If you’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend a CPAP or BiPAP machine to help you breathe better while you sleep. But before you order one, you might wonder — do I really need a prescription?
The short answer is yes.

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🩺 Why a Prescription Is Required

In the United States, CPAP and BiPAP machines are regulated by the FDA as Class II medical devices.
That means you can’t legally buy or rent one without a doctor’s prescription.
This rule exists for your safety and treatment accuracy.
Each patient needs different pressure levels and mask types, which must be determined by a healthcare professional after a sleep study.

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⚙️ What the Prescription Includes

A valid CPAP/BiPAP prescription usually mentions:

• Patient name and date of birth
• Diagnosis (for example, Obstructive Sleep Apnea – ICD-10 G47.33)
• Machine type – CPAP, AutoPAP, or BiPAP
• Pressure settings or range
• Mask type and supplies
• Length of need (e.g., lifetime or 99 months)
• Doctor’s signature, NPI, and date

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💡 Benefits of Having a Proper Prescription

• ✅ Correct pressure settings for effective therapy
• ✅ Better comfort and compliance — fewer side effects like dryness or discomfort
• ✅ Insurance coverage — most payers and Medicare require it
• ✅ Qualified clinical support for follow-ups or machine adjustments

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🧾 How to Get One

1. Schedule a sleep study or home sleep test.
2. Your doctor reviews the results and diagnoses sleep apnea.
3. The doctor issues a CPAP or BiPAP prescription with your personalized settings.
4. Bring or send the prescription to your HME provider, and they’ll handle setup and delivery.

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🌙 Final Thoughts

Getting a prescription may feel like an extra step, but it ensures you receive the right therapy, safe equipment, and insurance coverage.
If you already have a CPAP and feel it isn’t working well, talk to your doctor — you might need a BiPAP or AutoPAP adjustment.