Your CPAP Machine — A Plain-English Guide

1 Mask is leaking — air blowing into my eyes all night

1. Turn the machine ON before you put the mask on — the pressure helps seat the seal.
2. Loosen the straps a notch. Tight straps cause leaks more than loose ones do.
3. Check the cushion — silicone wears out in 1-3 months. Replace it (covered by insurance — see PDF chapter 13).
4. Still leaking? Time for a mask refit. Most DME providers do it for free.

2 Cleaning the right way

1. Mask cushion daily: warm water + a drop of unscented dish soap. Rinse, air dry.
2. Hose weekly: warm soapy water through it, hang to dry over the shower rod.
3. Humidifier monthly: dump water, wipe, refill with distilled (never tap).
4. That's it. No SoClean. No ozone. No special wipes. Soap and warm water do the job — the FDA confirms it.

3 Pressure feels wrong / I can't fall asleep

1. Turn on the ramp feature — most CPAPs start at 4 cmH2O and ramp up to prescribed pressure over 20-45 minutes.
2. If you're getting startled awake at the same point every night, the auto-ramp may be ending too abruptly — your DME can adjust.
3. Pressure changes are a doctor decision, not a self-adjustment. Don't change the prescribed setting yourself.

4 Re-ordering supplies — what's covered

1. Call your DME provider (Apria, AdaptHealth, Lincare, etc.). Tell them you're due for resupply.
2. Medicare typically covers: mask cushion every month, full mask every 3 months, headgear every 6 months, hose every 3 months, filters every 2 weeks.
3. They'll often ship automatically once you're set up. If they don't, call and ask for the resupply line.
4. Insurance changes? Call the new insurer before reordering.

5 What AHI on my data card means

1. AHI = Apnea-Hypopnea Index. The number of times per hour you stopped breathing or breathed shallowly.
2. Under 5 is great. 5-15 is mild. 15-30 is moderate. Over 30 means call the sleep doctor.
3. Your CPAP's job is to keep your AHI under 5. If it's staying high, your settings may need adjustment (doctor decision).
4. Most modern CPAPs sync to an app (ResMed's myAir, Philips' DreamMapper). Worth using.

⚠️ "Free CPAP cleaning machine" robocalls — hang up.

If you get a call saying you're "approved" for a free CPAP cleaning device (SoClean, Lumin, generic ozone cleaner), that's a scam. The FDA has warned that ozone "CPAP cleaners" can actually damage the hose and mask — and Medicare doesn't cover them as DME (durable medical equipment), so the "approved" claim is false. Real cleaning is mild soap and warm water on the mask cushion and hose, weekly. That's it. No legitimate supplier cold-calls you about a cleaning machine.

Other CPAP scams to know:

• "Your CPAP is recalled" robocalls asking for your insurance info. There was a real Philips DreamStation recall — but Philips contacts you in writing, not by phone, and never asks for your credit card. Look up the official recall site instead: philips.com/src-update.
• Out-of-network "free" supplies websites that ship cheap masks and bill your insurance $400 each. Stick with the DME supplier your sleep doctor referred — they're contracted with your insurer at fair rates.
• "Used CPAP machines for sale" on Facebook Marketplace. Pressure settings are prescriptive. A used machine without a current prescription can hurt you. If cost is the issue, ask your sleep clinic about hardship pricing or a refurb through the manufacturer.

If you're ever unsure: call me first at (330) 200-8042 before you press 1, click a link, or give out your insurance ID. Always free, no judgment. 30 seconds on the phone saves a lot of grief.