A new fee for the use of a CPAP machine will apply to residents of Southern Health. The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device is used to treat sleep apnea. The fee was announced this week by the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority but will apply province-wide because the entire provincial program is administered by the WRHA. Krista Williams, Chief Health Operations Officer for the WRHA, says people will be required to pay $500 toward the $1,300 cost of a CPAP machine, both for the initial acquisition and each time it needs to be replaced, which is about every five years. Williams adds many people won't have to pay the cost entirely out of pocket.

"There are many private insurance programs that offer some kind of financial support and that will help reduce that individual co-payment. For individuals who are receiving employment assistance, they may be eligible for additional assistance. In addition to that, we've established an appeal process because we know there are individuals who cannot afford this change and have extenuating circumstances, so we'll have that appeals process in place."

Williams says the change will save the health care system a significant amount of money.

"We expect to save an approximate amount of $4.9 million per year. We have around 2,800 new patients a year for CPAP and currently we have 16,000 people throughout the province that use CPAP equipment and supplies."

The new fee will take effect April 23rd.