Positive Airway Pressure Therapy Cost and Financing

Positive airway pressure therapy is a widely used method to treat the various types of sleep apnea including:¹

• Obstructive sleep apnea, the most common type of sleep apnea, occurs when airflow is blocked, causing an interruption in breathing.
• Central sleep apnea occurs when the brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
• Complex sleep apnea syndrome, a combination of the two

How does positive airway pressure therapy work?

During positive airway pressure therapy, a positive airway pressure (PAP) machine gently blows a steady stream of pressurized room air or oxygen into the nose and mouth during sleep keeping the airways open to allow normal breathing.¹

PAP machines come in a variety of designs, including CPAP machines which provide a continuous stream of air, BiPAP machines which provide two pressure levels and VPAP machines which offer varying pressure.¹

The device that is right for you will depend upon your symptoms, physical examination findings and test results.¹

Below we dive into the cost of positive airway pressure therapy, if insurance covers it and how financing can help.

How much does positive airway pressure therapy cost?

The average cost of positive airway pressure therapy varies widely from $250 to $4,500, depending on the machine’s make and model and its features.² CPAP machines can average around $250 to $1,300 while BiPAP machines range in cost from $875 to $2,000 and VPAP machines can exceed $4,500.²

Does insurance cover positive airway pressure therapy?

When deemed medically necessary, positive airway pressure therapy may be covered by insurance.² The exact amount of coverage and what out-of-pocket costs you will pay depends on many factors including your private medical insurance plan and provider, your annual deductible and co-pay requirements.

Check with your plan provider to determine your specific benefits.

How can I pay for positive airway pressure therapy?

If you are looking to pay for positive airway pressure therapy and don’t have insurance or if you need a way to pay for co-pays, deductibles or other out-of-pocket costs, there may be several payment options you can consider.

You may be able to use a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Most medical equipment providers accept general-purpose credit cards. If you are interested in paying over time, ask if they accept the CareCredit credit card, which may be a convenient way to pay for positive airway pressure therapy and make monthly payments.*

Can I use my CareCredit credit card to pay for positive airway pressure therapy?

You can use your CareCredit credit card at locations within the CareCredit network to finance positive airway pressure therapy or other sleep services, products and procedures*.

The benefit of paying with a CareCredit credit card is the opportunity to take advantage of promotional financing*. You can pay for the care you need immediately and make monthly payments. You can use your CareCredit card again and again to pay for other health and wellness needs as credit becomes available. Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a provider near you who accepts the CareCredit credit card.