Insurance Does Medicare Pay for CPAP Machines? Medicare Coverage for CPAP Machines By Charles Munyi Charles Munyi Charles Munyi has over eight years of experience as a personal finance writer. He wrote about insurance, banking, budgeting, products, services, and more for The Balance and Investopedia. Charles completed the Good with Words: Writing and Editing Course through the University of Michigan. He also holds a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Multimedia University of Kenya. learn about our editorial policies Updated on April 18, 2022 Reviewed by Samantha Silberstein In This Article View All In This Article When Will Medicare Cover CPAP Machines? How To Get Medicare To Cover a CPAP Machine How Much Does a CPAP Machine Cost With Medicare? The Bottom Line Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Photo: John Fedele / Getty Images Original Medicare Part B, which covers durable medical equipment (DME), helps cover some of the costs associated with the use of sleep apnea machines. If you’re diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine therapy is a popular treatment option. However, this form of therapy doesn’t cure sleep apnea, so you may continue to use a CPAP machine indefinitely. This continuous use may require you to occasionally replace some CPAP supplies, which could be a recurring expense. Learn what type of Medicare coverage pays for CPAP machines, when it will cover CPAP machines and supplies, and what costs you may need to pay out of pocket. Key Takeaways Medicare Part B will pay a percentage of the cost of a CPAP machine if you have obstructive sleep apnea, but you’ll need to go through an initial three-month trial period.You must consistently use your CPAP machine for at least four hours every 24 hours, otherwise, Medicare may deny coverage after the trial period. Beneficiaries who receive CPAP coverage for the first three months must undergo a clinical re-evaluation to determine whether there’s a medical necessity to extend coverage after the trial period. When Will Medicare Cover CPAP Machines? Medicare Part B covers the use of CPAP machines by adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Medicare initially will cover the cost of the CPAP for up to three months if your sleep apnea diagnosis is documented by a sleep study. Medicare will cover the sleep apnea machine after the initial three-month trial period if your doctor—after meeting you—documents in your medical record that you meet certain conditions about using the device and that you benefited from CPAP during the initial trial period. Upon completion of the trial period, you must be re-evaluated to determine whether there is a medical necessity to warrant Medicare coverage of the CPAP machine beyond those initial three months. Medicare won’t continue coverage for subsequent months without this re-evaluation. Note If you are not using a CPAP machine consistently for an average of four hours every 24 hours, it will be deemed non-compliant and Medicare may deny continuing coverage beyond your initial three-month trial period. How To Get Medicare To Cover a CPAP Machine Medicare will cover a CPAP machine if you meet two conditions. You must first be diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, and you must submit your primary doctor’s order or prescription to the right supplier to receive coverage. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to make that happen. Get an Initial Clinical Evaluation For Medicare to cover a CPAP machine, you must first have a face-to-face evaluation with your primary care physician to assess you for obstructive sleep apnea. You’ll then take a sleep test that your doctor will use to document in your medical record symptoms of sleep apnea. If you have sleep apnea, Medicare may cover your CPAP machine for an initial three-month trial period. Get a Second Clinical Evaluation If Medicare covers your CPAP machine for the three-month trial period, you must undergo a second clinical evaluation to establish medical necessity for continued coverage. During the face-to-face evaluation, your doctor must document that your symptoms of sleep apnea have improved and that you’ve adhered to consistent CPAP therapy. Note If you fail the initial 12-week trial period, you’re eligible to requalify for a CPAP device by taking an in-person clinical re-evaluation and repeating the sleep test in a facility-based setting. Submit an Order to the Right Supplier In order to obtain a CPAP machine, your primary care doctor must sign an order or prescription stating that it is medically necessary to help with sleep apnea. Medicare will only cover your durable medical equipment (DME) if the supplier your order is sent to is enrolled in Medicare. Owning the DME Depending on the DME, you may have the option to either rent or buy it. Most equipment is initially rented and Original Medicare will pay 80% of the monthly rental fee for 13 months. You’ll pay the remaining 20%. After 13 months, you will own the machine. How Much Does a CPAP Machine Cost With Medicare? Medicare typically covers the most basic level of equipment, and it may not pay for upgrades. In the case where Medicare doesn’t cover upgrades or extra features, you’ll need to sign an Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) before you get the equipment. Your out-of-pocket cost for renting a CPAP machine and buying related supplies like masks and tubing is 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. The Part B deductible applies. In addition, you must consistently use the CPAP machine for 13 months in order for Medicare to cover the cost of renting it. After 13 months, you will fully own the machine. Medicare Advantage Plans set their own rates for DME coverage. Your plan may require you to secure approval before making an order, order from in-network providers, or use preferred DME brands. Your plan may reduce or deny coverage for the DME if you don’t follow these rules. The Bottom Line The rules of how DMEs are covered, including CPAP machines, are generally the same whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. However, the amount you pay with Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage Plan may often differ. Compare Medicare and Medicare Advantage to learn more. Medicare also covers specific prescription medications and supplies used with a DME, even if they’re disposable or can only be used once. Medicare will only cover your CPAP machine if you get it from a supplier approved by Medicare and holds a Medicare supplier number. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How often can I get a new CPAP machine while on Medicare? Once you’ve continuously used your CPAP machine for the approved 13-month rental, you will own it. However, CPAP supplies may lose effectiveness with use, and Medicare covers their replacement. Guidelines suggest replacing a CPAP mask every three months and a non-disposable filter every six months. How do I get CPAP supplies covered by Medicare? Medicare will only help cover CPAP supplies and accessories if you get them from a Medicare-approved contract supplier after completing the necessary medical steps. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. U.S. Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services. “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy For Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).” United Healthcare Medical Advantage. “Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea,” Page 4. Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. “Medicare Minute Teaching Materials – August 2015, Durable Medical Equipment,” page 2. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Replacement Schedule for Medicare Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Supplies,” Page 6.