How to Order CPAP Supplies Through the VA
How veterans order free CPAP masks, tubing, filters, and other supplies through the VA. Who qualifies, replacement schedule, ordering, common issues.
If you are a veteran enrolled in VA healthcare, the VA will furnish your CPAP machine and replacement supplies when a VA clinician prescribes them, and the VA's published copay rates list no charge for either. This applies whether your sleep apnea is service-connected or not.
Most veterans do not realize this. Many assume VA CPAP supplies are only available to those with a service-connected sleep apnea rating. That is incorrect. The VA prosthetics benefit covers all enrolled veterans who have been prescribed CPAP therapy by a VA provider, regardless of service-connection status.
This guide covers who qualifies, what the VA provides, how to order, and how to handle the common problems that come up. It is written by a veteran rated for service-connected sleep apnea who orders supplies through the VA system.
Who Qualifies for VA CPAP Supplies
The legal basis is straightforward. Under 38 U.S.C. § 1701(6) (opens in new tab) and § 1710 (opens in new tab), implemented at 38 CFR §§ 17.3200–17.3250 (the prosthetic and rehabilitative items rule that replaced the older § 17.150), the VA furnishes prosthetic items to enrolled veterans when a VA clinician finds them medically needed.
CPAP machines and supplies are classified as prosthetic items. That means:
- Service-connected veterans receive CPAP supplies at no cost.
- Non-service-connected veterans enrolled in VA healthcare also receive CPAP supplies. The VA's published copay rates cover visits, urgent and inpatient care, medications, and extended care, and none is listed for CPAP supplies. If a bill ever arrives for them, call the number on the bill.
- You must be enrolled in VA healthcare and have an active VA prescription for CPAP therapy from a VA clinician.
If you have not yet enrolled in VA healthcare, you can check your eligibility and apply at va.gov/health-care (opens in new tab).
If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis but no VA prescription, schedule an appointment with your VA primary care provider to discuss a sleep medicine referral. The VA will need either a VA sleep study or documentation from a qualifying outside study before issuing a CPAP prescription.
What the VA Provides
The VA furnishes a complete CPAP setup and all ongoing replacement supplies:
- CPAP or BiPAP machine (the VA selects the model, typically a current-generation ResMed AirSense or similar)
- Mask (full face, nasal, or nasal pillow based on your fitting)
- Mask cushions (replacement seals)
- Headgear (replacement straps)
- Tubing (standard and heated options)
- Disposable and non-disposable filters
- Water chamber (humidifier tub)
- Chinstrap (if prescribed)
- Power cord and adapter
These are furnished through the VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS), with no copay listed for them on the VA's copay rates page.
Replacement Schedule
The VA does not publish a single national replacement schedule the way Medicare does. Under 38 CFR § 17.3230, the VA furnishes an item when a VA clinician finds it medically needed for your treatment, so the standard is clinical need as determined by your VA provider. This means a VA clinician can authorize replacement sooner than any guideline if medically justified (weight change, skin breakdown, equipment failure).
In practice, most VA facilities follow a schedule that mirrors the Medicare HCPCS replacement timeline as a baseline:
| Supply | Typical Interval |
|---|---|
| Nasal pillows | Every 2 weeks |
| Nasal mask cushion | Every 2 weeks |
| Full face mask cushion | Every 1 month |
| Mask frame | Every 3 months |
| Headgear | Every 6 months |
| Tubing | Every 3 months |
| Disposable filters (2 per month) | Every 2 weeks |
| Non-disposable filter | Every 6 months |
| Water chamber | Every 6 months |
| Chinstrap | Every 6 months |
| CPAP machine | About every 5 years, on clinical need |
Important: This table reflects the Medicare-equivalent schedule that most VA facilities follow as an internal guideline. Individual VA facilities may use slightly different intervals. If your supplies are wearing out faster than these intervals, talk to your VA sleep medicine team. The VA can authorize earlier replacement when clinically justified.
If you are not sure which mask type is right for you, our Mask Finder Quiz can help you narrow down the best style for your sleep position and breathing pattern. And if you want to understand how your mask choice affects your therapy data, our CPAP mask types guide covers the trade-offs between nasal, full face, nasal pillow, and cradle masks.
How to Order Supplies
You can reorder CPAP supplies four ways. All of them go through the VA Denver Logistics Center (DLC), which ships supplies nationwide. These routes cover supplies only, meaning the chinstrap, hoses, filters, mask with headgear, cushions and liners, power cord, SD card, and water chamber. For a new or replacement machine, go through your VA sleep provider instead (see Common Issues below).
To order at all, you need to be enrolled in VA health care, registered as a patient at a VA medical center, and have a VA provider's prescription for the supplies.
1. Online
Sign in at va.gov/health-care/order-cpap-supplies (opens in new tab) and choose the supplies you need. Online ordering only works if you have ordered CPAP supplies from the VA within the past 2 years. If it has been longer, use the phone or mail option, or ask your local Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) office.
2. Phone
Call the Denver Logistics Center directly. The number is on the VA's CPAP supplies page (opens in new tab) (TTY: 711), and the line is open Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. Choose the option for accessories and CPAP supplies to reach a representative.
3. Mail
Fill out VA Form 2346b, the CPAP supplies order form, and mail it to the VA Denver Logistics Center, PO Box 25166, Denver, CO 80225-0166.
4. Your local PSAS office
Call or visit the PSAS office at your VA medical center. You can find it through va.gov/find-locations (opens in new tab). This is the best route when you need a mask fitting, want to try a different mask style, or have a supply problem the DLC cannot sort out. A prosthetics technician can fit you and order the right supplies.
The VA suggests reordering about 30 days before you will need the new supplies.
Tips for Getting the Right Supplies
Keep your mask prescription current. Your VA sleep medicine provider needs to have an active consult on file for CPAP supplies. If you have not had a sleep medicine follow-up in a while, schedule one. Some VA facilities require periodic follow-up before reauthorizing supply orders.
Request a fitting when switching masks. Do not just order a different mask online without being fitted. VA PSAS offices have fitting rooms with multiple mask options. A 15-minute fitting prevents months of leak and discomfort.
Track your compliance. If your AHI is high or your usage hours are low, your provider may want to discuss therapy adjustments before reordering. Use CPAP Clarity to review your nightly data and spot problems early, or use the Compliance Calculator to check where you stand against the Medicare 70%/4-hour threshold.
Know what you are currently using. When you call to reorder, have your mask model and size ready. This avoids receiving the wrong supplies. The model name is printed on the mask frame or in your CPAP machine's settings.
Do not wait until you run out. Order supplies before your current ones are worn. A degraded mask cushion causes leak, which reduces therapy effectiveness and can drive up your AHI. If you notice increasing leak in your CPAP data, it is probably time to replace the cushion.
VA vs. Buying Your Own Supplies
For enrolled veterans, there is rarely a reason to buy supplies out of pocket. The VA provides these supplies at no cost.
However, some veterans choose to buy specific items privately when:
- They want a mask model the VA does not currently stock
- They need supplies faster than the VA can ship them
- They want a travel-specific setup (like an AirMini with its own travel battery)
- They prefer a specific brand of CPAP pillow or comfort accessory
Retail prices for these supplies change often, so check current prices before you buy. Cushions and filters are the cheapest items; a complete mask, heated tubing, and the machine itself cost the most. For a veteran who replaces everything on schedule, buying privately adds up quickly, which is why the VA route is worth the wait for most people.
Common Issues and How to Handle Them
Shipping delays. The VA says supplies should arrive in 7 to 10 days, and can take longer when an item is out of stock. If you need supplies urgently, call your local PSAS office and explain the situation. They can sometimes expedite orders or provide items directly from their on-site stock.
Received the wrong size. Call your PSAS office immediately. They will send the correct size and arrange a return for the wrong one. If this happens repeatedly, request an in-person fitting to confirm your sizing.
Need to switch mask types. This requires a new consult from your sleep medicine provider. Schedule a PSAS fitting appointment. The technician will help you try different masks and update your prescription. Our mask types guide can help you prepare for what to ask.
Machine is more than 5 years old. Machines are not part of the supply reorder system, so contact your VA sleep medicine provider to discuss a replacement. The VA replaces machines based on clinical need, not a fixed calendar; 5 years is a common interval, not a rule. If your machine is malfunctioning, losing pressure, or no longer supported by the manufacturer, document the issues and bring them to your appointment.
Lost or damaged supplies while traveling. The VA can replace lost or damaged supplies. Contact your PSAS office. For future travel, consider a travel CPAP bag to protect your equipment.
Five Things to Remember
- All veterans enrolled in VA healthcare qualify for free CPAP supplies, not just those with service-connected sleep apnea.
- Reorder supplies online, by phone, or by mail through the Denver Logistics Center; online needs an order in the past 2 years.
- The VA follows a replacement schedule similar to Medicare's, but can authorize earlier replacement when clinically needed.
- Get fitted in person at your PSAS office when switching mask types.
- Track your therapy data with CPAP Clarity so you can spot supply wear (rising leak, declining seal quality) before it becomes a problem.
Primary Sources
- VA: Order CPAP supplies (opens in new tab): who can order, the online, phone, and mail routes, what can be ordered, and delivery times.
- 38 U.S.C. § 1701 (opens in new tab) and § 1710 (opens in new tab): prosthetic appliances as medical services, and the VA's authority to furnish care to enrolled veterans.
- 38 CFR §§ 17.3200–17.3250: prosthetic and rehabilitative items and services, including § 17.3230 (items furnished on clinical need).
- VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab): the services the VA charges copays for.
- CMS Local Coverage Determination L33718 (Positive Airway Pressure Devices): the Medicare supply schedule many VA facilities use as a baseline.
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