​​​​​​​Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy is a treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (also called OSA or sleep apnea). This information will help you understand your options before you buy your own CPAP therapy equipment.

What should happen before I buy CPAP therapy equipment?

Here are the steps you need to take before you buy CPAP therapy equipment:

1. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms.
2. Get a diagnosis of OSA .
3. Understand your treatment options.
4. Test CPAP therapy to see if it works for you.
5. Talk to your doctor about testing CPAP therapy equipment and if it made your symptoms better.
6. Decide with your doctor that CPAP therapy is right for you.
7. Get a prescription from your doctor for your CPAP therapy equipment settings.

How do I pay for CPAP therapy equipment?

You can buy or rent CPAP therapy equipment. The price of CPAP therapy equipment is different depending on the type of equipment and if you need extra parts (accessories) or services.

At this time, Alberta Health doesn't cover the cost of CPAP therapy equipment and accessories.

If you have health insurance, CPAP therapy equipment and accessories may be covered like other health services. The following programs may also cover the cost of CPAP therapy equipment:​

• Alberta Works
• Seniors Assistance Program
• Non-Insured Health Benefits program
• Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped
• Veterans Affairs

Ask a CPAP provider in your area if they offer payment options or payment plans.​​

Why is the cost of CPAP therapy equipment different depending on where I buy it?

In Canada, CPAP therapy equipment and accessories cost between $1,600 and $2,800. The price depends on many factors:

• ​the support you may need from a registered respiratory therapist
• ​the CPAP therapy equipment manufacturer’s warranty
• the types of settings or options on the CPAP therapy equipment
• the type of CPAP therapy equipment package you buy such as one with a humidifier, extra masks, tubing covers, or other accessories
• the type of CPAP therapy equipment you need, such as fixed pressure equipment (where the pressure stays the same) or auto-adjustable pressure equipment (also called auto CPAP or APAP, where the equipment changes pressure depending on your needs)
• where you buy your CPAP therapy equipment (Some CPAP providers may offer lower prices depending on how much equipment they buy.)

Bi-level pressure units (BPAP) are a different type of therapy equipment with different prices than CPAP therapy equipment. Many people who need BPAP therapy can get government funding to help pay for the equipment. Talk to your healthcare team about your options to pay for BPAP therapy equipment if you need it.

Where can I buy CPAP therapy equipment?

You can buy CPAP therapy equipment from a provider in your area or online. It's important to understand the differences to decide which option is best for you.​

Local CPAP providers

If you are new to CPAP therapy, it's best to rent or buy CPAP therapy equipment from a local CPAP provider that does the following:​

• follows the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta’s Sleep Medicine Diagnostic accreditation standards that protect patient safety and quality of care
• tells you where to get help with filling out applications to help cover the cost of the equipment
• fits you for a mask, let you try on masks before you buy, and help you with your equipment if you have trouble using it
• gives you information about how to keep your equipment clean and working well
• talks to you about what their costs include, such as respiratory therapist support, how long they offer support, and if they will give you new equipment if yours wears out
• shares how you’re doing with your healthcare team and clinics (with your permission)
• loans you CPAP therapy equipment if your own equipment needs to be cleaned, checked, or repaired
• follows up with you to see how well your therapy and the equipment are working

Online CPAP providers

Here's what you need to do if you choose to buy CPAP therapy equipment online:​​

• Look for an online provider that asks for a prescription from your doctor before they sell the equipment.
• Do research to make sure you are buying from an online company with a good reputation and service.

Ask an online company questions such as these:

• What services do you offer and what are the costs? For example, do they offer:​
  • support for setting up your equipment and using your equipment
  • repairs
  • follow up
  • a way to share the results of your treatment with your healthcare team
• Will the equipment work with Canadian computer systems? Does it store at least 200 days of information? You may need to share this information with your healthcare and insurance providers.
• Can I try a mask first before I buy it? How long can I try it for?
• What is your equipment warranty? Equipment bought in Canada usually has a warranty of 3 years and should have a CSA stamp on it.

Using second-hand equipment

You should only use CPAP therapy if you have a prescription from your doctor.

Second-hand CPAP therapy equipment may save money, but if you don't have support for using it, it may not work or work as well for you. And it can be hard to know if a second-hand machine works well and if there is still warranty on it.

Each CPAP machine must be set for the person using it. Using a machine that is set for someone else could be harmful to your health.

Before using second-hand CPAP therapy equipment, make sure it's clean and works as it should. It's a good idea to have the equipment cleaned and inspected by a CPAP provider in your area. You will need to pay for this service. 

What do I need to know if my child needs CPAP therapy equipment?

Make sure your child has fixed pressure CPAP therapy equipment. Children should not use auto-adjustable pressure CPAP equipment.

Make sure your child is fitted for and tests a mask for children (called a pediatric mask) instead of an adult mask.

Get help from professionals who work with children needing CPAP therapy equipment. CPAP therapy and follow-up care for children are different than for adults.

For more information​

• Talk to your family doctor or sleep care provider.
• Go to CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea.