FAQ

Home sleep testing is done in the convenience of the patients home rather than in a sleep lab or a hospital. Home sleep testing does not have a sleep technician monitoring you at your home while you are sleeping with the device. We mail this small device directly to your home for you to put on before you go to bed and simply press the “on” button to begin at night and the “off” button in the morning.

The home sleep device is compact, lightweight, and easy-to-use as well as cost-efficient and capable of recording all the required channels of information. The devices we send to the patients’ homes are capable of recording up to five channels of information: respiratory effort, pulse oxygen saturation, nasal flow, and snoring. These devices may be small and simple to use, but they provide accurate and secure data.

If you were referred to us by your doctor,  we will contact you directly to schedule you for your sleep study.

You may also contact us at (888) 823-7756  Monday-Friday 8 am to 5:30 pm or email us at info@americansleepcenters.com.

The Home Sleep Test is shipped using the United States Postal Service.  A return shipping label will be included in your kit to make shipping back the device quick and easy.

If you have any questions on the night of your home test, you may reach our “after-hours” help line seven nights a week from 7 pm- 7 am at (888) 823-7756.

You will be contacted to be given step by step directions on how to use the device on the day you receive it.  Written instructions and a link to an online instructional video are also provided for you.

If you pick up the device at our sleep center, our qualified staff will instruct you and answer any questions you may have on the home sleep device.

If you have any questions on the night of your home test, you can reach our “after-hours” help line seven nights a week from 7 pm-7 am at (888) 823-7756.

Please wear the home sleep test device on the night you receive the device. It is very important that you keep your return appointment or ship the device back to us as soon as possible as we may have other patients scheduled to use the testing equipment.

If for any reason you cannot test on the first night, please contact customer service (888) 823-7756.

We provide fast, accurate, and secure sleep study results to your referring physician within a consistent seven to ten day working timeframe.

If you referred yourself directly to us, your results will be sent to you directly.

The results of your home sleep study will decide which step is recommended for you to take next. If you test positive for sleep Apnea, a sleep center or in-home CPAP titration study may be recommended to determine the pressure required for you. These decisions are made based on the results of your study and what your medical insurance covers for you on your plan.

There is some waiting time for patients and this can be frustrating because we all like to know how we did and how everything went with our studies. Most of us live with this problem for longer then we should and even though we want a solution right away, it does take time for everything to be scored and signed off on accurately.

The worst part is over and you are much closer to a good night’s sleep.   We do recommend you arrange your follow-up appointment with your referring physician or with us a couple of weeks after your sleep study is complete.

Any sleep-related problem can be evaluated. Some common problems include insomnia, which is trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Some of the more popular causes of insomnia are restless legs syndrome (RLS), medication dependency, and anxiety/depression. Another common problem is daytime sleepiness, which may be a result of more serious sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy.

Children under 18 years of age and seniors above the age of 65 are not eligible for receiving home sleep testing.

If a patient has other medical problems such as neuromuscular disease and congestive heart failure, home sleep tests are not recommended.

A sleep disorder evaluation is a medical assessment. It may begin with an office visit where the patient is interviewed by a sleep disorder specialist, or the primary care physician may simply refer the patient for overnight testing. Because the diagnosis of many sleep disorders requires that the patient sleep overnight in the laboratory, the American Sleep Centers provides sleep rooms that are private and comfortable in a hotel-like setting. Sleep patterns are monitored by applying sensors to the skin’s surface which record brain waves, muscle tone, eye movements, heart rate, breathing patterns, and body movements. This monitoring process is painless, and a technologist is available all night to assure the patient’s comfort.

Once a primary care physician has referred the patient for a sleep disorders evaluation, overnight sleep testing is a procedure covered by most insurance plans, as well as Medicare. At American Sleep Centers, we assist patients by verifying their coverage and obtaining any pre-certification or authorization the insurance might require.

We may prescribe for example analgesia treatment for your condition. Please let us know in case you have any allergy or other medical condition.

If you have already been taking drugs prescribed by your doctor, please bring them with you for clarification or possible drug interactions and correlations with the new condition.

Because the evaluation requires that sleep patterns be observed at night, the patient must spend the entire night at the sleep center. Each patient receives one-on-one attention from the technologist.

All the sleep rooms at American Sleep Centers are private suites. Each suite has its one private showers & restroom, DirectTV and sleep number bed, and patients are welcome to watch television or a video they’ve brought from home.

Tests are generally finished by 5:30 a.m. the following morning, but if necessary, special arrangements can be made to complete the study earlier.

Yes.

Free parking & Semi-truck parking is available in front and around American Sleep Centers.

An in-center all-night sleep study is exceptionally valuable for diagnosing and treating many sleep disorders and helps physicians understand exactly what happens while you sleep. Many people expect a sleep center to be cold, bright, technical and impersonal-looking as if you are being monitored in a research center.

American Sleep Centers offers you:

• Your own private room
• Your own private restroom & shower
• Directv
• Sleep Number beds
• Decorated in beautiful furnishings, similar to a nice hotel

When you arrive at our sleep center for your scheduled appointment, the technician will greet you and show you to your bedroom. You will be shown the equipment that will be used and given a chance to ask questions. You should inform the sleep technician of any changes in your sleep or specific difficulties you have not already discussed with your health care provider.

While you are sleeping, various important body functions and measurements are recorded. The technician will monitor your sleep throughout the night from a nearby room. Electrode wires will be gathered together behind your head so you can roll over and change positions.

If your doctor has referred you to us, we will contact you directly to schedule you for your sleep study.

You can also contact us at (888) 823-7756 or info@americansleepcenters.com Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm. Please visit any of our Social Media sites for more information.

If you were referred to us by your Doctor, we will contact you directly to schedule you for your sleep study.

You may also submit a message here or call us at (888) 823-7756 during daytime working hours 8am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday. Please also visit us any of our social media sites for more information.

Our in-center sleep study appointments are mostly during the nighttime hours and those appointments start between 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Each sleep technician may be attending to more than one patient per night at the sleep center and will spend 45 minutes with each patient completing the electrode hook-up placed on the head, face and body. The sleep study test will typically conclude at 6:00 am the following morning.

Patients are encouraged to bring comfortable sleep wear, yes, it is good when everyone wears sleepwear for their sleep study. Two -piece sleepwear containing a separate top and a separate bottom are ideal.

No, the sleep technician cannot give you the results of your sleep study. Each sleep study is first scored and then reviewed by an interpreting physician before a diagnosis is made. The technologist cannot provide any diagnosis or final PAP pressure, in the case of a titration study.

The results of your sleep study will be interpreted by one of our Board Certified Sleep Physicians and will be ready within seven to ten working days. Your physician will likely contact you once the results are ready although it is best to schedule your follow up visit with him/her as soon as you complete your sleep study.
If you referred yourself to us, the results of the sleep study will be sent to you directly.

Insomnia is usually a symptom, typically secondary to something else. It is best characterized as the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or waking too early in the morning. These types of sleep disruptions are often indicators of other medical or psychological problems, such as sleep disorders or depression and anxiety.

Insomnia is thought to be symptomatic of other things. For instance, many psychiatrists have long noted a strong connection between depression sufferers and insomnia symptoms to the point that they believe insomnia is a symptom of depression and anxiety. But insomnia can also be caused by poor sleep hygiene or lifestyle habits and practices surrounding bedtime—you might not have a set bedtime, or keep the TV on while you’re trying to sleep. You may drink a cup of coffee or a diet caffeinated soda too close to bedtime, or you might just be going through a spell of work-related stress that is keeping you awake. Symptoms to be on the look-out for include: fatigue during awake hours, problems concentrating, irritability, lack of concentration, mood swings, and possible lack of good coordination.

Insomnia can be short-term, even one night—called transient insomnia, or it could be long-term or chronic. Some people live with insomnia for years, passing it off as their “normal” sleep pattern. Most adults require between seven and nine hours of sleep per night. This can drop slightly as you age, but only sleeping for three hours a night is abnormal.

Insomnia treatments are available. Since insomnia is a big sign of some other problem, your physician’s overall goal is to diagnose the primary cause for your insomnia before providing treatment for the insomnia or secondary sleep disturbance. Treatments can include: prescription sleep aids, non-prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids, sleep hygiene, alternative therapies, or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Brief bouts of insomnia happen to most adults for one reason or another—relationship problems, pulling an all-nighter, PMS can cause a monthly bout, stress at work, — all of which usually resolve themselves. Long-term insomnia that affects your daily life should be brought to the attention of your doctor. Remember, insomnia is a secondary symptom of something else going on physically or mentally. Here is a self-assessment quiz to help you to evaluate your situation.

If insomnia is a secondary symptom to obstructive, central or complex sleep apnea, then yes it can be life-threatening. The insomnia itself is not the problem, but the root cause of the insomnia is dangerous.

Even though PAP therapy is the most effective treatment that exists sleep apnea, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is forever. More than likely it will be forever. It is important to understand that one night without using the PAP therapy usually causes an immediate return of the same symptoms that motivated you to get help in the first place.
Weight loss can be hugely beneficial.

If sleep apnea only occurs during pregnancy, this will resolve in time.

Most people experience some inconvenience until they get used to using the PAP therapy equipment. Many people with sleep apnea will put up with this time of inconvenience because it is worth the trade off. They know the trade off includes better quality sleep, improved daytime alertness and function, and decreased risk for long-term health problems.

Technology is continuing to advance, including the treatment devices for sleep conditions. The devices are getting smaller, quieter, easier to use and less intrusive.

Alternatives exist such as oral appliances and surgical options and more are being researched and developed all the time.

Something better may come along which may keep you from having to use your PAP equipment for the rest of your life.

If you stick with the PAP therapy, don’t view it as a prison sentence for life. Instead, recognize it as a simple intervention that can drastically change your life for the better.

It is important that you wear your PAP device when you sleep, every night. If you experience difficulty getting used to sleeping with the device, we recommend you use it for as long as you can each night. Then add an hour each night until you are able to sleep with the device for the entire night.

If you are using a disposable filter (usually white colored and thinner than a non-disposable filter) you should change it twice a month. However, keep in mind that you may need to swap out these filters more often depending on the quality of the air in your room.

A heated humidifier specifically designed for your PAP device may help reduce dryness. Please refer to the user manual for operation instructions.

Most humidifiers come with a water chamber that has a maximum water level mark on them. Do not pour water past this mark. The water used with the humidifier needs to be distilled water and must be changed daily.

Our DME department is happy to help answer any questions you have and can be reached by calling (888) 823-7756.

It’s important for your comfort and health that you replace your mask and supplies as recommended to ensure every component is working at its best. Even minimal replacement can help drive effective therapy. However, failing to replace certain items on the mask and PAP device may lead to poor outcomes.  Most insurance companies will authorize replacement supplies every 90 days.

Daily:
Wash the mask cushion in warm, soapy water – rinse and allow to air dry
Change the distilled water in the humidifier tank

Weekly:
Wash the humidifier tank in warm, soapy water – rinse and allow to air dry
Wash the tubing in warm, soapy water – rinse and allow to air dry

Monthly:
Change the cushion in the mask
Change the filter in the CPAP device (may replace up to two times per month)

Copay: The amount that you are responsible for paying yourself, as mandated by your insurance contract, to have a sleep study or other services.
Deductible: This is the total amount that the patient needs to pay initially out of pocket before the insurance company makes any payments for medical services. For instance, if your insurance plan has a $1000 deductible per year, you have to pay this amount in full before your insurance company starts to contribute.

Co-insurance: Some insurances have a co-insurance instead of/in addition to a deductible. This means that the patient is responsible for a percentage of the fees of the medical services. For instance, if your insurance plan has a 20% co-insurance, this means that your insurance will make you responsible for 20% of the fees and they will pay the rest. This is usually after the deductible has been met.

Out-of-pocket Maximum: The most you’ll have to pay during a policy period (usually a year) for services. Once you’ve reached your out-of-pocket max, your plan begins to pay 100% of the allowed amount for covered services.

Most insurances (HMO, PPO and Medicare) cover sleep studies and PAP therapy for the treatment of sleep disorders. Plans may vary in their coverage (see below: rental versus purchase for PAP device set-ups and in-lab denied for in-home sleep testing) and many now require authorization for these services. These authorizations can take your insurance company up to 21 days to process.

Some insurance companies are now requesting in-home studies (HST) rather than in-lab testing . Typically, they will deny a request for in-center testing if there are no significant medical issues.

Based on your insurance coverage, you may have a copay for your sleep study, PAP device set-up or replacement supply order. If this is the case, we will let you know at the time of service (for supply orders we will send you a statement once we receive the explanation of benefits after your claim is processed by your insurance company) and collect your payment.

Many insurance companies, including PPO and commercial plans, are now requiring authorizations for more and more services, including sleep studies and PAP devices. As a courtesy, we will request authorization from your insurance company and sometimes authorizations are denied or more information is required from the patient or physician. If this is the case, we will contact you to help us provide the information requested to your insurance company. Some insurance companies can take up to 21 days to authorize services, so please be patient with us.

Many insurance companies are now paying for PAP devices on a monthly basis as a rental. You may call us at 866-987-1611 or email us at info@americansleepcenters to find out if your insurance will be paying as a rental or purchase. You are also welcome to call your insurance company to find out all the details directly.

Many insurance companies now pay for PAP devices on a monthly rental basis, typically 4 to 10 months. At the end of this approved rental period, you will own the device. Because it is a monthly rental, your insurance may require a monthly or quarterly compliance report to continue payment for the device.

A compliance report is proof that you are using your device for a minimum of 4 hours per day at least 22 days out of a consecutive 30 day period within the preceding 90 days (in the past 3 months).