Sleep Apnea 101 | CPAP Machine | Cost | Accessories | Cleaning | Where to buy
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects millions of people in the United States.
It occurs when a person’s airway becomes blocked during sleep, preventing them from getting the oxygen they need.
This can lead to snoring, restless sleep, and even health problems like heart disease and stroke.
A CPAP machine is the most common treatment for sleep apnea.
This device blows air into your nose and mouth while you sleep, keeping your airway open and preventing episodes of apnea.
But how much does a CPAP machine cost? In this article, we will answer that question and more.
What is sleep apnea?
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing during sleep.
This can happen many times during the night, which means your body doesn’t get the oxygen it needs and can lead to a number of health problems and poor sleep quality.
When you have sleep apnea, you snore loudly and might stop breathing for a few seconds at a time.
This can lead to daytime sleepiness, problems with your work or school performance, and a decreased quality of life.
There are several common symptoms for those who suffer from sleep apnea.
These most common symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- Snoring loudly
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
- Headaches when you wake up in the morning
- Dry mouth or a sore throat when you wake up in the morning
There are three main types of sleep apnea and they are all treated differently:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is the most common type
- Central sleep apnea (CSA)
- Mixed sleep apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. This type happens when the airway becomes blocked during sleep, preventing you from getting the oxygen you need.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is a less common type of sleep apnea that occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to your lungs telling them to breathe. Mixed sleep apnea is a combination of the two.
What is a CPAP machine?
A CPAP machine is the most common treatment for sleep apnea.
A CPAP machine is an oral appliance that keeps your airway open while you sleep by providing positive air pressure.
This means that it will push air into your airway to keep it open.
CPAP machines are not the only medical equipment capable of providing sleep apnea treatments as fixed pressure and automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) machines are also possibilities as a treatment for sleep apnea.
A fixed pressure machine will provide the same amount of pressure all night long. An APAP machine will adjust the pressure depending on how you are sleeping.
This means that if the machine senses that you are having trouble breathing, it will increase the pressure to help keep your airway open.
Some people also use a bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machine.
A BiPAP machine provides two different levels of pressure, one for when you are breathing in and one for when you are breathing out. This is helpful for people who have more severe sleep apnea.
What is the cost of a CPAP machine?
The cost of a CPAP machine can vary depending on the type of machine that you get.
A fixed pressure CPAP machine will typically cost on average around $500 although they can range upwards of $800.
An APAP machine can cost on average around $800 to $1000 but they can cost even more than that.
Lastly, a BiPAP machine will typically cost around $1300 and can range into thousands of dollars.
What accessories will I need and how much do they cost?
You will also need to purchase a CPAP mask and tubing.
The average cost of a CPAP mask is around $100 to $150 and this normally includes the straps and cushions with the cushions and filter being replaced monthly.
The average cost of CPAP tubing is anywhere from $5 to $30 and should be replaced every 3 months.
CPAP filters cost around the same price range too and should be replaced monthly. You will also need a humidifier if your machine doesn’t have one already and the average cost for that is around $100 to $300.
So, if you were to purchase a CPAP machine, mask, tubing, humidifier, and filters the total cost would be anywhere from $700 to $2000.
There are other accessories that you might want or need for your CPAP machine. You might want a carrying case to take your machine with you on the go.
The average cost for a carrying case is around $30. If you are traveling and need power, you can purchase an adapter that will allow your machine to run off of different types of power sources.
The average cost for an adapter is around $60. If you are a smoker, you might want to purchase a smoke eater for your machine. The average cost for this is around $100.
Lastly, if you are having trouble with leaks, you can purchase a chin strap or headgear. The average cost of these is around $25 each.
How much do cleaning supplies for the machine cost?
Cleaning supplies for your CPAP machine are important to keep it running properly. If you would like to clean your CPAP machine by hand.
The average cost of cleaning supplies is around $15 and should be cleaned weekly as the mask and tubing are subject to mold due to condensation.
Some things you will need to clean your machine include a brush, wipes, and tubing cleaner.
There are also CPAP cleaning machines that will do the cleaning for you and these can cost anywhere from $60 to $400.
Where can I buy a CPAP machine?
CPAP machines can be bought at most medical supply stores or online. If you are looking to buy a machine with insurance, be sure to check with your provider as some offer machines for free or at a reduced cost.
Also, if you are using insurance you will need a prescription from a doctor for the machine.
This will involve doing a sleep study with a sleep specialist or doctor to determine if you have sleep apnea and the severity of it.
Is it cheaper to buy a machine with or without insurance?
It typically is cheaper to buy a CPAP machine with insurance as the copay or deductible is typically lower than the cost of the machine itself.
However, some insurance providers do not cover CPAP machines or only offer a limited number per year.
If you are not covered by insurance or if your insurance company does not cover the type of machine you need, then you will have to buy the machine without insurance.
Summary
A CPAP machine and its accessories typically cost between $700 and $2000 although fixed pressure, APAP, and BiPAP machines also provide other treatment options.
You will need to purchase a mask, tubing, humidifier, and filters for the machine among other accessories.
Cleaning supplies for the machine should cost around $15 and should be cleaned weekly while there are also CPAP cleaning machines available for a higher price.
CPAP machines can be bought at most medical supply stores or online. If you are not covered by insurance or if your health insurance company does not cover the type of machine you need, then you will have to buy the machine without insurance.
It typically is cheaper to buy a CPAP machine with insurance. However, some insurance companies do not cover CPAP machines or only offer a limited number per year.
If you are using insurance you will need a prescription from a doctor for the machine.
This will involve doing a sleep study with a sleep specialist or doctor to determine if you have sleep apnea and how severe it is. If you have any further questions please talk to your doctor, sleep specialist, or healthcare provider for more details.
References, Studies and Sources.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleep_apnea
Owner, entrepreneur, and health enthusiast.
Chris is one of the Co-Founders of Pharmacists.org. An entrepreneur at heart, Chris has been building and writing in consumer health for over 10 years. In addition to Pharmacists.org, Chris and his Acme Health LLC Brand Team own and operate Diabetic.org and the USA Rx Pharmacy Discount Card powered by Pharmacists.org.
Chris has a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation and is a proud member of the American Medical Writer’s Association (AMWA), the International Society for Medical Publication Professionals (ISMPP), the National Association of Science Writers (NASW), the Council of Science Editors, the Author’s Guild, and the Editorial Freelance Association (EFA).
Our growing team of healthcare experts work everyday to create accurate and informative health content in addition to the keeping you up to date on the latest news and research.
