How to Buy a CPAP Machine: Improve Your Sleep and Overall Wellbeing

There are several ways to improve sleep and reduce the symptoms of sleep apnea; however, relying on them solely isn’t advised. Given that sleep apnea is a serious condition that can pose several health risks, treating it is the right thing to do.

Usually, after seeing a professional, the patient is advised to use a CPAP machine, which is a medical device used to treat sleep-related breathing disorders. Since the initial cost of these devices can be high, buying during sale days, promotions and discounts is a mindful solution. In fact, buying a CPAP machine on sale can help sleep apnea sufferers save a lot of money while helping them get the right treatment.

Can You Buy a CPAP Machine on Your Own?

Buying such a machine on your own is possible, with a valid prescription from a doctor or a confirmed sleep study diagnosis. Then and only then can you buy one from retailers that specialise in these devices. The best thing is that these stores have frequent sales and promotions, so finding quality and reliable CPAP machines on sale won’t be that hard.

How to Buy/Find Such Machines?

On Sale

The first and most sought-after way to buy quieter and advanced CPAP machines on sale is from online stores. And no, buying affordable models doesn’t mean purchasing refurbished or second-hand machines, but discounted ones. Unlike traditional sales in stores, online sales offer better deals and easier access to the more advanced, quieter and improved models of these machines.

Whether interested in the ones coming from the trusted and reputable brands like ResMed and Philips Respironics, finding a good deal online isn’t that hard. All it takes is following social media, subscribing to some trusted online stores, and taking advantage of their online deals.

One thing is for sure, buying such machines on sale can help one save a lot, especially when buying during some huge sales like Cyber Monday, Black Friday, Christmas and Easter sales. Luckily for customers, these discounts allow them to take advantage of some really good deals and buy even the newest and most advanced models available on the market.

The greatest thing of all is that such sales may usually include accessories like tubing, filters and masks that can really increase the value of the purchase. And even if you take advantage of an online deal, this doesn’t mean that the warranty will be reduced or nonexistent. Even when bought online, these machines come with a warranty, and this is something that you cannot obtain when buying from some suspicious sellers, private sellers and second-hand stores.

In the end, buying online and on sale can help you get a device tailored to your specific needs, but less costly. However, it’s of vital importance for one to remember that even when purchasing online, a doctor’s prescription will be needed for finalising the deal.

With Insurance Coverage

In those times when one needs to start with the treatment immediately and cannot wait for sales, buying it with insurance coverage is possible. Insurance can help with the upfront costs for sure, and most of these policies might cover at least part of the costs for the therapy, especially the costs for the machine and mask.

Some of them can also cover the expenses for replacement parts and cleaning supplies, however, this depends on the company and the policy. According to many users, most of them feel less pressure and more confident going through insurance because they have the chance to return their machine to a local DME seller in case the machine doesn’t meet their needs within 90 days. Those who plan to use insurance to pay for their CPAP machine should double-check their policy and check the store where they plan to make the purchase.

With a Prescription

Whether buying online or in-store, having a prescription is essential for being able to buy the machine itself. Usually, the customer is obliged to show/upload a copy of the prescription in order to be able to buy the needed device. Buying one with a prescription is also essential for setting the machine right and having a successful CPAP treatment. Otherwise, one risks obtaining the low/high level of air pressure, which can be harmful to health.

In case one doesn’t have a prescription, there are some specialised sleep apnea retailers that offer an at-home sleep apnea test that allows the customers to perform the test themselves at home. However, these tests aren’t to be entirely trusted, which is why specialists recommend booking an appointment to confirm the diagnosis with a licensed physician.

How to Find the Right One?

Prescription Requirement

When in the search for the right machine, it’s of vital importance that customers are asked for prescription. If not, this is a red flag that the chosen store might be selling machines that aren’t original or ones that don’t meet the standards. Consequently, such machines won’t come with the needed warranty.

Don’t Buy from Third-Party Marketplaces

Even though over the years the third-party marketplaces have bloomed, customers need to avoid buying such machines from sellers like Amazon and eBay because it’s difficult to verify which ones are real. Practice shows that a great number of these machines on such sites are used, or don’t meet the most recent safety standards.

Look for Warranties and Trials

Buying from a trusted and reputable store means that its customers can receive the machines with a warranty and a trial period of about 90 days, which allows them to test the machine. Sometimes, some patients find it difficult to get used to the specific machine, so they might need to return it.