How to Order CPAP Supplies Through the VA

If you are a veteran enrolled in VA healthcare, the VA will furnish your CPAP machine and all replacement supplies at no cost to you. 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. § 1714 (opens in new tab) and 38 CFR § 17.150, the VA furnishes prosthetic appliances to any veteran receiving VA care or services.

CPAP machines and supplies are classified as prosthetic items. That means:

• Service-connected veterans receive CPAP supplies at no cost, no copay, no questions.
• Non-service-connected veterans enrolled in VA healthcare also receive CPAP supplies at no cost. Per VHA Directive 1173.01, prosthetic items are not subject to copayment regardless of service-connection status.
• You must be enrolled in VA healthcare (any priority group 1 through 8) 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

All of these are furnished at no cost through the VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS).

Replacement Schedule

The VA does not publish a single national replacement schedule the way Medicare does. Under 38 CFR § 17.150, the official standard is "based on 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
Mask cushion (nasal or full face)	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	Every 5 years

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

There are three ways to reorder CPAP supplies through the VA.

1. Online (VA Health Portal)

The VA Denver Logistics Center (DLC) handles prosthetic supply orders nationwide. You can order online through the VA health portal at va.gov (opens in new tab). Log in, navigate to the prosthetics or medical supplies section, and place a reorder for your current supplies.

The online system is the fastest option. Most orders ship within a few business days.

2. Phone

Call your local VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) office. You can find the number through va.gov/find-locations (opens in new tab) by searching for your VA medical center and navigating to the Prosthetics department.

The Denver Logistics Center handles national prosthetics orders. Your local PSAS office can provide the current contact number.

Phone ordering is useful when you need to change mask types, request a new fitting, or discuss supply issues that the online portal cannot handle.

3. In Person

Visit your VA medical center's PSAS office. This is the best option if you need a mask fitting, want to try a different mask style, or have a supply that is not working well. A prosthetics technician can fit you on the spot and order the correct 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 everything 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 (opens in new tab) with its own travel battery (opens in new tab))
• They prefer a specific brand of CPAP pillow (opens in new tab) or comfort accessory

For reference, retail prices for common CPAP supplies (pricing as of April 2026):

Supply	Approximate Retail Price
Mask cushion	$15 to $40
Complete mask assembly	$80 to $200
Headgear	$20 to $40
Standard tubing	$15 to $30
Heated tubing	$40 to $70
Filters (pack of 6 disposable)	$8 to $15
Water chamber	$25 to $50
CPAP machine (auto)	$500 to $1,200

The VA's replacement schedule, while sometimes slower than buying directly, saves most veterans $200 to $500 per year in supplies alone.

Common Issues and How to Handle Them

Shipping delays. VA supply orders typically arrive within 7 to 14 business days. 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. Contact your VA sleep medicine provider to discuss a replacement. The VA replaces machines based on clinical need, not a fixed calendar. 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 (opens in new tab) to protect your equipment.

Key Takeaways

1. All veterans enrolled in VA healthcare qualify for free CPAP supplies, not just those with service-connected sleep apnea.
2. Order online through the VA health portal for the fastest turnaround.
3. The VA follows a replacement schedule similar to Medicare's, but can authorize earlier replacement when clinically needed.
4. Get fitted in person at your PSAS office when switching mask types.
5. Track your therapy data with CPAP Clarity so you can spot supply wear (rising leak, declining seal quality) before it becomes a problem.

Sources

• 38 U.S.C. § 1714 (opens in new tab): Authority for furnishing prosthetic appliances to veterans.
• 38 CFR § 17.150: Eligibility for prosthetic items (all enrolled veterans).
• VHA Directive 1173.01: Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service administration, including no-copay policy.