Does Medicare Cover CPAP Machines and Supplies?

Medicare Part B covers CPAP, but it requires a sleep test and a trial period.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.

Updated · 1 min read
Profile photo of John Rossheim
Written by John Rossheim
Profile photo of Marcia Mantell
Reviewed by Marcia Mantell
Profile photo of Holly Carey
Edited by Holly Carey
Assigning Editor
Fact Checked

Medicare pays most costs of CPAP, or continuous positive airway pressure therapy, a common treatment for people with obstructive sleep apnea. To get coverage, you’ll need a physician to prescribe a CPAP machine based on tests — including a sleep study that can be done either at home or in a lab setting — showing that you have obstructive sleep apnea, or OSA.

OSA is a serious condition that — in addition to disturbing your sleep — increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and depression. A CPAP machine provides continuous positive airway pressure through a mask to keep your upper airway clear for easier breathing, better sleep and improved overall health.

Shopping for Medicare plans? We have you covered.

Medicare Advantage is an alternative to traditional Medicare offered by private health insurers. It covers the same benefits as Medicare Part A and Part B.
    Advertisement
    insurance-product-card-logo
    UnitedHealthcare

    3.93

    CMS Star Rating

    from UnitedHealthcare

      States available
      49 states and Washington, D.C.
      Members in high-rated plans
      Medium (50% to 84%)
      Member satisfaction
      Average
    (855) 821-0556
    / TTY 711
    Call UnitedHealthcare
    insurance-product-card-logo
    Humana

    3.63

    CMS Star Rating

    on NerdWallet

      States available
      48 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico
      Members in high-rated plans
      Low (49% or less)
      Member satisfaction
      Above average
    (855) 432-0512
    / TTY 711
    M-F 8am-10pm EST, Sa-Su 9am-9pm EST
    Speak to a licensed insurance agent on askchapter.org
See more plans

What’s required to get coverage for CPAP

Medicare Part B covers CPAP therapy in two stages. There’s a three-month trial period prescribed by your doctor to determine if CPAP works for you; this option doesn’t work for everyone. You'll need to give this therapy a good try and use the apparatus continuously for a specified period of time each night and during the trial months.

If the trial is successful, there’s a rental period of up to 13 months, after which you own the machine. To obtain coverage, you must rent the machine from a Medicare-approved supplier of durable medical equipment. And, importantly, you must continue to use the CPAP machine without interruption in order to get cost help from Medicare. Use of the machine is tracked using various technologies.

But even before you begin the trial, you must have a sleep test to determine that you meet the clinical criteria for obstructive sleep apnea. The good news is that if home sleep test equipment is available through a local physician’s office or sleep clinic, you need not spend the night in a sleep lab.

CPAP therapy comes with continuing expenses

CPAP therapy requires periodic purchase of replacement supplies, including masks, filters, headgear, the water reservoir in the humidifier and the tubing that connects the CPAP machine with your face mask. Medicare has an approved schedule for replacing supplies and covers them on varying schedules. Your CPAP supplier should be willing to help you optimize the timing of these purchases.

Not all supplies are covered under Medicare Part B. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the additional supplies you’ll need.

What you pay for CPAP

Because CPAP is covered as durable medical equipment, the Medicare Part B deductible applies; it’s $240 in 2024 ($257 in 2025). Then you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the CPAP machine rental and ongoing supply purchases. If you have a Medigap plan, your 20% share should be picked up by your supplemental coverage.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it may or may not cover the full costs of CPAP machines or supplies. Each plan can be different, so make sure you check your plan document or contact your plan provider to see what's covered.

An important note: Double-check that both your doctor and your CPAP supplier are enrolled in Medicare. If not, you may be charged a non-Medicare (usually higher) rate for your supplies and equipment and Medicare will not pay the 80% share.

Medicare will have big changes in 2025. Compare Medigap plans

MORE LIKE THISMedicareInsurance
Get more smart money moves – straight to your inbox
Sign up and we’ll send you Nerdy articles about the money topics that matter most to you along with other ways to help you get more from your money.