Free CPAP tool
CPAP Supply Replacement Cost per Year
Enter what you pay per item and how many you replace a year. The defaults use Medicare's maximum replacement frequencies for nasal cushions, disposable filters, tubing, mask frames and water chambers. The default costs are round placeholder numbers, not prices; replace them with your own receipts or quotes.
Formula
Each line = cost per item x items per year. Total = the sum of the five lines. Monthly = total / 12.
Default frequencies are Medicare's usual maximums: nasal cushions or pillows 2 per month (24 a year), disposable filters 2 per month (24), tubing 1 per 3 months (4), a full mask 1 per 3 months (4), and a humidifier water chamber 1 per 6 months (2). Full face cushions are 1 per month (12). These are the most Medicare will pay for, not a rule that you must replace that often; many people replace less often when parts still seal and look clean.
Worked example
With the defaults: cushions 20 x 24 = 480, filters 2 x 24 = 48, tubing 25 x 4 = 100, masks 100 x 4 = 400, chambers 30 x 2 = 60. Total = 480 + 48 + 100 + 400 + 60 = 1,088 a year, or 1,088 / 12 = 90.67 a month. The dollar amounts are placeholders; the arithmetic is what matters.
Assumptions and limits
- Default costs are placeholders, not current prices from any retailer.
- If you use a full face mask, set cushions per year to 12.
- Headgear (1 per 6 months), chinstraps and reusable filters are not included; add them to another line if you buy them.
- Insurance cost-sharing is not applied; this is the cash cost.
Supplies that can help
The air inlet filter keeps dust and lint out of the machine and your airway; it is a cheap part that needs regular replacement.
The plain hose between the machine and the mask; it wears out and should be replaced on a regular schedule.
The removable water tank of a CPAP humidifier; it wears and needs replacing, especially if it cracks, clouds or leaks.
Thin gel or foam pads that stick to the bridge of the nose, where many masks press hardest, to prevent red marks and sores.
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Frequently asked questions
How often does Medicare pay for CPAP supplies?
Usual maximums are 2 nasal cushions or pillow sets a month, 1 full face cushion a month, 2 disposable filters a month, 1 tube and 1 mask every 3 months, and 1 water chamber and 1 headgear every 6 months. Your supplier must confirm with you before each refill ships.
Do I have to replace CPAP supplies that often?
No. The schedule is the most insurance will pay for. Replace a cushion when it no longer seals or has gone stiff or torn, and filters when they look discolored, following your mask and machine manuals.
Is it cheaper to buy CPAP supplies with cash?
It depends on your deductible and coinsurance. Run your yearly cash total here, then compare it with what your plan charges after the deductible. Cash buyers can space out replacements, but complete masks still need a prescription.
Sources
Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error