By Pam, Registered Respiratory Therapist
CPAP masks, like CPAP machines, require a prescription for purchase. Individual CPAP mask parts do not require a prescription. This means that if you just want to replace your cushion, headgear, or frame, you will not need a prescription.
If you know what mask you use, RespShop can help you purchase the components individually if they are available, and then you can assemble the parts once you receive them.
Additionally, RespShop can assist you with retrieving an existing prescription from your provider, renewing a prescription or getting a new one through our Prescription Assistance Program.
Prescriptions for CPAP masks do not expire, so even if it has been many years since you started CPAP therapy, we can still accept your original mask prescription. International CPAP mask prescriptions are also accepted.
Why Do CPAP Masks Require Prescriptions?
CPAP masks are medical devices and require FDA approval before a manufacturer can sell them. The FDA considers CPAP masks Class II medical devices with some inherent risks and wants to verify their safety. As a result, purchasing a mask requires a prescription. However, no prescription is needed to purchase mask parts.
If you suspect you would benefit from using a CPAP but don’t have a prescription, RespShop offers a home sleep study kit that lets you do a sleep test in the comfort of your own home. Called the NightOwl, this at-home sleep test device is FDA-cleared, convenient, accurate and fully disposable. There’s no need to return anything and there are no risks of contamination.
Simply attach the NightOwl device to your finger, follow the instructions in the app and go to sleep as usual. Your sleep test results will be uploaded to the NightOwl Portal in the morning and a sleep doctor will then review the results. If the doctor decides you can benefit from CPAP therapy, they will write you a CPAP machine and CPAP mask prescription.
How to Replace CPAP Mask Without a Prescription
If you need a replacement CPAP mask but can’t find your prescription, you have some options:
Call your doctor and ask for your prescription
If you have an existing CPAP mask prescription, you request a copy from your doctor. Keep in mind that some doctors will want you to book an appointment if it’s been more than a few years since your last visit as there could have been significant changes to your health since then.
Most doctor’s offices can send prescriptions by email in this modern age of science and technology, however, there are still some doctors who insist on using the postal service or the fax machine.
Ask RespShop to request your prescription on your behalf
RespShop can contact your doctor to request your prescription for you. Doctors can fax prescriptions directly to RespShop and we will contact you once we have a copy. In some cases, doctors may reach out to patients after they receive our prescription request to verify the authenticity of the request.
Request a prescription from an online sleep doctor
A telemedicine appointment with an online sleep doctor is a fast and convenient solution if your doctor cannot locate your old CPAP mask prescription or if you don’t have time for an in-person doctor’s visit. iSleep Physicians Group offers HIPAA compliant telemedicine consultations from board certified sleep medicine specialists who can prescribe new CPAP machine and mask prescriptions.
Each appointment takes only 15 minutes and you’ll receive a copy of your prescription by email afterwards. Keep in mind that the iSleep doctors will not write a prescription if you haven’t undergone a home or in-lab sleep study before. You must have a sleep apnea diagnosis to receive a prescription.
Order replacement CPAP mask parts
Since a CPAP mask prescription isn’t required if you’re just buying CPAP mask parts, this can be a good solution if you just need to replace a worn out cushion or stretched out headgear. It’s also great way to save money on CPAP supplies if you don’t have health insurance.
Should I Buy CPAP Masks From Other People?
Purchasing medical equipment, including CPAP masks, from other people can be risky. We all know someone who bought a used car off an acquaintance, only to discover that there are undisclosed problems. Even more problematic are online classifieds or auction platforms such as Craigslist and eBay, because, let’s face it- a lot of things can go wrong with buying used CPAP supplies from someone on the other side of the US. What exactly does “like new” mean?
A used mask, of course, ships with an unknown history of use and sanitary concerns. Silicone and plastic parts develop micro-cracks over time that can harbor dirt and germs that can’t be removed by regular CPAP equipment cleaning.
In a similar vein, when you buy CPAP masks from eBay or Craigslist, you do not get any customer support. If there are any issues with the product, you’re simply out of money since there’s no warranty either. When you purchase from a CPAP supplies company, you get access to product support, warranty services and peace of mind knowing that if anything goes wrong, you can get a product replaced, repaired or refunded.
Now, you may think that buying a new CPAP mask instead of a used one solves the problem. Unfortunately, just because the mask hasn’t been used, doesn’t mean it’s in good condition. CPAP masks have a shelf life and while they don’t expire, masks that have been stored for a long time may have deteriorated in ways that are not easy to see.
Masks that have not been stored under the right temperature and humidity may deteriorate prematurely. The silicone breaks down, and the plastic parts become less strong. Although the mask may look new to the naked eye, it may not seal well. It simply may not work right, and your sleep apnea therapy will suffer.
Additionally, reselling websites sometimes sell products that have not been approved by the FDA for sale in the US. This means the product’s design has not yet been verified as safe by the FDA. Although these products may even be made by companies that sell sleep apnea equipment in the US (ResMed, Philips, Fisher & Paykel), these companies cannot legally offer you any support for products that they are not yet authorized to sell in the US.
Final Thoughts
RespShop is here to help you navigate all the stages of buying and owning a CPAP mask: obtaining a prescription, choosing the right mask, and properly fitting the mask. Whether you’ve been on CPAP therapy for years or have yet to be diagnosed, we can help you improve sleep apnea symptoms and enjoy better, more restful sleep.
Get in touch with the RespShop team using one of the methods below and get your CPAP equipment questions answered!