Positive airway pressure for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea

Published on 01 April 2026
Last Updated on 01 April 2026

Guidance Recommendations

The Ministry of Health’s Medical Technology Advisory Committee has recommended positive airway pressure (PAP) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in line with the following criteria:

• Automatic positive airway pressure (APAP) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can be considered for individuals ≥ 16 years old with moderate-to-severe OSA in line with the following criteria:

  • The individual meets the adherence criteria of APAP or CPAP use for ≥4 hours per night, for 70% of nights during a one-month trial of APAP or CPAP; AND

  • The individual should be assessed and reviewed by a specialist trained in sleep medicine and credentialled by institutions to manage OSA, according to the institution-based clinical privileging criteria.

Individuals are eligible for a one-time subsidy for APAP or CPAP.

Funding status

PAP is recommended for subsidy for the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe OSA, in line with the abovementioned recommendations. Subsidies apply only to devices listed in the Annex.

Positive airway pressure for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea - Guidance (Published 1 Apr 26)

Positive airway pressure for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea - Annex (Published 1 Apr 26)

Positive airway pressure for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea - Plain English Summary (Published 1 Apr 26)