Insurance Coverage for Your Sleep Study – What You Need To Know

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, Sleep Disorders, Uncategorized

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When your doctor refers you to a sleep center to understand your snoring issues, one of your first questions you’d have would probably be related to cost. Will your insurance cover it? How much will they pay and how much will you have to pay? The answers to these questions will depend on your insurance provider, but you can take comfort in the fact that many sleep studies are covered by insurance.

What insurance covers sleep studies?

Sometimes the only way to really know what is going on with your snoring is to visit a sleep center. It may take thorough observation by specialists to get to the bottom of the problem – something that can cost a good deal of money. Fortunately, Health.com says that almost all insurance programs cover sleep studies. This includes Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans.

What types of sleep studies are covered?

A typical insurance plan will cover several different types of sleep studies, depending on your doctor’s recommendation and the specific insurer. The amount you pay out of your pocket will depend on your deductible and plan. The costs can vary considerably, so it is worth considering all of your options.

The most well-known type of study is conducted in a lab. According to the LA Times, a common lab study will measure over a dozen body functions through sensors in an actual laboratory setting. The cost of this kind of study can be several thousand dollars.

There are also home studies now available that cost a few hundred dollars and may be enough for your particular circumstances. They measure far fewer variables, but they are significantly less complicated and your doctor may consider them adequate.

What should you gather for your insurance company?

The best way to know what your insurance company will need to make a decision on your sleep study is to call and ask. Every insurer is different and yours may have different requirements on what information you need to provide. However, there are some common things that most insurers will ask for:

  • Your most recent prescription from your doctor for the sleep study
  • All notes from your doctor related to your snoring and the need for a sleep study
  • Information from your doctor stating that your snoring is possibly related to further health concerns

This last bit of information is important. Most insurance companies will not cover treatment for snoring alone, as they consider it a cosmetic issue. It must be related to another health issue – like sleep apnea – to warrant coverage.

 

Sleep Deprivation Can Spike Your Cortisol Levels

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Sleep Disorders

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Sleep deprived? Too little sleep can spike up the level of cortisol in your body. Cortisol is the stress hormone which increases appetite, and has your body calling for starchy and sugary foods.

Before you know it your waistline is expanding and more belly fat begins to hang over your swimsuit – one of the more obvious changes you begin to notice.  It’s the cortisol working on the body. It’s breaking down your muscle mass while storing fat in the abdominal region. 

To make matters worse cortisol can also affect your libido, cause depression and lead to memory loss.

It may be time to make some lifestyle changes.  How can you become healthier and at the same time improve your swimsuit body?

Start with getting a good night’s sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each day. Not getting adequate sleep affects your cortisol level and leads to belly fat.

So, if you are keeping your bed partner up at night, consider having a sleep study to learn why.  Snoring or any number of other issues may be the cause.  Find out what can be done to stop the snoring or address these issues to improve your quality of life and you’ll be happier and healthier. 

So will your bed partner!

Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Worsened by Sleep Apnea

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Sleep Disorders

People diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) already have enough to deal with, including fatigue. But researchers are finding that the presence of obstructive sleep apnea can make fatigue even more prevalent. Because sleep apnea is a common occurrence for those with MS, it has a great impact on their quality of life by exacerbating a symptom that’s very debilitating.

A study was conducted at Ann Arbor’s University of Michigan Multiple Sclerosis & Sleep Disorders Centers. Of those studies, one-fifth were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and one-half were considered to be at a high risk for developing the condition. Sleep apnea places additional health risk on those with MS because it compromises health and the individual’s quality of life. As a chronic illness causing further debilitation to MS sufferers, it’s vital that OSA be diagnosed in a timely manner.

Doctors at the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend that people with MS who suspect they suffer from a form of sleep apnea should seek a referral to a sleep medicine physician. Likewise, our upcoming Sleep Center Directory can assist individuals with MS in getting the diagnosis and treatment they need.

The team of doctors involved in the study at the University of Michigan Sleep Disorders Center selected their subjects through a questionnaire on sleep and four instruments created to assess daytime sleepiness, severity of insomnia and severity of fatigue. Medical records of the people participating in the study also revealed the clinical characteristics that could help predict the person’s risk of OSA or fatigue.

As explained by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the chronic condition of sleep apnea involves periodic stoppage of or decreased airflow as the individual sleeps. While the muscles relax, the soft tissue located at the back of the person’s throat can collapse, causing a blockage to the upper airway. Many people suffering with this condition are known to snore loudly. In addition to having OSA diagnosed and treated, there are also many options for dealing with snoring so the individual and his or her loved one can get a better night’s sleep.

Because sleep apnea is a condition that’s under-recognized in MS sufferers, doctors and researchers want to raise awareness and encourage those with the condition to be tested for sleep apnea. Approximately 400,000 people in the US have multiple sclerosis, with 12 percent of them diagnosed with sleep apnea.

Have A Sleep Disorder? Consult With A Specialist, Not Google

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, Sleep Disorders

Finding Sleep Information Online Is No Substitute for Visiting a Sleep Specialist

Searching the internet for medical and health information is more common today than ever before. With websites like RealAge, WebMD and Wellness.com among others recording millions of visitors per month, it is apparent that we have become reliant on Googling illnesses, slepping disorders as well as, symptoms for guidance. Studies show that 80% of adults who use the internet have searched the web for medical or health information, many of whom have searched for better sleep information.

Why Every CPAP User Must Own A CPAP Battery Backup

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, Sleep Disorders

Do You Need A CPAP Battery Backup For Your CPAP?

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I’ve often wondered what happens when CPAP users suddenly lose power in the middle of the night.  Whether it’s the usual power outage, or one of those “once a century” storms that seem to be occurring with surprising frequency (e.g. Hurricane Irene; Sandy), CPAP users must be prepared. During prolonged power outages, most CPAP users were without power and did not have a CPAP battery backup option. Even those prepared with generators were probably hesitant to power their CPAP devices, as they may have needed power for other purposes.

The Hazards Of Your Toddler Snoring

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, Sleep Disorders

Snoring In Children Is A Cause For Concern

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With many new parents overwhelmed with the myriad of parenting responsibilities, snoring may sometimes be overlooked. While your toddler snoring may seem quite harmless, the possible effects are quite alarming. Unresolved snoring issues will affect your child as they grow up and start schooling. Many times the lack of healthy sleep will cause your child to be inattentive, disruptive, and this often results in misdiagnosis of having ADHD.  In fact, your child may have a sleeping disorder affecting his/her behavior and can lead to longer term issues.

Flying with Sleep Apnea: Taking Your CPAP is a Challenge

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, Sleep Disorders

For people with sleep apnea, traveling just got a bit more difficult (as if it wasn’t enough already!). 

The new rules for TSA screening took effect on August 4, 2007. How did these new rule effect frequent flyers with sleep apnea conditions?

The government rules state large electronic equipment such as video cameras, DVD players, laptops and (yes) CPAP machines must be removed from carry-on luggage and placed in bins. This a major nuisance and inconvenience for business travelers traveling only with carry-ons  and also have a laptop.

Sleep Disorders Have a Greater Effect on Your Health Than You Think!

Written by Manny Erlich. Posted in Blog, Sleep Disorders

Everyone loves getting a good night’s sleep, but unfortunately it’s not always possible for everyone to do so. Sleep disorders affect many, many people for the short and long term. Sleep disorders can make you grumpy and feel bad, but they also have some very serious effects on your health.

We’ve put together this short list of some article summaries all about sleep disorders. Here are a few of our favorite and most helpful: