Sleep Apnea Testing

Do you suspect that you are suffering from sleep apnea?

Many people experiencing symptoms related to sleep apnea are thinking about sleep apnea testing but, before making any visit to your doctor, you should check with your insurance company.

Your insurance company may require you to get a referral from your primary physician or require you to attend a specific testing facility. In addition, some insurance policies have strict requirements about consultations and treatment for sleep apnea.

Doctors who specialize in sleep medicine may be pulmonologists, neurologists, otolaryngologists, psychiatrists and family practitioners and their expertise in the field comes from working with other specialists, studying sleep medicine through a residency program, going through a continuing medical education course and attending scientific meetings. Also, you will find that some dentists have studied sleep apnea and can treat patients with oral appliances. It is important to ask your doctor about his background with this disease and that you understand how the doctor plans to diagnose and, if necessary, treat the disease in your particular case.

If you do not receive a list of sleep testing centers from your insurance company or primary physician then you can find a list from a number of sources. It would be wise to research the physicians, sleep centers and laboratories associate with the American Sleep Disorders Association or AASM. The AASM requires all physicians, sleep centers and laboratories listed on their website to pay membership dues and gives accreditation to medical facilities. Also, you can check with local hospitals and healthcare companies for suggestions on testing facilities. Furthermore, family, friends and neighbors could be of help in locating a doctor or treatment facility for sleep apnea testing.

Many insurance companies do not cover the diagnosis or treatment of sleep apnea, while others will provide cover but often place strict limits on the extent of that cover. Bearing in mind that the treatment of sleep apnea can be expensive depending upon a variety of different factors including such things as where you live, who provides your treatment and just what type of treatment is given, you would be wise to look carefully at just what cover you do have before embarking on any sleep apnea testing or treatment plan.