FAQs

Q: What do I need for my online appointment?

A: For patients wishing to be evaluated for a sleep disorder, you can fill up the sleep questionnaire on line before the appointment. Knowing your medical history and medications you are currently taking will be helpful. We will ask you about your height, weight and neck circumference.

For patients already with a PAP device.  Kindly know the brand of the CPAP equipment, including all accessories you are currently using.  It will also be helpful to know the date you acquired your supplies.

Q: What is a sleep study?

A: The sleep study is an overnight recording of your sleep, breathing, heart rate, leg movements, and snoring for the diagnosis and overall evaluation of sleep disorders. Sleep studies can be performed either at home or in the hospital. In a sleep study, several things are monitored, they include brain wave activity (EEG), muscle tone (EMG), heart rate (ECG), breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and leg movements and there is a range of other things like abnormal movements and behaviors during sleep that can be added additionally depending upon the clinical problem and complaints.

Q: What is the purpose of a sleep study?

A: The purpose of a sleep study is to get a thorough understanding of your sleep patterns and to identify disorders that interfere with your sleep and daily life.

Q: Why do I need a sleep study?

A: A sleep study helps evaluate your symptoms of snoring, tiredness, sleepiness, irregular and disturbed sleep and complaints of waking up unrefreshed.  A sleep study will be able to assess if you have a breathing or movement disorder while you sleep.

Q: What sleep disorders can be diagnosed?

A: Home-based sleep monitoring can diagnose snoring, obstructive and central sleep apnea, nocturnal hypoxemia and insomnia. The sleep study can also give valuable information to assist in the diagnosis of delayed sleep phase syndrome and narcolepsy.

Q: Do I have to be hospitalized or be in a sleep laboratory for a sleep study?

A: No, a sleep study can be done at home.  There are newer home-based monitoring options that are just as accurate and reliable as an overnight sleep study in a sleep laboratory.  In some cases, a home sleep study is better as the patient sleeps at home in their natural environment where sleep is more physiological and would provide a more accurate result.

Q: What is a Home sleep study?

A: A Home Sleep Study is a test that allows the sleep doctor to analyze how you sleep at night in the comfort of your own home without having to stay overnight at a sleep laboratory. The home sleep study records the biological changes that your body goes through during the rest phase which helps the sleep doctor in diagnosing and treating the sleep disorder.

You will need a Smartphone with internet access and install the WatchPAT app.

After placing an order for a home sleep study, the testing equipment will be delivered to your home with written instructions (a video on our website will also give all the needed instructions). It is extremely simple and easy to set up. The device is worn overnight and all you have to do is go to sleep. Please click on the link to watch a video on Home Sleep Study with WatchPAT device. https://youtu.be/BCce_vbiwxE

Q: How accurate is the Home Sleep study test?

A: The current WatchPAT device is effective and up to 93% accurate and reliable compared to the overnight full Polysomnogram.

Q: How do I prepare for a Home Sleep Study?

A: Before using the home sleep study device, you have your meal and take your regular medication unless advised otherwise by your sleep doctor. We recommend you do not apply any oils or moisturizers, remove nail polish and also take a shower to ensure that the contact between your skin and the sensors is good.

Q: What happens after the home sleep study?

A: Once a sleep study has been performed, the data will be uploaded from the device.  The recording will be analyzed and interpreted by the sleep physician. The results will be made available to you after the study has been evaluated by the sleep physician.

Q: Can everyone be tested with a home sleep study?

A: A home sleep study is not suitable for individuals with congestive heart failure, lung disease, neuromuscular problems or multiple suspected sleep disorders. If you have health condition that falls within this group, a consultation with our sleep physician is advised.

Q: How much do the Home Sleep Study cost?

A: The cost of a Home Sleep Study is $295 which includes shipping and interpretation by a board certified sleep physician.

Q: Does Medicare/Medicaid cover the cost of an online sleep consultation?

A: In order to offer you the very best value, we do not deal with Medicare/ Medicaid or healthcare insurance companies directly. This allows us to save on overhead and administrative expenses that have nothing to do with your health and pass along the savings to you.

Q: Will my insurance pay for an online sleep consultation?

A: We are considered an “out-of-network” provider to commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United. We will be happy to provide you with a detailed bill for purchased medical products and services that you may submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

Q: Do I need to have a consultation with the doctor before having a home sleep study done?

A: Sleep Central can prescribe the sleep test after you answer the online screening tool (STOP-BANG).

Q: Is there any risk in using the Home Sleep Study device?

A: No

Q: Do I need to return the home sleep study device after using it?

A: No

Q: Can home sleep study work for children?

A: An in lab sleep study is ideal for children.  Sleep Central does not treat pediatric sleep disorders.

Q: Is it safe to use a home sleep study device if I am pregnant or nursing?

A: Yes

Q: Will my insurance pay for a home sleep study?

A: We are considered an “out-of-network” provider to commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United. We will be happy to provide you with a detailed bill for purchased medical products and services that you may submit to your insurer for reimbursement.

Q: How long does it take to get the results of a Home Sleep Study?

A: Once the data from the Watch PAT is transmitted at the conclusion of your study, the results of the sleep study will be available within 3 working days.

Q: What is CPAP?

A: CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure, this machine uses Air pressure to maintain an open airway during sleep, it is considered as the gold standard in treatment for Sleep Disordered Breathing or Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Q: How do I know that the CPAP equipment will fit me?

A: There is no perfect fit.  A CPAP maker ResMed has a program called ResMed MaskSelector which creates personalized ResMed mask recommendations based on a patient’s sleep attributes and facial measurements. Sleep Central can provide a HIPAA-compliant single-use link via text or email to a patient, who then answers a brief questionnaire and enters three facial measurements into the ResMed MaskSelector portal. Based on the patient’s responses, the tool will recommend one of the company’s masks, along with options for alternate ResMed mask models and sizes.

Q: How long should I use CPAP continuously?

A: CPAP is recommended to be used as long as the patient with sleep apnea is asleep.

Q: Is there duration for treatment with CPAP?

A: As long as one has sleep apnea, CPAP should be used.  If a patient loses 20% of his weight from the time of initial diagnosis, a repeat sleep study to determine if one still has sleep apnea is recommended.

Q: What other options are there if I do not want to use CPAP?

A: If you have mild obstructive sleep apnea, use of a mandibular advancement device or surgery may be treatment options.