A standard CPAP machine typically costs between $500 and $1,000 out of pocket. But the total price depends on the type of device you need, whether insurance covers it, and the ongoing cost of supplies like masks and tubing. Here’s what to expect across different machine types and payment options.
Cost by Machine Type
The three main types of positive airway pressure machines sit at different price points, and your prescription will determine which one you need.
A basic CPAP machine delivers air at one fixed pressure setting and runs between $500 and $1,000. This is the most commonly prescribed type. An APAP machine (auto-adjusting) automatically raises or lowers pressure throughout the night based on your breathing, and costs between $600 and $1,600. A BiPAP machine, which delivers different pressures for inhaling and exhaling, is the most expensive at $1,700 to $3,000. BiPAP is typically reserved for people who need higher pressure settings or have certain conditions like central sleep apnea.
To put specific numbers on it: the ResMed AirSense 11, one of the most popular auto-adjusting models on the market, retails for roughly $950 to $1,100. Its predecessor, the AirSense 10, runs $800 to $1,000 and is still widely available.
Travel and Portable Machines
If you travel frequently, a compact travel CPAP is a separate purchase from your home machine. Current models range from about $625 to $1,000, with options like the Breas Z2 Auto on the lower end and the AirSense 11 at the higher end. These devices are significantly smaller and lighter than standard machines but deliver the same therapy.
One important catch: most insurance providers will not cover a travel CPAP machine. You’ll almost certainly pay out of pocket for one, either through an online retailer or a durable medical equipment supplier.
What Insurance Typically Covers
Most private insurance plans cover CPAP therapy, but the details vary widely. Many insurers use a rental model rather than paying for the machine outright, and your share of the cost depends on your deductible and copay structure.
Medicare Part B covers CPAP machines as a 13-month rental. After you meet your Part B deductible, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the machine rental and related supplies like masks and tubing. Once Medicare has made rental payments for 13 continuous months, you own the machine. Many private insurers follow a similar rental-to-own structure.
There’s a compliance requirement tied to that coverage. You need to use your CPAP for at least 4 hours per night on 70% of nights within a consecutive 30-day period, and you must meet this threshold within your first 90 days. In practical terms, that means wearing it at least 21 out of 30 nights. Your machine tracks this data automatically. If you don’t meet the requirement, your insurer can stop covering the rental and reclaim the equipment.
The Cost Before You Get a Machine
Before you can purchase or rent a CPAP, you need a sleep apnea diagnosis, which means a sleep study. This is a cost many people don’t anticipate.
An at-home sleep test, where you wear a portable monitor overnight in your own bed, ranges from $150 to about $1,000. An in-lab polysomnography study, conducted overnight at a sleep center with full monitoring, averages around $3,000 and can exceed $10,000 depending on your location and facility. Insurance typically covers sleep studies when ordered by a physician, but your out-of-pocket share depends on your plan. Most people start with a home test, which is sufficient for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in straightforward cases.
Buying Refurbished or Used
Refurbished CPAP machines can cost roughly half the price of a new unit. These are previously owned machines that have been inspected, cleaned, and restored to working condition by a supplier. If you’re paying out of pocket and want to reduce costs, this is one of the most effective ways to do it.
Keep in mind that you still need a valid prescription to purchase any CPAP machine, whether new or refurbished. You’ll also want to buy from a reputable supplier that replaces consumable parts like filters and provides a warranty. Buying a used machine from an individual seller (through a marketplace or classified ad) carries more risk since you can’t verify the machine’s history or condition with the same confidence.
Ongoing Supply Costs
The machine itself is only part of the expense. CPAP masks, tubing, filters, and water chambers all need regular replacement. A replacement mask typically costs $50 to $150 depending on the style (nasal pillow, nasal, or full face). Tubing runs $15 to $30, and filters cost a few dollars each. Most suppliers recommend replacing your mask every 3 to 6 months, tubing every 3 months, and filters monthly.
Over the course of a year, supply costs can add $200 to $500 or more to your total. Insurance and Medicare generally cover replacement supplies on a set schedule, though you’ll still owe your copay or coinsurance portion. If you’re buying supplies out of pocket, online retailers often offer bundle deals or subscription plans that bring the per-item cost down compared to purchasing through a traditional medical equipment supplier.