sellers.
- Online shopping usually offers a wider selection and more competitive pricing on CPAP machines, while in-store shopping allows you to try out the equipment first and receive hands-on guidance.
CPAP equipment has become more available online over the years, either direct from the manufacturer or through third-party retailers and durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers. Buying online follows many of the same steps as buying in-person at a brick-and-mortar store, and you’ll still need a prescription to order your CPAP machine.
We’ll go through everything you need to know about buying CPAP supplies online, what to look out for, and how this process compares to buying in-store, so you can decide which is best for you.
How to Buy a CPAP Machine Online
Compared with purchasing other medical supplies online, buying CPAP equipment requires a few extra steps. Once you’ve found a model you like, consider gathering all your paperwork before starting the checkout process.
Get a Prescription
Whether you buy online or in-store, you must present a prescription to purchase a CPAP machine or a mask. When buying online, the retailer should include a step during the checkout process where you can email or upload a copy of your prescription.
Specialized sleep apnea online retailers may sell an at-home sleep apnea test that you can perform yourself. You’ll still need to book an appointment to confirm the diagnosis with a licensed physician, but this simplifies the process so you can start your CPAP treatment faster.
Individual replacement parts such as mask cushions or headgear are sold over-the-counter.
Check Your Insurance Coverage
The price of a CPAP machine runs between $500 and $1,000 on average, with specialized options such as BiPAP costing up to $3,000. You may also need to add the price of the mask — between $50 and $200 — plus the ongoing cost of replacement parts. Medicare and many private plans offer insurance coverage to help offset these expenses.
If you’re planning to use insurance to pay for CPAP therapy, double-check your policy and be very careful about where you purchase your CPAP supplies. For example, Medicare covers 80% of your CPAP therapy cost once you’ve met your deductible, but only if you obtain your supplies from a participating DME provider .
Depending on your deductible, it’s sometimes cheaper to find a website with low prices and pay out-of-pocket. You can see our recommended suppliers that take insurance for CPAP here.
Find the Right Type of CPAP Machine
There are three main types of positive airway pressure (PAP) machines.
- CPAP (A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure): Pumps constant, low-pressure air through your airway to keep it open during sleep.
- BiPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure): Alternates air pressure, providing higher pressure air when you inhale and lower pressure when you exhale.
- APAP (An Autotitrating Positive Airway Pressure): Adjusts the pressure of the airflow throughout the night to match your breathing patterns.
Where to Buy a CPAP Machine Online
CPAP retailers and online medical supply sites are some of the best options for buying CPAP supplies online. These sites offer an assortment of different brands so you can compare different models. Since they specialize in CPAP equipment, they may also offer advice for choosing the best CPAP machine or options for checking your insurance coverage.
Online CPAP Retailers
Online retailers that specialize in CPAP equipment may offer a wide selection of machines and accessories, along with product comparisons, customer reviews, and resources to help you make an informed decision. Most accept insurance, and some also provide virtual consultations with sleep specialists and ongoing product support.
Manufacturer Websites
If you know which machine you want to purchase, the best way to ensure that it’s authentic is to buy directly from the manufacturer website. Many manufacturers that sell directly to consumers offer exclusive deals or bundles, and their troubleshooting and customer support services are specialized for your machine. However, a CPAP retailer site allows you to compare a wider selection of products.
Telehealth and Sleep Health Providers
Many telehealth and sleep health providers now offer comprehensive CPAP services including at-home sleep tests, virtual doctor consultations, prescriptions, and equipment delivery. Many of these services also handle the insurance claims, and some even provide ongoing virtual consultations to help you adjust to using your CPAP machine.
Tips for Buying a CPAP Machine Online
While shopping for a CPAP machine online gives you access to a wider selection of both products and information, it can be overwhelming for the same reasons. Also, unlike most brick-and-mortar stores where you get to inspect the product yourself, online sales carry a small risk of scams and counterfeit machines. Here are some tips to make shopping online for a CPAP machine go smoothly.
Make Sure the Retailer Requires a Prescription
All CPAP machines require a prescription. If an online retailer doesn’t ask for yours, that’s a red flag that it may be selling counterfeit or unauthorized machines. These products may not meet safety standards and likely won’t have proper warranty coverage.
Skip Third-Party Marketplaces
Some sellers on large marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace do sell authorized CPAP machines, but it can be difficult to verify which ones are real. Some CPAP machines on these sites may be used, counterfeit, or expired, and may not meet the most recent safety standards.
Third-party market places also often lack proper warranty support and customer service. Ordering from a designated CPAP retailer, manufacturer site, or an established medical supply company is a safer bet.
Consider Trials and Warranties
Some CPAP retailers offer short trial periods, which are a good way to test a new CPAP model before making a commitment. If your insurance covers you on a rent-to-own basis, another option is to rent a machine through a DME supplier instead of buying it outright.
Most CPAP devices are backed by a two- or three-year warranty. Accessories may come with a shorter warranty that lasts a few months.
Warranty policies vary in how they handle return shipping charges, repair versus replacement, and other details. The length of the warranty may also change if you buy through a third-party retailer. Depending on where you bought your CPAP equipment, you may file the warranty claim either through the retailer or directly with the manufacturer.
Check Shipping Policies
When comparing prices between online CPAP retailers, be sure to factor in the shipping cost. Some retailers have free shipping, while others may charge a substantial fee. You should also verify the delivery time frame, especially if you need the machine urgently.
Look for Strong Customer Support
Since you won’t be able to try out the machine and ask questions in person, it’s important to make sure the retailer you order from offers reliable customer support for setup questions and troubleshooting. Favor sites that offer multiple ways to contact customer support, such as phone, email, and live chat.
Read Customer Reviews and Ratings
Reading customer reviews of CPAP machines can give you a strong sense of which one is the best for you. Look beyond the star ratings and scan for reviews that talk about the machine’s performance with regards to your needs and priorities. For example, a loud CPAP machine may bother one sleeper, but lull another one to sleep like a white noise machine. You can also get insight into the retailer’s customer service and support.
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Buying a CPAP Machine Online vs. in a Store
Many people enjoy the convenience of purchasing a CPAP machine online, where you can easily compare and contrast prices and models across different sources. CPAP retailers also offer a streamlined checkout process and often have a chat feature, in case you need more personalized advice.
Because many parts of a CPAP setup need ongoing replacement, online retailers may offer a subscription plan where they deliver the parts to you on a set schedule, taking the hassle out of remembering to purchase them yourself.
However, if it’s your first time trying CPAP therapy, you may feel more comfortable buying the device in a physical store or through your doctor. Buying in-person allows you to physically try the mask on and receive more hands-on guidance.
Whether you buy your CPAP machine online or in-store, be sure to only buy from a trustworthy retailer. Using a flawed machine or trying CPAP therapy without a prescription can be dangerous for your health, which is why the government regulates the sale of CPAP equipment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy a CPAP online?
Buying a CPAP machine online is safe as long as you buy from an authorized seller. Look for manufacturer websites, reputable medical equipment suppliers, or established sleep health providers, and make sure that the seller asks for a prescription. Avoid third-party marketplaces and private sellers to minimize the risk of getting a counterfeit CPAP machine that doesn’t meet safety or hygiene standards.
Can I buy a used CPAP machine online?
You can buy used and refurbished CPAP machines online, but only from an authorized retailer. Authorized retailers will ensure that the machines are serviced, properly sanitized, and calibrated. It’s best to avoid buying used CPAP machines from private online sellers or large online marketplaces.
Can you return a CPAP machine purchased online?
Most online CPAP machine retailers offer a trial period where you can try out the machine and return it if you’re unsatisfied. These vary, so it’s important to check the seller’s return policy. This is especially important when buying online since you can’t try out the machine in person before buying like you can at a store. Verify the machine’s warranty policy as well – most CPAP machines have a two- or three-year warranty.
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Brian Clark is a writer and educator based in Los Angeles. His articles have appeared in The Austin Chronicle, Movieline and Screen Anarchy, among others. Like many, he became acutely aware of the importance of sleep after his first child was born.
References
3 Sources
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American Academy of Sleep Medicine. (2018, October 19). FDA reclassifies positive airway pressure as a Class II medical device.
https://aasm.org/fda-reclassifies-positive-aiway-pressure-class-ii-medical-device/ -
CPAP Coverage. www.medicare.gov. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/continuous-positive-airway-pressure-devices
https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/continuous-positive-airway-pressure-devices -
A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. (2023, April 20). Positive airway pressure treatment. MedlinePlus.
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001916.htm
