GUIDE · UPDATED 2026-11-07

CPAP Users and Power Outages: Utility Medical Programs and Backup Power

Short answer: Most utility medical programs give notification and disconnection protections rather than cash. California's Medical Baseline programs also add an extra allowance of energy at the lowest price tier. A few utilities in wildfire areas offer free or discounted backup batteries to eligible medical customers. No utility can guarantee your power stays on, so CPAP users should still plan backup power.

What utility medical programs usually provide

  • Medical certification / critical care / life-support registries: the utility flags your account, may give advance notice of planned outages, and applies extra protections before disconnection for non-payment. These programs generally do not promise priority restoration.
  • Medical Baseline (California): an additional allowance of electricity (and gas, where applicable) billed at the lowest baseline price. It lowers bills for eligible households but is not a flat percentage discount.
  • Backup battery programs: some utilities in high wildfire-risk areas provide portable batteries to eligible medical customers, often with income or location requirements.

Each utility page on this site lists the program name, what it provides and a link to the official enrollment page.

How to enroll

Enrollment almost always requires a form signed by a licensed medical practitioner confirming that someone in the home relies on electrically powered medical equipment such as a CPAP, BiPAP, oxygen concentrator, nebulizer or home dialysis. Certifications usually must be renewed periodically — check your utility's page for the current period.

How long will a battery run my CPAP?

A simple estimate is: battery capacity (Wh) × 0.85 ÷ CPAP power draw (W). Many CPAP machines draw roughly 30–60 W without the heated humidifier; the humidifier and heated tubing can more than double that. For example, a 2,000 Wh battery at 40 W gives about 2,000 × 0.85 ÷ 40 ≈ 42 hours. Using the manufacturer's DC power cord instead of the AC adapter usually extends runtime. Ask your device maker for your model's actual power figures.

A practical outage plan

  1. Register with your utility's medical program.
  2. Keep a charged backup battery sized for at least one or two nights.
  3. Know where you can go if an outage lasts longer (family, a hospital, a community resource center).
  4. Ask your doctor or equipment supplier about backup options for oxygen or other life-sustaining devices.

Frequently asked questions

Does CPAP qualify for Medical Baseline?

In California, CPAP and BiPAP machines are generally among the devices that can qualify for Medical Baseline when certified by a licensed medical practitioner. Confirm with your utility's current device list.

Will my utility restore my power first if I use a CPAP?

Usually not. Most utilities state they cannot guarantee priority restoration. Medical programs mainly provide notifications and disconnection protections, so you should have your own backup power.

Can I get a free battery for my CPAP from my utility?

Only in some areas. A few California utilities offer free or discounted batteries to eligible customers, usually in high wildfire-risk areas and sometimes with income limits. Check your utility's page for current programs.