CPAP Use: Beyond the 90-Day Mark

New research indicates that many individuals diagnosed with sleep apnea require more time than initially allowed to adapt to CPAP therapy. A study presented on May 20, 2026, at the American Thoracic Society's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida, found that over one-third of patients who did not initially meet Medicare's stringent adherence criteria were still using their CPAP machines a year later.

Medicare policy typically requires patients to use their CPAP machine at least four hours per night on 70% of nights within a 30-day period during the first 90 days of treatment to maintain insurance coverage. However, this study analyzed over 132,000 patients and found that 51% did not meet these initial thresholds.

Even among those who didn't meet the four-hour minimum, many were still using CPAP for at least two hours nightly, an amount known to alleviate sleep apnea symptoms. Researchers argue that current policies may prematurely cut off coverage for patients who would ultimately benefit from continued therapy and support.

The study's lead researcher, Dr. Dennis Hwang, suggested that clinicians and policymakers should reconsider relying solely on early CPAP use adherence. He proposed that extending support and coverage beyond the initial 90 days could significantly improve long-term outcomes for more patients. Future research aims to identify which patients are most likely to become long-term CPAP users and explore alternative coverage policies.