How Do You Get A CPAP Machine? Do You Need A Prescription?
If you’re in the process of determining if you need a CPAP machine or if you have a prescription and just need to figure out where and how to get a CPAP, then this article is for you.
Do You Need A Prescription To Get A CPAP Machine? Yes, you do. CPAPs are Class II medical devices and can not be purchased without a prescription.
You do need to see a doctor and there are some hurdles that you have to clear before you can begin to use a CPAP. There are reasons for all this, and they are found below.
First, Let’s Review Why You Might Need A CPAP
If your doctor diagnosed you with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) he may want you to wear a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine while sleeping. This equipment is bulky and will take some time to become accustomed to. But using the machine for your sleep apnea will not only give you better sleep, but it will also help save your life.
During sleep apnea, blockages in your airway will produce periods of apnea causing long pauses in breathing for a few seconds at a time while you sleep. CPAP is used to treat Osa and the machine consists of a mask that goes over your nose or your nose and the mouth together. The mask provides continuous pressure into the airways keeping it open and preventing blockage.
During periods of sleep apnea your blood oxygen level decreases causing your heart to work extra hard to transport oxygen through the body. Because of this, your blood pressure and heart rate become elevated and this puts extra stress on the heart
How Do You Know If You Have Sleep Apnea?
If you live alone or your partner is a very sound sleeper, you may have no idea if you have sleep apnea or not. The symptoms you want to watch out for include:
- Feeling tired when you wake up
- Restless sleep, waking up frequently during the night
- Occasional waking up with a gasping or choking sensation
- Morning headaches
- Lacking concentration
- Feeling sleepy throughout the day
What Are The Risks Of NOT Treating Your Sleep Apnea?
You may think that your sleep apnea isn’t that big of a deal. You don’t need that much sleep anyway. However, there are some very serious medical problems that can be brought on or worsened by also having untreated sleep apnea. These include:
- High Blood Pressure
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Depression
- Worsening of depression
So How Do You Get A CPAP Machine?
There are likely going to be two steps involved in getting a CPAP machine. They are as follows:
See Your Doctor
After discussing why you’re there and listening to your history, your doctor will first conduct a thorough medical examination. They will check your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs, and likely want to run a variety of blood tests to assess your overall health.
Once they have thoroughly evaluated you, they will likely then order a sleep study if they suspect you have sleep apnea.
Participate In A Sleep Study
There are two ways you can get tested for sleep apnea. If your doctor suspects that you might have a serious case of sleep apnea, they will likely want you to visit a sleep center instead of conducting a test at home.
- At-Home Testing
If your doctor thinks at-home testing is alright for you, they will either provide you with the proper equipment for testing or have the equipment shipped to you in the mail.
The home sleep equipment is usually composed of a machine with various sensors. When you are ready for bed, you connect the sensors to the appropriate places on your body (you will get instructions on how to use this machine) and turn the machine on.
In the morning you remove the sensors and send the machine back to where it came from (the doctor’s office or via the mail). A qualified sleep technician will receive your test results, review them and contact your doctor.
- In-Lab Sleep Study
A lab sleep study (polysomnography) takes place overnight in a sleep lab while you are connected to various machines that monitor apneas. This study gives detailed results recording how long you stop breathing when you sleep.
Find A Local Sleep Center Here
There will be all sorts of electrodes placed on your head and other areas of your body during the study. You also will likely wear a special belt that will also help to measure breathing. While it may be a bit uncomfortable at first, this truly the most detailed way of testing you for sleep apnea.
Typical recordings include how hard your body breathes, how much your chin and limbs move, your eye movements, heart rate, your pulse oximetery, and more. This information will be used to determine settings to be used on your CPAP machine.
At-home sleep apnea tests are cheaper than lab sleep studies but the lab studies give more detailed information about your condition.
Do You Need A Prescription To Get a CPAP Machine?
Since the CPAP machine falls within Class II Medical Device, a prescription is required for distribution. CPAP therapy is the best treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and before you can begin therapy the disorder must be diagnosed through a sleep study which will determine the severity and the existence OSA.
After it is determined that you have OSA and that CPAP therapy is the appropriate treatment, a prescription for a CPAP machine must be given before the equipment can be issued.
Reasons for the requirement for a prescription to purchase CPAP medical equipment include:
- Required by insurance to cover payments.
- The prescription states the pressure settings obtained from the results of the sleep study. These settings can only be determined by a board-certified sleep specialist who interpreted the sleep study.
- You get diagnosed with central sleep apnea instead of obstructive sleep apnea
What Is Central Sleep Apnea?
In central sleep apnea, your breathing repeatedly stops and starts while you sleep. This occurs when your brain does not send proper signals to the muscles which control breathing. Central sleep apnea is not as common as obstructive sleep apnea.
Central sleep apnea requires treatment with a different PAP machine that deals with central events. Examples are a BiPAP machine or ASV machine.
How Much Does a CPAP Machine Cost?
The cost of a CPAP machine can vary considerably depending on where you purchase it. There are two ways to get a CPAP machine:
- You may work with your doctor who has contact with a CPAP supplier also known as a Durable Medical Equipment provider (DME).
- You may purchase a CPAP machine online. Searching for the machine online allows you the largest selection and increases your chances of finding just the right machine for your needs at competitive prices.
Purchasing Your CPAP Machine Through Your Insurance
When you purchase your CPAP machine through your insurance is usually more expensive than buying it online.
Here are other facts to consider when purchasing your CPAP through your insurance:
- Your insurance may not pick up most of the cost. If your insurance deductible has not been met you will have to pay for the cost of the machine.
- Your insurance may charge you a monthly rental for the use of the machine. The insurance company can check daily use of the machine for “compliance monitoring” and if you fail to use it for a few days they may take it away from you.
- With your insurance, you may end up paying for the machine fully one way or another: by renting the machine and paying more than it’s worth by the time you complete your payments, by having to buy it outright if your deductible has not been met or, with Medicare, you will pay 20% of the upfront cost and then have to rent it for the next thirteen months.
- You do not have the option to select a specific machine and you may not get the best quality machine.
Purchasing Your CPAP Machine Online
The parts of a CPAP machine include the CPAP machine, CPAP hose, CPAP mask, CPAP supplies, and accessories. You may also purchase a humidifier but this is an option. For a quality CPAP machine the costs are as follows:
- CPAP machine itself – $300 – $500
- CPAP mask – $50-$150
- CPAP hose – $30
- CPAP humidifier – $125
Care should be taken when purchasing your first CPAP machine. Typically the cost of a CPAP machine would not include accessories such as filters and hoses. You will need to purchase these items separately or you may choose a CPAP setup that includes these accessories.
When you purchase your CPAP machine online you will be purchasing from retailers who are competing by offering the lowest price allowed by the CPAP manufacturer. This is what many consumers will expect and why purchasing your machine online is a better option than purchasing through your insurance company.
In Conclusion
If you suffer from daytime fatigue and sleepiness and you are looking to increase your total sleep time and want to feel more refreshed and energized, contact your doctor to see if you are suffering from sleep apnea and how a CPAP machine can help improve your sleep and your health.