Buying a used CPAP machine may seem like a practical option if you’re trying to save money on sleep apnea treatment. However, there are important health, safety, and legal considerations to keep in mind before making that decision.
In this article, we’ll explore the risks and precautions associated with used or secondhand CPAP machines, explain where to find safe, refurbished devices, and outline what to know about insurance coverage and eligibility.
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Is It Safe to Use a Used CPAP Machine?
Using a used CPAP machine can be safe if the device has been properly sanitized, inspected, and recalibrated to meet your prescribed pressure settings. However, safety depends heavily on where the machine comes from and how well it has been maintained.
Reputable sellers of refurbished durable medical equipment (DME) follow strict procedures to ensure that each device is fully functional, professionally disinfected, and compliant with medical hygiene standards. These providers often replace worn parts, test air pressure accuracy, and document the machine’s service history.
To protect your health and investment, it’s best to avoid buying used CPAP machines from private sellers or online marketplaces without a verified reputation. If you purchase a refurbished device, work with your doctor or sleep specialist to ensure it’s correctly set to your prescribed pressure and compatible with your mask and tubing setup.
Benefits of Buying a Refurbished CPAP Machine
Buying a refurbished CPAP machine from a trusted medical supplier can offer several advantages, especially for people paying out of pocket:
- Lower cost: Refurbished devices are typically much less expensive than new CPAP machines, sometimes costing half as much.
- Verified performance: Reputable sellers test each machine to confirm it delivers accurate air pressure and functions properly.
- Professional sanitation: Certified refurbishers clean and disinfect machines according to FDA and DME industry standards, ensuring safe use.
- Warranty and support: Many refurbished units come with a limited warranty or return policy—something private resales rarely provide.
Risks of Buying a Used CPAP Machine
Despite the potential savings, buying a used CPAP—especially from an unverified source—can carry significant risks:
- Hygiene and contamination: Without professional sanitization, used machines may harbor bacteria, mold, or viruses that can lead to infection or respiratory irritation.
- Incorrect pressure settings: Every patient’s pressure setting is unique. A machine set to the wrong pressure can make treatment ineffective or even unsafe.
- Unknown service history: Used devices may have worn motors, faulty sensors, or expired warranties that compromise reliability.
- No medical oversight: Purchasing through informal channels bypasses the guidance of a sleep specialist, increasing the risk of improper setup or missed health issues.
Is Buying a Used CPAP Machine Right for Me?
You can buy secondhand CPAP machines from some online and brick-and-mortar medical suppliers. Accessories, such as CPAP masks, typically need to be purchased new.
When deciding whether to buy a new CPAP machine or a used one, take into account factors such as your budget, insurance coverage, seller reputation, and device condition and cleanliness.
Buying Used May Be Better If:
- You're looking for a particular CPAP model that isn’t available new.
- You can't afford a new machine.
- You want a backup machine that’s not covered by insurance.
Buying New May Be Better If:
- Your insurance covers most CPAP-related costs.
- There's only a small price difference between the new and used versions of the model you want.
- You want peace of mind from having a machine that's never been used before.
Where Can You Buy a Used CPAP Machine?
Used CPAP machines are available online and at certain brick-and-mortar medical supply stores. Regardless of where you shop, be sure that the seller is a reputable, licensed retailer of medical devices.
In-store shopping is better if you prefer to see the equipment before making a purchase and want to have a one-on-one conversation with a knowledgeable salesperson. Online buying may be a better option if you want to compare prices, read reviews, and examine device specifications from the comfort of home.
Do You Need a Prescription to Buy a Used CPAP Machine?
The Food and Drug Administration classifies CPAP machines as class II medical devices. Therefore, if you purchase a used or refurbished device from a reputable seller of medical devices, you will need to provide a copy of the prescription from your doctor.
Are There Rent-to-Own Options for Used CPAP Machines?
Some insurance plans stipulate that coverage of a new CPAP machine is dependent on a rental period. During this trial phase, the insured must demonstrate that they have been using the device consistently and that it has improved their sleep apnea symptoms. This option is less common with used CPAP machines.
Some pre-owned medical equipment companies offer a rent-to-own arrangement, but more frequently, they either sell the device outright or offer standard rental CPAP machines available for a fixed time period or on a month-to-month basis.
Does Health Insurance Cover the Cost of a Refurbished CPAP Machine?
Whether insurance will cover a refurbished CPAP device depends on the specific details of your insurance policy. In general, insurance will not cover devices from an unlicensed seller, but they may cover a refurbished machine from an authorized medical equipment supplier.
Before purchasing, you can ask the seller if they accept insurance or have experience working with insurance claims. You should also check with your insurer to find out if your policy’s benefits apply to used or refurbished CPAP devices. If so, make sure to find out what documentation is required when filing a claim for a pre-owned CPAP device.
Can You Use an FSA or HSA to Buy a Used CPAP Machine?
Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts can be used to buy durable medical equipment, but spending these funds for a refurbished CPAP machine may require that you buy it from an authorized reseller.
You can check with the device seller about whether they accept FSA and HSA payments, and you can also ask your FSA or HSA administrator about what conditions are required for using funds to buy a CPAP machine, including one that is pre-owned.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not recommended to borrow a CPAP machine. When you are prescribed CPAP therapy, a qualified sleep technologist adjusts your machine to the proper pressure level. This pressure setting is unique to you, so borrowing a machine from someone else could be counterproductive.
In addition, used CPAP machines offered by authorized retailers are thoroughly disinfected and serviced prior to sale. When you borrow a device, you cannot be sure when the last user cleaned the CPAP machine or if they cleaned it properly, which could lead to bacterial growth and an increased risk of illness.
It is only legal to sell a used CPAP machine to a licensed medical equipment reseller, and only authorized retailers are permitted to supply CPAP devices to consumers. Per FDA regulations, a prescription is required to obtain a CPAP machine, and only medical device retailers can accept these prescriptions.
Multiple online and brick-and-mortar CPAP retailers are willing to purchase gently used machines from individuals who are upgrading to a newer model or looking for a different product. These authorized retailers often have strict criteria for the machines they will buy from consumers.
If you no longer need your CPAP machine, you have several responsible options. Donating or recycling the device ensures it’s put to good use rather than ending up in a landfill. Many nonprofit organizations accept working machines that are less than five years old and have replaceable parts. Some durable medical equipment (DME) providers or local hospitals also run donation or recycling programs.
If your device is no longer functional, check with the manufacturer or your local waste management service for electronic recycling instructions. Before donating or recycling, remove and dispose of any personal accessories, such as masks, tubing, or humidifier chambers, since these items cannot be reused for hygiene reasons.
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Written by
Audra Sarver, Contributing WriterAudra is a licensed, certified physician assistant and freelance health writer. She has specialized in psychiatry since completing her clinical training in 2018. Her passion for writing was born from the desire to make complex medical information more accessible and understandable to patients and their loved ones. Audra likes to write about all things related to behavioral health and physical wellness. Outside of her work, she enjoys landscape painting, learning new languages, traveling, and spending time with her partner.
