Things to Consider When Purchasing a CPAP Mask

Sleep apnea is a common, yet underrated medical problem in the United States. Many sufferers of sleep apnea may be aware that they do not get a good night of sleep, but they may not realize that it is due to sleep apnea. In fact, 2 to 4% of all Americans have an undiagnosed case of sleep apnea. This accounts for approximately 1 in 50 individuals being undiagnosed. An undiagnosed case of sleep apnea can be dangerous for many reasons. It can lead to further life threatening conditions as a result of the lack of oxygen during sleep. It can also prevent the body from getting its required amount of sleep, on a regular basis.

If you suspect that you might be suffering from sleep apnea, or another sleep condition, a sleep study can be helpful. A sleep study involves testing of the body and the brain, during a normal night of sleep. You will be encouraged to sit in a room, relaxing and then, eventually falling asleep. Once you fall asleep, the body?s hormone and oxygen levels will be measured. This gives the research technician and your medical professional an idea of how much oxygen your body is getting during sleep.


Those who are diagnosed with sleep apnea will then come up with a treatment plan with their medical provider. The medical plan will find a way to increase the oxygen levels during sleep. It should also notify the sleeper how often they are losing oxygen and to what extent during sleep. A CPAP mask is often used for these purposes. The CPAP mask is a device that is placed over the face, providing oxygen into the mouth.

Some patients who deal with other medical conditions may find themselves at a greater risk of developing sleep apnea. For example, in a study, asthma patients faced an almost 40% greater risk for sleep apnea than asthma free participants. Those with asthma already have difficult with getting enough oxygen during their waking hours, so it is expected to also have difficulty during sleeping time. However, the best CPAP mask can also help even with cases of asthma sleep apnea.

Patients who are looking to try a CPAP mask can purchase them from a variety of places. CPAP machines can be purchased online, through medical supply providers, or even through your medical provider?s office. It can be beneficial to go through your medical provider?s office or the health supply store to gain valuable information about buying or selling used CPAP machines.

It may also be necessary to go through a certified medical supply office in order to use insurance for CPAP machines for sale. The cost of a CPAP machine varies, depending on factors like size, type of mask used, and the specific material of the CPAP mask. Some insurance companies may have specific regulations when it comes to purchasing a CPAP mask. They may even stipulate the exact brand and price that you are allowed to purchase.

Insurance companies may also have minimum requirements for how often the machine is used. They want to ensure that they are paying for something that is actually needed and gets used frequently. For best results and continued insurance coverage, patients should use CPAP at least 70% of the time over a 30 day period, for at least 4 hours every night.

Sleep apnea is a serious disease that prevents the body from getting enough oxygen during sleep cycles. A CPAP machine and mask can be very beneficial in not only treating a lack of oxygen from sleep apnea, but also in diagnosing the condition of sleep apnea. The price of CPAP masks and machines varies, depending on multiple factors. If you are expecting your insurance provider to cover the cost of the CPAP machine, it is necessary that you understand your insurance provider?s specific stipulations and reimbursement regulations.