The Government of Saskatchewan is making sleep apnea services more affordable to patients requiring them.

Beginning on October 1, residents of the province with moderate or severe sleep apnea needing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines will be able to acquire them through a bulk purchasing process.

For the 2017/18 fiscal year, the government agreed they would only cover CPAP for low-income residents receiving Supplementary and Family Health Benefits.

"Following consultation with respirologists and review of processes in other jurisdictions, we've determined that the same annual savings could be achieved from an alternate approach," Health Minister Jim Reiter said. "This approach will reduce costs for patients and allow better access for those who need it, while still achieving the same savings for the province."

After revisiting the sleep apnea services, the government has agreed residents with sleep apnea will be able to receive a machine on loan at a cost of $275 for the life of the machine.

Before the change patients had to pay approximately $1,500 for the machine.

Low-income residents receiving Supplementary and Family Health Benefits will continue being fully covered by the province.