Why do I need a prescription for CPAP? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US classifies CPAP devices as Class II medical devices with possible risks. Therefore, their sale requires a medical prescription. While the process for obtaining a prescription (not to mention insurance approval) for CPAP and supplies can be burdensome, working … Read More »
Getting used to CPAP therapy isn’t easy. It’s especially challenging to keep all of the equipment- mask, cushions, headgear, tubing- properly assembled. Not to mention keeping it clean. It’s recommended that you clean your CPAP equipment every morning when you wake up (read more here about how to clean all of your CPAP equipment by … Read More »
Finding the right tubing for your CPAP and mask can be challenging. In this post we cover the main characteristics of different tubing options, including a guide to finding tubing options for the most popular CPAP machines. There are three main dimensions to consider: length, hose diameter, diameter of the connecting ends. Tubing length This … Read More »
Have you ever woken up to water in your mask? Ever noticed a lot of condensation in your tubing? Has water in your hose ever stopped you from using your CPAP? This is known as CPAP rainout. What is rainout? And why does it happen? What’s the big deal with moisture in the air? The … Read More »
What is a CPAP Water Chamber? The water chamber is the removable container that holds the water in your humidifier (see the clear plastic tub on the left below). Using a humidifier can make a positive difference to your therapy comfort and experience. By warming and moistening the air you’re breathing, it helps prevent you having … Read More »
Most CPAP machines now include a fully-integrated (top image is the newest ResMed CPAP with a built-in humidifier) or easily-attached humidifier (second image is an earlier device with a detachable humidifier with the water chamber removed). In this post we’ll explain the benefits of humidification and tips for making your CPAP therapy as comfortable and effective … Read More »
This the is second post in a series about the most common reasons why health insurance companies are not covering CPAP supplies. As an equipment provider for many health plans, medical groups and IPAs in Southern California, we’re seeing that coverage for replacement CPAP supplies is changing and the process is becoming more difficult. We’re … Read More »
Our patients get extremely frustrated when they contact us to order replacement supplies- at the usual 90 to 120 day intervals- but their health insurance company won’t pay. It’s especially hard because we’ve been saying- since the initial set-up- how important it is to regularly replace CPAP equipment, like the mask, cushions, filters and tubing. Your … Read More »
With over 20 million Americans suffering from sleep apnea, it’s no wonder that ResMed, a leading manufacturer of CPAP machines and masks, has developed another series of CPAP masks to offer more comfortable CPAP therapy to those in need. Masks designed to fit more faces The recently released AirFit™ 20 series includes a full-face, AirFit™ … Read More »
1. You don’t have health insurance. This is a no-brainer. If you don’t have health insurance, but have sleep apnea, you will need to pay cash for your machine and supplies. If you’re having a hard time making ends meet, check out the organizations listed in this post that offer free or low-cost CPAP and … Read More »
