CPAP ordered but can't afford

I had a sleep study, was diagnosed with sleep apnea, and have an order for a CPAP.

However, my insurance won't cover because I haven't met my deductible. I can't afford it.

I have talked to two different equipment companies and neither will offer payments. They require full payment at time of fitting.

Has anyone else had this issue?

With a prescription, you might be able to find another source (CPAP.com; Amazon, etc.). If you have a PayPal account, you might be able to spread the payments out through mail order. Try to find a similar, but less expensive, machine. Give it a try.

1. As noted, get a written copy of your prescription - it will described mode of operation such as cpap, bipap or auto. Get the pressure setting or settings.
   
2. Go to Craigslist.com and search for CPAP and in my area, several dozen machines pop up ranging from about $150 to $700. While price is obviously a factor, do some google home work and find out if the machines you look at have the necessary mode of operation and pressure capabilities.
   
3. Plan on buying a mask. You can buy a used mask as well and then buy the cushion part. The mask may take a prescription but may not as I have bought a mask via the internet without one. Do some research based on your pressure settings and druthers as to which mask type you are interested in.
4. Get some Sleepyhead software and make sure your machine has a little memory card that you can use with your computer for downloading data. It is vital to be able to monitor progress and effectiveness of therapy.
   
5. If you buy used, be prepared for cleaning good and buying new hoses and filters as well.
   
6. Remember, this forum is a great reference if you need help on direction in this process.

you may want to check out http://www.sleepapnea.org/resources/cpap-assistance-program/need-a-cpap-machine.html, it's a cpap assistance program for people with financial hardships.