How to Transfer Sleep Care When You Move

Quick answer: Before you move, request your sleep study report, CPAP prescription, compliance data and clinic notes. Register with a new clinic early, confirm that your equipment supplier can serve your new address, and arrange a follow-up before your current prescription or supplies run out. Do not stop treatment during the gap.

Start before the move, not after

Transferring care is easier when you have time. Two or three weeks before the move, contact your current clinic and ask for a copy of your records. In most countries you are entitled to them, though a small administrative fee may apply. Ask for the full study report, not just the summary letter.

If you use CPAP, download or request your device data. The new clinician will want to see usage, leak and residual events, not just a report that says "compliant".

The records checklist

• Sleep study report, including the raw data if available
• CPAP prescription with device type, mode, pressure settings and mask details
• Compliance and efficacy reports from the last three to twelve months
• Clinic notes and letters from your sleep physician
• Relevant blood tests, imaging and other specialist reports
• A list of medications and allergies
• Your equipment supplier's details and warranty information

Keep a digital copy in cloud storage and a paper copy in your bag. Records often get lost between clinics.

Finding a new clinic

Ask your current clinic whether it has a colleague or correspondent in your new area. Professional sleep societies and directories can help. If you are moving to a different country, check that the new clinician can access your records and that your prescription is valid there.

Book the first appointment before you move if possible. Ask what referral or documentation the new clinic needs. In public systems, a new GP referral may be required even if you already have a diagnosis. Our guide to choosing a sleep clinic lists the questions to ask.

Prescriptions and equipment

A CPAP prescription is not automatically valid everywhere. In the US, a prescription is generally required to buy a machine or mask, and it may have an expiry date. In other countries, the rules vary. Ask the new clinic whether it will accept your existing prescription or whether you need a new assessment.

If you are moving within the same country, your supplier may be able to transfer your account or ship supplies to the new address. If you are moving abroad, check voltage, plug type, warranty coverage and whether the supplier will ship internationally. A travel CPAP may be useful during the transition, but it is not a substitute for a full-size machine if you need humidification or higher pressure.

Insurance and funding

Moving can change your insurance network, Medicare coverage or public funding. Contact your insurer or health system before the move and ask:

• Is the new clinic in network?
• Does the equipment supplier serve my new address?
• Is a new referral or prior authorisation needed?
• Will my existing CPAP be covered, or do I need a new machine?
• What is the process for transferring supplies?

Keep copies of approvals. A gap in coverage can interrupt supplies even when the medical need has not changed.

Timing the handover

Aim for at least one appointment with the new clinic before your current supplies run out. If that is not possible, ask your current clinician for a bridging prescription or a longer supply. Do not wait until the last mask cushion is worn out.

If you are moving to a rural area, ask about telehealth follow-up and postal supplies. Our article on rural sleep care covers the practical options.

What to tell the new clinician

Prepare a one-page summary: your diagnosis, date of study, treatment, current settings, average usage, main symptoms, and what has changed since the last review. Include any side effects, mask problems or weight changes. This is more useful than a stack of old letters.

Be honest about gaps in treatment. If you stopped CPAP for a few months, say so. The new clinician needs to know whether the treatment is working, not whether you were a good patient.

If you cannot get your records

Ask the clinic in writing for a copy of your records and keep the request. If the clinic has closed, the records may be held by a successor practice or a national health authority. Your GP may have copies of specialist letters and test results.

If records are truly unavailable, the new clinic may need to repeat some tests. That is frustrating but not dangerous. Do not buy a new machine on the assumption that your old settings are correct without a review.

Questions for the new clinic

1. Will you accept my existing sleep study and prescription?
2. Do I need a new referral?
3. Can you access my old records, or should I bring copies?
4. How do you handle CPAP supplies and mask fitting?
5. What is the follow-up schedule?
6. Who do I contact if the equipment fails?

You can search for services in your new area through our sleep doctor directory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new sleep study when I move?

Not usually, if your original study and prescription are available and the new clinic accepts them. Some clinics may repeat a study if the records are incomplete or your symptoms have changed significantly.

Is my CPAP prescription valid in another country?

Not automatically. Prescription rules and equipment standards differ. Ask the new clinic and supplier whether they will accept it or require a local assessment.

Can I transfer my CPAP supplies to a new address?

Many suppliers can update your address or transfer your account within the same country. International shipping and warranty coverage vary. Ask before you move.

What if there is a gap in my treatment?

Tell the new clinician. They can review your data and help you restart. Do not hide the gap or use old settings without advice, especially if your weight or health has changed.

How long does it take to transfer care?

It depends on the system. A private clinic may arrange an appointment within weeks; a public service may take longer. Start the process before you move and ask for a bridging supply if needed.

Can I use telehealth with my old clinic after moving?

Sometimes, if the clinician is licensed in your new location and the clinic allows it. Cross-border licensing rules may prevent it. Ask before relying on it.

This article is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace an assessment by a qualified clinician who can review your history, medications and test results.