Q) Who writes my prescription for CPAP or Bi-PAP supplies? Back to Top
A) Commonly, your sleep physician or primary care physician will write your CPAP prescriptions but prescriptions can be written by any licensed physician.
Q) How can 1800CPAP.COM request my CPAP or Bi-PAP prescription for me? Back to Top
A) During your order selection process, you will be prompted with “method of prescription” selection and if you are requesting we contact your physician for prescription just follow the instructions.
- When you select to purchase a mask, machine, or humidifier, choose, "request my prescription from my doctor" from the "method of prescription?" menu.
- When you are checking out, provide us your doctor's name, phone number and/or fax number in the requested fields and we will obtain your prescription. We will notify you once we have received your prescription.
- Or call us toll free prior to placing your order and we will assist you in the process.
Q) Will my original prescription work? Back to Top
A) Yes. Once your prescription is on file, there is no need to submit a new one unless your physician makes a pressure adjustment to your machine. Should this happen, please just send us your updated prescription for your file so we may better serve you in the future.
Q) If I have a machine prescription, do I need a separate prescription to purchase a mask or humidifier? Back to Top
A) No. A CPAP or Bi-PAP machine prescription will cover the prescription requirements for a mask, humidifier, and machine.
Q) If I have a machine prescription, do I need a separate prescription to purchase replacement parts for masks, machines or humidifiers? Back to Top
A) No. Replacement parts such as cushions, headgear, other mask parts, machine filters, humidifier chambers and other replacement parts do not require a prescription for purchase.
Q) Do you bill my insurance company? Back to Top
A) Currently, 1800CPAP.com does not bill insurance companies for purchases. However, we can provide you with the necessary information on your invoice that will allow you to file for reimbursement from your insurance company. Simply call us at 1-800-274-1366 and we wil step you through the process.
Click here for online instructions on how to bill your insurance company
Q) How do I know if I need to have a sleep study? Back to Top
A) If you suspect you may have some sleep related problems - you should consult your physician or locate a sleep center near you. You can easily locate a sleep center near you by going to our home page and selecting “Find a Sleep Center Near You”.
We provide you with the recognized standard questionnaires that helps determine if you may be a candidate to have a sleep study; you can print the questionnaire and present it to you physician to help evaluate your need for a sleep study. You can also find out more information about questionnaires and/or sleep apnea by clicking the CPAP Education tab on our website.
Q) What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? Back to Top
A) The partial or complete closure of a patient’s airway during sleep is known as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Apnea is Latin for “without breath”. The body responds to this lack of oxygen by arousing, or waking from sleep sometimes in a violent fashion. This cycle leads to the patient being unable to get the needed quantity of restful sleep and results in:
- Irritability and Mood Swings
- Daytime Fatigue
- Difficulty Focusing/Memory Loss
Untreated Obstructive Sleep Apnea is potentially fatal and has been shown to lead to the following serious health conditions:
- Diabetes
- Heart Attacks
- Strokes
- High Blood Pressure
Q) What is a CPAP machine? Back to Top
A) CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. CPAP therapy provides a constant airflow which holds the airway open so that uninterrupted breathing is maintained during sleep. This eliminates or reduces sleep disordered breathing events (sleep apnea) and allows you to get a restful sleep.
CPAP therapy is traditionally provided through a nasal mask that seals around the nose. However, more innovative, comfortable and better sealing options are beginning to emerge.
Q) Which CPAP machine is for me? Back to Top
A) Since your CPAP machine requires a prescription; it is best determined by your physician as to which device will work best for you. We encourage you to ask many questions or describe your typical sleeping situation, this may assist your physician in the decision making process. Things to consider are: type of usage, do you travel; do you need humidification, weight of the machine, size of the machine, noise level, etc.
Q) How do I travel with my CPAP machine? Back to Top
A) Traveling with your CPAP can sometimes be a hassle. However, with proper preparation, it can be very easy. If you are flying with your CPAP, you can bring your CPAP machine on the airplane with you and it will not count as one of your carry-on items. Never check your CPAP machine because through normal luggage handling procedures it can easily be broken. You may want to call ahead and find out your airline's procedures for carrying your CPAP machine on the airplane to prevent any delays through security. We have learned that many airlines will not let you use your CPAP machine during the flight because it is not a life-sustaining device. You may want to contact your airline to see if you can make special arrangements
If you are driving across country with your CPAP or are camping, you can still use your machine (depending on the make and model). If your machine has the ability to run off of 12V (check your owner’s manual) then you will be able to run your machine off of either a battery, or plug it into the cigarette lighter adapter in your car / RV if you purchase the proper cables.
Q) What is an Auto CPAP machine? Back to Top
A) An Auto CPAP machine is a machine that uses two pressure settings; a high setting and a low setting. The machine starts at the lower setting and through the course of the night it senses when you are having sleep disordered breathing. It then begins to slowly raise the pressure toward the set high pressure. Once the apnea is eliminated it will stay at that pressure for a period of time and then slowly begin to decrease back toward the lower pressure. If another apnea occurs in the meantime, it will then begin to increase, so on and so forth. In this way, the machine automatically figures out the best pressure for you to be sleeping at for that particular night. This is a nice feature because your best therapy pressure is not always the same. It greatly depends on your daily activities and your personal habits.
Q) What is a Bi-PAP or Bi-Level machine? Back to Top
A) A Bi-PAP or Bi-Level machine uses two separate pressure settings for your therapy: An inspiratory pressure and an expiratory pressure. When you inhale, the therapy is delivered at the set inspiratory pressure, and then when you exhale, the pressure is delivered at the set expiratory pressure. The inspiratory pressure is always greater than the expiratory pressure. This type of machine is usually used for people who cannot tolerate a normal CPAP machine or for people who have other conditions along with their sleep apnea.
Q) How do I know what size mask I need? Back to Top
A) If you are purchasing the same mask that you already have then somewhere on your existing mask there will be a size indication, usually a single letter (M for medium, etc.). If you are selecting a different mask then the best option is to click on the sizing gauge option located on the product page of the mask you are selecting. If there is not a printable mask sizing gauge, email us and we can send you information on selecting the right size mask.
Q) How often should I change my CPAP filter, CPAP tubing, and water chamber? Back to Top
A) For your CPAP filters you should change them whenever you start to see them get fairly dirty. Remember, this is the air you are breathing at night! If you have the foam, reusable filters, then you should rinse them out and let them air dry at least once every other week or based on manufactures recommended procedure. We recommend replacing your tubing once every three months to reduce the risk of dirt and bacteria build up in your tubing that can cause you to become ill. Water chambers should be replaced at least once every 3-6 months depending on how well you clean it daily.
Q) What kind of water should I use in my humidifier? Back to Top
A) You should always use distilled water in your humidifier to prevent the buildup of mineral deposits on your water chamber. This will significantly prolong the life of your humidifier.
Q) How do I know if the mask I want will work with my machine? Back to Top
A) All of the masks are standardized so that any mask will connect with any machine.