How much does a CPAP machine cost without insurance?

What a CPAP machine is

A CPAP machine is a small bedside device that helps people with sleep apnea breathe during sleep. The letters CPAP stand for continuous positive airway pressure. Sleep apnea is a problem in which breathing stops and starts again while you sleep. MedlinePlus, the health information site of the National Library of Medicine, says the pauses can last from a few seconds to minutes. They may happen 30 or more times an hour.

The NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health. It says a CPAP machine provides constant air pressure through your mouth, your nose or both, to keep your airway open. The air travels through a hose to a mask you wear. Two related machines are also on the NHLBI list. A BPAP machine changes the pressure when you breathe in and out, and an APAP machine adjusts the pressure on its own.

This page gives general information only, and your provider is the right person to tell you which type suits you.

Why we do not give one price

Our search for a current national price for a CPAP machine covered a government agency, a research group or a health system. It did not turn up a number we could trust. Many websites list averages, but they do not say where the numbers come from, so we left them out.

A price you see online also may not include everything you need. The pieces below are the ones that change the total, and each one is worth asking about.

• The type of machine changes the price, because a machine with one steady pressure, an automatic machine and a two-level machine are built differently.
• A heated humidifier, which adds moisture to the air, comes built into some machines according to the Mayo Clinic. On others it may be a separate part.
• The mask comes in several styles, and the NHLBI says you may need to try another mask or nasal pillows if one leaks.
• Some parts wear out, including the tube, the air filter and the mask. The NHLBI says to refill your prescription on time for the parts that need regular replacement, so supplies are a cost that comes back.
• A seller may add fees for setup, delivery or fitting, and a return may not be fully refunded.

Getting a CPAP machine takes a prescription

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration clears CPAP machines and masks for prescription use only. A prescription is a written order from a doctor or another licensed provider, and a seller will ask to see one. The NHLBI also tells people to refill prescriptions for the parts that wear out, such as masks, tubes and filters.

A prescription usually follows a sleep study, which is the test that shows whether you have sleep apnea and how serious it is. Our guide on the cost of a sleep study without insurance explains the home and lab versions and what hospitals charge. The doctor who reads the study decides on the settings, so please do not guess at them on your own.

How to get one clear price

The goal is a single written total, not a machine price that grows later. Call two or three sellers and ask each one the same questions. Our guide on asking for the cash price has a phone script, and these questions fit it well.

1. Say, "I do not have insurance, so what is your self-pay price for this machine?"
2. Ask whether the price includes the humidifier and the hose, along with a mask.
3. Ask what replacement parts cost, and how often the seller expects you to replace them.
4. Ask whether there are setup, delivery or fitting fees.
5. Ask how long you can try the mask and machine, and what you get back if you return them.
6. Ask whether the seller offers a payment plan, and get all of it in writing.

The NHLBI notes that an insurance company may review the usage data from your machine to decide whether to cover it. Without insurance this does not apply, but the machine still records the data. Your provider may ask to see it to check how the treatment is going.

Places to ask for help with the cost

Start with the doctor who prescribed the machine and find out whether the practice works with more than one seller. Doing so lets you compare their totals side by side. A direct primary care doctor charges a flat membership fee, usually $50 to $200 a month. A membership is not insurance, so the machine is a separate cost, but the doctor can write the order and help you read a quote. To find one, search for a cash-pay doctor near you.

A community health center is another place to ask. These clinics charge by income and family size, and they serve people even if they cannot pay. We could not confirm that every center can order a sleep study or a CPAP machine, so ask what they offer. You can read more in our guide on community health centers.

A free helpline called 2-1-1 can point you to local charities and programs. We could not find a national program that gives away machines, so it is worth asking what exists near you. If you pay in installments, read our guide on a medical bill payment plan first, since it shows what to ask about interest.

Getting the most from the machine you buy

According to the NHLBI, you should learn how to set up and clean every part of your machine. It also says to clean your mask and wash your face before you put the mask on, because that can help it seal better. A mask that leaks or does not fit well is worth a call to your provider, who may suggest another style.

Mayo Clinic advises sticking with the machine for several weeks to see whether the mask and pressure are right for you. It also says to contact your care team or supplier within the first few days if the mask fits poorly. These are good reasons to ask about the return policy before you pay. If you have chest pain, trouble breathing while you are awake or any other emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.