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Have a Question?
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does the test cost?Please click the link below to see pricing information.
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What other services do you offer and how much do they cost?We offer virtual consultation/second opinion appointments as well as routine follow-up appointments. All our visits are done virtually online. Please see our Order page for pricing information.
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How does the disposable home sleep test work. It is really reliable?The disposable home sleep test uses PAT (Peripheral Arterial Tonometry) technology to sense apneas. This is an FDA-approved device for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and is similar to Watch PAT which uses the same type of technology to sense apnea events during sleep. To use the test download the app which will connect to the sensor via Bluetooth. After the test, the doctor will interpret the results and they will be made available to you. WatchPat One measures 8 different channels of data: Peripheral Arterial Tone (PAT): Measures changes in blood volume in finger arteries, providing insights into variations in sleep stages. Heart Rate: Monitors heart rate throughout the night, detecting any fluctuations that may indicate sleep disturbances or disorders. Oxygen Saturation (SpO2): Measures the level of oxygen in the blood, helping identify conditions like sleep apnea. Body Position: Detects your body position during sleep, which is relevant for conditions such as positional sleep apnea. Actigraphy (Movement): Tracks movements during the night, offering insights into sleep patterns and potential disruptions. Snoring: Records snoring sounds, an important indicator for diagnosing sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea. Chest Motion: Monitors the movement of the chest, assessing the effort put into breathing during sleep and helping identify irregular breathing patterns. Sleep Staging Estimate: Utilizes a proprietary algorithm to estimate sleep staging, including light sleep, deep sleep, and REM sleep based on the collected data. Collectively, these measurements provide a comprehensive picture of sleep-related physiological activities, aiding in the diagnosis and assessment of sleep disorders.
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What are the Pros/Cons of the wireless home sleep test?Pros: --Very comfortable/easy to sleep with. --PAT technology is reliable and accurate. --Multiple nights give a broader picture of your sleep. --Disposable, nothing to mail back. Cons: --Does not measure as many parameters as the wired test and so is not going to be as accurate as the wired test. --PAT technology to diagnose sleep apnea is still pretty new and is not as widely accepted by insurance companies as the wired home sleep test. Therefore if you are using insurance to purchase a CPAP based on this sleep study you may run into issues (this is a very rare occurrence and varies based upon the CPAP supplier but you should be aware that it occasionally becomes an issue).
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Do I really need a virtual visit with the doctor? Why can't I just do the test?Home sleep testing devices are FDA-approved for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea and are available by prescription only. As such they require an order from an authorized healthcare provider after an evaluation.
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How does the wired home sleep test work?The Alice NightOne is a portable, non-disposable home sleep testing device. Alice NightOne measures several physiological parameters related to sleep, including: Respiratory Effort: Monitoring the effort expended during breathing, assessing for signs of sleep apnea or other respiratory disorders. Nasal and Oral Airflow: Measuring the flow of air through the nasal and oral passages to detect abnormalities in breathing. Snoring: Recording sounds related to snoring, which can be indicative of certain sleep disorders. Heart Rate and Oxygen Saturation: Monitoring heart rate and blood oxygen levels to identify variations and potential issues during sleep. Body Position: Detecting changes in body position, which is relevant for conditions like positional sleep apnea. Movement/Actigraphy: Tracking body movements during sleep to analyze sleep patterns.
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What are the Pros/Cons of the wired home sleep test?Pros: --One night of testing. --3 sensors with continuous measurement of 7 different parameters. --Accurate detection of apneas by directly measuring airflow. --The most accurate type of home sleep test and superior to PAT-type sleep testing. --Does not require a smartphone. --Results are nearly universally accepted by insurance. (Some insurance companies may not accept a PAT-type test as valid). Cons: --The test is larger and bulkier that the disposable tests so it may not be as comfortable as the wireless home sleep test. --Has to be mailed back. --As it is a rental you are responsible for the device if it is damaged/lost while it is in your possession.
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What is Sleep Apnea?Obstructive sleep apnea is a common and serious sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing during sleep. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by the airway becoming blocked repeatedly during sleep, sometimes hundreds of times per night. This can cause you to choke and gasp during sleep with loud snoring. Sleep Apnea also causes your oxygen to drop and is associated with several other medical conditions including high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms, stroke, diabetes, and depression. Just as important, sleep apnea can cause you to feel tired during the day, especially when you are sitting idle, such as at a computer or driving. This can put you at risk of accidents while driving, and is one of the most important reasons that people with sleep apnea should get treatment.
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How does the home sleep test work?The home sleep test provides a convenient home-based alternative to the traditional sleep test that takes place in a sleep lab. The device has sensors that monitor your breathing, oxygen level, and heart to determine if you have sleep apnea and determine the severity.
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Who can get the home sleep test, how do I qualify?Most people will qualify for the home sleep test. However, there are certain situations in which the test can not provide a valid result, the most common is when people use supplemental oxygen during sleep.
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Can I get a refund if I change my mind or if I do not qualify for the test?After you purchase your test and set up a virtual consultation appointment, we will send you a pre-appointment questionnaire to determine if the home sleep test would be appropriate for you. If you do not qualify for the test at that time, or if you simply change your mind, the home sleep test will be canceled and you will be issued a full refund. Once the consultation appointment has been performed and you do not qualify for the test (or you decide to cancel) you will be issued a refund minus a consultation fee. Please see the Terms and Conditions at checkout for further details.
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How do I use the home sleep test?Before performing the wired home sleep test we ask that you read the included instructions and watch the instructional video available on our site. For the wireless test, you will download an app that will guide you through the setup process. If you have problems or questions with either test you can call our number and we will do our best to resolve the issue.
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How is sleep apnea treated?There are several treatments available for sleep apnea. The most common is the CPAP device which we can prescribe for you if it is needed. Other options include dental devices which can be placed by a qualified dentist, positional therapy, palatal surgery, and an implanted nerve stimulator. The appropriate treatment will be indicated in your report after the doctor reviews your sleep study. If the doctor recommends a CPAP device, this prescription will be sent to a local medical equipment company. We can also provide the prescription to you directly if you would like to purchase your own device.
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What if I need follow up?A follow up appointment may be required by your insurance, or in some cases recommended by the doctor. You can make an appointment at any time by using our online appointment scheduler (link). The cost for routine follow up appointments for cash paying patients (not using insurance) can be seen on our order page.
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In what states do you see patients?Sleep Doc Direct is currently licensed to provide medical services in North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Nebraska.
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Do you accept insurance?Yes! We accept several insurances, including Medicare. If you would like to use insurance for your visit, we recommend checking whether Sleep Doc Direct is in your insurance network and whether it covers telehealth and home sleep testing. If not, we have very affordable options which in many cases may be less than your deductible. We can't tell you how many times patients use their insurance and are surprised that the out-of-pocket costs are actually higher than our direct price.
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Which insurances do you accept?Below is a partial list of insurances we accept: Aetna including Medicare Advantage. Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield, including Medicare Advantage. Cigna including Medicare Advantage. Medcost Medicare UMR United Health Care Including Medicare Advantage, and AARP plans. Tricare Once you make a new patient appointment with us our staff will verify your insurance to ensure that we are in your network and that telehealth and home sleep testing are covered benefits. You will be notified if you are out of network. You will of course have the option to cancel your appointment free of charge. Please note that the above list is a general guide. For the most up-to-date information please contact your insurer to see if Sleep Doc Direct PLLC is "in-network" with your plan and whether home sleep testing and telehealth are covered benefits.
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Will insurance cover my test?If you are using insurance we will collect that information before your appointment and check with your insurance to see if home sleep testing is covered under your plan. While this may tell us if home sleep testing is a covered service for you, it does not guarantee that your home sleep test will be covered.
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What will my out of pocket cost be for your service?If you would like to know your cost beforehand, please let us know and we would be happy to provide you with a "good faith estimate" of your costs based on your deductible, co-insurance, etc. We are happy to provide this information to patients who have booked an appointment and have provided all necessary information for their appointment (your insurance information and a signed consent that allows us to access your insurance benefit information.) Please allow at least 2 business days to provide you with this estimate. Disclaimer: The estimate is based on what services are expected to be provided, that the insurance will cover the costs of those services as expected, and the accuracy of the information provided by the insurer. Your actual costs can vary significantly from the estimate based on these variables.
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If my insurance does not cover your service, can I just pay the cash price?We are bound by the contracts with the insurance companies to charge you the agreed-upon price which is usually significantly higher than our cash price. They actually don't allow us by contract to give you a lower price. . . isn't that weird? However, we're here to make sleep testing more affordable and accessible, so we will gladly work with you if that price is unaffordable for you.
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