A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine is a prescribed medical device used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. Because CPAP machines are classified as medical equipment, the rules for returning them are significantly more restrictive than for typical retail purchases. Understanding these complexities is important for anyone considering a purchase, as the standard “money-back guarantee” often does not apply. The difficulty in returning a CPAP device stems from its designation as a medical device that comes into close contact with a user’s respiratory system.
The Medical and Hygiene Barrier to Returns
The primary reason returns for used CPAP machines are nearly impossible lies in public health and hygiene regulations. CPAP machines are categorized as Durable Medical Equipment (DME). Once the sealed packaging is broken, the device is considered contaminated because it draws air and delivers it directly to the user’s airway, introducing the risk of cross-contamination from bodily fluids and respiratory pathogens.
Federal and state health laws, including guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), strictly regulate the handling of used medical devices. These regulations prohibit the resale of opened or used respiratory equipment to ensure patient safety and prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. Consequently, a CPAP machine that has been used, even once, is generally non-resalable. Vendors cannot accept it back for a refund due to a change of mind.
Policies Based on Vendor Type
The ability to return a CPAP machine heavily depends on the vendor from which it was acquired. Purchases made through a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider are often tied to health insurance coverage, complicating the return process. When a machine is obtained through insurance, it is typically considered a covered benefit, and a refund for non-use is rarely an option.
In this scenario, the DME provider’s contract with the insurance company dictates the terms, often allowing only for a replacement if the device is defective, not a monetary refund. Purchases covered partially or fully by insurance are frequently designated as non-returnable and non-refundable once the equipment has been dispensed. Any possibility of a return or refund must be negotiated directly between the user, the DME company, and the insurer, guided by the specific policy terms.
In contrast, online retailers or big box stores that sell CPAP machines directly to consumers may offer a return window. This almost always applies only to a completely unopened, factory-sealed package. If the seal is broken, the machine is immediately ineligible for return due to hygiene barriers. Even for unopened returns, vendors often impose a restocking fee, commonly ranging from 15% to 25% of the purchase price, to cover administrative and processing costs.
Understanding Trial and Adaptation Periods
Because a true retail return for a used machine is not feasible, the industry offers adaptation or trial periods. Many DME providers and insurance policies mandate a trial period, typically 30 to 90 days, designed for clinical adjustment rather than for a full refund. The primary purpose of this period is to ensure the user can adapt to the therapy and that the prescribed pressure settings are effective.
Adherence to therapy is a metric during this time. Medicare, for example, requires usage of at least four hours per night for 70% of the nights in a consecutive 30-day period within the first 90 days. If the user fails to meet this compliance requirement, the insurance company may cease coverage for the device, and the user may be responsible for the full cost. If a user struggles to adapt, the clinical solution involves adjusting the pressure, trying a different mask, or changing accessories, not returning the core machine for a refund.
Returns for Defective Equipment
The major exception to the strict no-return policy is when the CPAP machine is faulty or malfunctions, which falls under the manufacturer’s warranty. Most CPAP machines come with a warranty, usually lasting one to two years, covering defects in materials and workmanship. This warranty is a guarantee of function, not a guarantee of user satisfaction.
A claim for a defective machine generally results in a repair or a replacement unit, but not a monetary refund. The vendor or DME provider will typically facilitate this warranty process, acting as a liaison between the user and the manufacturer. Users should immediately document the defect and contact their supplier to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. Any attempt to return a machine without this authorization will likely be rejected. The manufacturer retains the discretion to determine if the issue is a covered defect or damage caused by misuse, which would void the warranty.