Does Medicare cover CPAP machines?
Usually covered
Medicare Part B covers CPAP machines as durable medical equipment for diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea, starting with a 3-month trial — continued coverage after that depends on documented, compliant use.
- Covered when A Medicare-covered sleep study documents obstructive sleep apnea and your doctor writes an order for CPAP therapy.
- Not when After the initial 3-month trial, your doctor doesn't document that the therapy is working and that you're using the machine consistently — Medicare can stop paying for continued therapy at that point.
- Not when You get the machine or supplies from a supplier that isn't enrolled in Medicare.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
A Medicare-covered sleep study documents obstructive sleep apnea and your doctor writes an order for CPAP therapy.
- Not covered when
After the initial 3-month trial, your doctor doesn't document that the therapy is working and that you're using the machine consistently — Medicare can stop paying for continued therapy at that point.
- Not covered when
You get the machine or supplies from a supplier that isn't enrolled in Medicare.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Usually covered
- Applies to
- CPAP machines · Medicare
- Covered when
- A Medicare-covered sleep study documents obstructive sleep apnea and your doctor writes an order for CPAP therapy.
- Not covered when
- After the initial 3-month trial, your doctor doesn't document that the therapy is working and that you're using the machine consistently — Medicare can stop paying for continued therapy at that point.
- Verified
- 2026-07-03 · 3 primary sources
CPAP therapy falls under Medicare's durable medical equipment (DME) benefit. Part B covers the machine, along with masks, tubing, and other supplies, once a Medicare-covered sleep study documents a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and a doctor writes an order for treatment.
Coverage starts with a 12-week (3-month) trial period. To continue coverage past the trial, your doctor has to document — usually through a follow-up visit and data from the machine itself — that CPAP therapy is actually helping and that you're using it consistently. Medicare can stop paying if that compliant-use documentation isn't there.
CPAP machines are typically covered on a rental basis rather than purchased outright, with ownership transferring to you after a set rental period. Supplies that wear out — masks, cushions, tubing, filters — are covered on their own replacement schedules, separate from the machine itself.
What people typically pay
After meeting the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for the machine rental and related supplies like masks and tubing (if your supplier accepts assignment), with Medicare paying the rest. Medicare pays the supplier to rent the machine for 13 continuous months, after which you own it.
Paying out of pocket, costs vary widely by supplier and equipment — a CPAP machine, masks, and ongoing supplies each add to the total, and a diagnostic sleep study is a separate cost that varies depending on whether it's home-based or in-lab. Ask your doctor or supplier how much a specific test or item will cost.
Actual amounts vary by supplier, whether they accept assignment, your specific plan, and where you get the item. Medicare Advantage cost sharing can differ from the standard 20% coinsurance.
How to actually get it covered
Get a face-to-face evaluation with your doctor and a Medicare-covered sleep study documenting a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea.
Get your CPAP machine and supplies from a Medicare-enrolled DME supplier.
Confirm the supplier "accepts assignment," meaning they agree to Medicare's approved amount as full payment.
Expect the Part B deductible to apply, then 20% coinsurance on the Medicare-approved rental amount — Medicare pays the rest, contingent on the 3-month trial and ongoing compliant-use documentation.
Use the official supplier directory at medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers to find an enrolled supplier near you.
Common questions
What counts as compliant CPAP use for Medicare's trial period?
To continue coverage after the 12-week trial, Medicare requires that you meet in person with your doctor or other health care provider and that they document in your medical record that the therapy is helping you and that you meet certain conditions, including consistent use. The machine records usage data your doctor reviews at that follow-up visit. If those conditions aren't documented, Medicare can stop covering the machine, and you'd generally need a new evaluation before another attempt.
Does Medicare cover a home sleep test or only an in-lab study?
Both can qualify. Medicare Part B covers Type I, II, III, and IV sleep tests and devices when you have clinical signs and symptoms of sleep apnea. Type I tests are only covered if you get them in a sleep lab facility, and your doctor or other health care provider must order the test.
What happens to CPAP coverage if I switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans cover the same categories of care as Original Medicare, including durable medical equipment like CPAP, but plans often have their own rules — such as using in-network DME suppliers or requiring prior authorization — and your cost sharing may differ from the standard 20% coinsurance under Original Medicare. Check your plan's DME rules before ordering to avoid a denied claim.
How often does Medicare pay to replace CPAP masks, tubing, and filters?
Supplies like masks and tubing are covered along with the machine, and different items are replaced on their own schedules. Your Medicare-enrolled supplier can track eligible replacement timing and reorder items for you. You still pay the 20% coinsurance on each covered replacement after meeting the Part B deductible, if your supplier accepts assignment.
If my CPAP coverage was cut off for non-compliance, can I try again?
Generally, yes — but you'd typically need a new in-person visit with your doctor and possibly further evaluation before Medicare will cover another trial. Because continued coverage depends on documented, compliant use, addressing the original problem (such as mask fit, pressure settings, or discomfort) with your provider is central to getting coverage restored. Confirm the specific requirements with your doctor and supplier.
That's the general answer. Yours is written in your actual policy.
Drop in your policy or benefits document and get the answer for your exact coverage — with the clause it comes from. Nothing is stored.
Check my policy →