You can get a CPAP machine through a local durable medical equipment (DME) supplier, an online CPAP retailer, or directly through a sleep clinic. All three options require a valid prescription from a licensed provider before you can purchase or receive a device. The process starts with a sleep study, moves to a prescription, and then you choose where to buy.
You Need a Prescription First
CPAP machines are classified as medical devices by the FDA, so no legitimate seller will ship one without a prescription. Several types of providers can write that prescription: primary care physicians, sleep medicine specialists, pulmonologists, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners.
Before writing the prescription, your provider will order a sleep test. This can happen in a sleep lab (an overnight study called a polysomnogram) or at home using a portable monitoring device. The test measures how many times per hour your breathing stops or becomes shallow. If that number hits 15 or more events per hour, you qualify. If it falls between 5 and 14 events per hour, you can still qualify with documented symptoms like excessive daytime sleepiness, high blood pressure, heart disease, mood disorders, or a history of stroke.
In most states, a CPAP prescription stays valid for 12 months. A few states allow longer windows: Idaho, Illinois, and Maine allow 15 months, Iowa allows 18 months, and South Carolina allows up to 24 months. After your prescription expires, you’ll need a follow-up visit to renew it.
Local DME Suppliers
Durable medical equipment companies are the traditional route. These are local or regional businesses that work directly with your insurance, handle the paperwork, and often have staff who can fit your mask in person. Sleep clinics frequently refer patients to a specific DME provider they partner with, and your insurance company may have a preferred or contracted supplier as well.
The biggest advantage of a local DME supplier is hands-on support. Getting the right mask fit matters a lot for comfort and effectiveness, and a skilled technician can adjust things in ways that are hard to replicate by ordering online. If you’re new to CPAP therapy, this guidance during the first few weeks can make the difference between sticking with treatment and giving up.
The downside is inconsistency. Customer service quality varies dramatically between companies. Some patients report excellent ongoing support, while others describe weeks-long delays, wrong supplies, and difficulty reaching anyone by phone. If your insurance assigns you a DME provider and the experience is poor, you can ask your insurance company about switching to a different in-network supplier.
Online CPAP Retailers
Buying online is straightforward. You select a machine, upload or fax your prescription, and the retailer verifies it before shipping. If you try to order without a prescription ready, expect delays. Most online stores carry a wider selection of machines and masks than a typical local supplier, and prices are often lower, especially if you’re paying out of pocket.
Online purchasing works best for people who already know what they need. If you’ve been on CPAP therapy for a while and want to replace your machine or reorder supplies, the process is simple and usually cheaper. For first-time users who haven’t tried different mask styles, ordering online means more guesswork. You may end up returning a mask or two before finding the right fit.
Several large online retailers specialize in CPAP equipment, and your doctor’s office can typically fax the prescription directly to whichever one you choose. Compare prices across a few sites, since the same machine can vary by $100 or more between sellers.
Through Your Sleep Clinic
Some sleep medicine practices sell or dispense CPAP equipment directly after your diagnosis. This is the most streamlined option because the same team diagnosing you also sets up your device, calibrates the pressure settings, and fits your mask. Not all clinics offer this, but it’s worth asking. The trade-off is that you may have fewer device and mask options to choose from compared to a large online retailer.
What About Used Machines?
Used CPAP machines are sold through online marketplaces and secondhand sellers, but this route comes with real risks. Used devices lack a manufacturer warranty, may have deteriorating components, and carry hygiene concerns that are difficult to fully resolve with cleaning. You also have no way to verify how the machine was maintained or whether it’s functioning correctly. A legitimate seller will still ask for your prescription, which is a sign they’re following FDA regulations. Buying from an individual seller bypasses those safeguards entirely, and the machine won’t be calibrated to your specific pressure needs.
How Much a CPAP Machine Costs
A standard CPAP machine typically costs between $500 and $1,000. Auto-adjusting models (APAP), which automatically vary pressure throughout the night based on your breathing, run between $600 and $1,600. Bilevel machines (BiPAP), which use different pressures for inhaling and exhaling, are the most expensive at $1,700 to $3,000.
Most insurance plans cover CPAP therapy with a confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis, though coverage terms vary. Medicare covers a 12-week trial of CPAP therapy, including the device and accessories. After that trial period, continued coverage requires an in-person visit with your doctor to document that the therapy is working. Private insurers often have similar compliance requirements, and some structure the arrangement as a rental that converts to ownership after a set number of months.
Replacement Supplies Add Up
The machine itself is a one-time purchase, but masks, tubing, and filters need regular replacement. Insurance typically follows a standard schedule: one new mask every 3 months, two disposable filters per month, and one reusable filter every 6 months. You can order replacement supplies from the same DME provider or online retailer where you bought the machine.
Manufacturers generally recommend replacing parts less frequently than insurance allows, noting that the real timeline depends on how you clean your equipment and the environment you use it in. A mask should be replaced when it becomes cracked or loses its seal, and filters should be swapped when visibly dirty or damaged. If your supplies are holding up well, there’s no need to replace them on a rigid schedule just because insurance permits it. That said, a worn-out mask that leaks air will undermine your therapy, so don’t push components too far past their useful life either.
Whether you go through a local supplier, an online store, or your sleep clinic, the key steps are the same: get your sleep study, secure your prescription, and then shop based on your priorities, whether that’s in-person support, price, or selection.