CPAP vs BiPAP | SleepApnea.org

There are two types of positive airway pressure systems often used to treat sleep apnea, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP or BPAP). Both work via machines that help direct air into the airway and lungs.

Untreated sleep apnea can negatively impact well-being and lead to undesirable health outcomes. But the good news is that positive pressure airway therapy can help treat both types of sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA).

While CPAP and BiPAP are similar, they do have some differences in the way they work. Thus, doctors may recommend one type of machine over another, depending on your situation. We discuss CPAP and BiPAP therapies, their features, indications, and situations where they may be best utilized.

What’s the Difference Between CPAP and BiPAP?

CPAP and BiPAP machines are both positive airway pressure treatments for sleep apnea, but they differ in how they work, how much they cost, and whether they are covered by insurance.

Both types of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy push air into the upper airway and lungs through the nose or the nose and mouth using a machine. The pressurized air prevents the airway from narrowing or collapsing during sleep.

	CPAP	BPAP
Range of Pressure	4-20 cm H20	4-30 cm H20
Pressure Level	1	2
Cost	$500 - $1,000	$1,700 - $3,000
Insurance Coverage	Yes, though costs vary depending on the plan	Depends on the circumstances

Pressure

The level of air pressure during inhalation and exhalation varies depending on the type of PAP therapy a person is prescribed.

CPAP machines deliver a fixed pressure while breathing in and out during sleep. In contrast, BiPAP machines provide two different pressure levels, one level of air pressure during inhalation and another level for exhalation. Airflow is typically higher during inhalation with BiPAP therapy.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

The cost and insurance coverage for CPAP and BiPAP therapies vary. CPAP machines cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000. BiPAP machines are typically more expensive than a CPAP machine, with a price range of $1,700 to $3,000.

CPAP therapy is often covered by private health insurance. It’s important to check with your insurance provider because coverage varies depending on your insurance policy. In addition, it’s important to talk with your insurance company about coverage for CPAP supplies, such as masks and replacement filters, so you understand the full cost of therapy.

If you are a Medicare recipient and require CPAP therapy, you may be provided a three-month trial of CPAP therapy that includes a CPAP machine and accessories. After you meet with your doctor and they review data from your trial period, Medicare may continue coverage for your CPAP therapy.

BiPAP may only be covered by your insurance company or Medicare if you meet certain criteria. For example, BiPAP therapy may not be covered unless you are intolerant of CPAP therapy or CPAP is ineffective at treating your sleep apnea.

Recommended Use for CPAP and BiPAP

The recommendations for who should use CPAP and who should use BiPAP depends on the type of sleep apnea a person has and whether they have responded to other types treatments.

CPAP therapy is the treatment of choice for most people with obstructive sleep apnea. If used properly, CPAP effectively treats most cases of OSA.

In contrast, BiPAP machines are the preferred treatment for people who have complex sleep-related breathing issues such as the less common types of central sleep apnea. BiPAP is also an option for people with OSA who are unable to tolerate CPAP therapy or do not respond to CPAP therapy.

Understanding CPAP Machines

Continuous positive airway pressure machines work by delivering a fixed pressure of air as one breathes in and out. This means that the air pressures for inhalation and exhalation are set at the same level.

Many CPAP devices deliver the same pressure levels throughout the night. This is known as fixed-level CPAP. Alternatively, auto-adjusting CPAP (APAP) machines allow air pressure to vary throughout the night depending on a person’s breathing patterns. Some people may tolerate APAP better because the average overnight pressure tends to be lower than for fixed CPAP.

All CPAP machines usually come with standard equipment including:

A machine that blows air into a tube or hose
A tube or hose that connects the machine to the face mask
A face mask or nasal prongs that usually deliver air through the mouth, nose, or both

Newer CPAP machines may also come with additional features such as heated humidifiers that blow warm, moist air into the airway to reduce nasal dryness.

When Is CPAP Prescribed?

Experts, including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), recommend CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The air pressure from the machine works to keep blocked airways open, which reduces snoring, improves sleep quality, and improves daytime symptoms. In some cases, CPAP is also used to treat central sleep apnea.

Most doctors will first try fixed-level CPAP for people with sleep apnea. The fixed pressure that works best for an individual is based upon sleep study results. Experts recommend fixed-level CPAP instead of APAP for those with OSA and other conditions such as:

Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Congestive heart failure
Medication or drug-related breathing complications
Central sleep apnea
A history of having certain upper airway surgeries
People who may have a mask leak due to certain facial characteristics

Auto-adjusting CPAP may be an option for people with moderate or severe OSA that is not complicated by other health concerns that affect the ability to breathe during sleep. APAP may also be an option for people with mild OSA or those who cannot tolerate fixed-level CPAP.

Understanding BiPAP Machines

Unlike CPAP that delivers a constant air pressure as a person inhales and exhales during sleep, BiPAP delivers air at different pressure levels, one for inhalation and one for exhalation. The pressure setting for inhalation (IPAP) is typically higher than the pressure setting for exhalation (EPAP).

BiPAP machines usually come with a similar set of equipment as CPAP machines, including a motorized machine, tubing, a mask, and other special features.

Like CPAP devices, BiPAP machines can be either fixed or auto-adjusting.

Fixed-level BiPAP: With a fixed-level BiPAP machine, pre-determined IPAP and EPAP settings are programmed into the machine and do not change at any point throughout sleep.
Auto-adjusting BiPAP: Auto-adjusting BiPAP machines automatically deliver varying EPAP and IPAP levels to accommodate different breathing patterns. This is ideal for people who are not able to tolerate the pre-set, fixed pressures that are delivered while asleep.

BiPAP machines also have several unique modes.

Spontaneous (S): In spontaneous mode, the machine delivers air pressure when it detects a person breathing in or breathing out. BiPAP-S mode is generally reserved for people with OSA who do not respond to CPAP or find CPAP to be uncomfortable.
Spontaneous/timed (S/T): This mode allows the machine to deliver pressurized air as a person breathes during sleep. The machine also has a timer and will deliver air pressure if a person has not taken a breath for a period of time. This setting is used for people with CSA as well as those with OSA that also struggle to initiate breathing at times throughout the night.
Timed (T): In this mode, the BiPAP machine delivers air according to a timer and not in response to a person’s breathing. BiPAP-T mode is rarely used because S/T provides the same functionality.

When Is BiPAP Prescribed?

BiPAP is proven to effectively treat some types of central sleep apnea and can be an alternative for people who have had difficulty with CPAP therapy.

BiPAP is the recommended treatment for people who have a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea. It is also the treatment of choice for central sleep apneas that are related to certain health conditions that can cause shallow or slow breathing during sleep including:

Central nervous system disease, such as multiple sclerosis
Neuromuscular disease, such as muscular dystrophy
Opioid use
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)

While CPAP therapy effectively treats obstructive sleep apnea in most people, some people may benefit from using BiPAP instead. Sleepers that require an air pressure that exceeds the pressure range available on a CPAP machine may be prescribed BiPAP as an alternative.

In some instances, people prescribed CPAP therapy struggle with treatment and are unable to continue. In other cases, CPAP therapy does not adequately treat sleep apnea. In both situations, BiPAP can be an effective alternative to CPAP.

BiPAP vs CPAP: Which Is Best for You?

The type of PAP machine that is best for you depends on the type of sleep apnea you are diagnosed with as well as your response to other sleep apnea treatments. Your doctor or sleep specialist will talk with you about the available options and what type of PAP therapy is best for your situation.

In general, experts agree that CPAP therapy is the best treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that is not complicated by other health issues that affect breathing during sleep.

The best treatment for people with more complex sleep-related breathing issues, such as those with certain types of central sleep apnea, is often BiPAP. BiPAP therapy can also be a helpful option for people who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy or whose OSA does not respond to CPAP treatment.