Sleep apnea is a group of sleep disorders that cause frequent pauses in breathing during your sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which occurs as a result of throat muscle constriction.

Central sleep apnea occurs from a brain signal issue that prevents proper breathing. Complex sleep apnea syndrome is less common, and it means that you have a combination of obstructive and central sleep apnea.

These sleeping disorders are potentially life threatening if left untreated.

The only way to diagnose as sleep condition is with a sleep study.

If you have a sleep apnea diagnosis, your doctor may recommend breathing machines or oral appliance therapy to help you get the crucial oxygen that you may be missing at night.

 

The Different Types of Sleep Studies Available to You

 

Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HST)
CPT Code: 95806, G0399 or G0398 (based on insurance and type of testing device used)

HST is a type of diagnostic polysomnography which is self-administered by the patient in his/her home,  making it a convenient option for many adult patients whose schedules prevent them from taking an overnight in-center sleep test, or are homebound due to illness.

It is used to diagnose or rule out sleep apnea by recording breathing effort, heart rate, oxygen saturation, nasal flow and snoring. HST is a cost-effective alternative to in-center sleep testing for many patients if it is highly likely that the patient has moderate to severe sleep apnea, and if the patient has no other significant medical issues such as pulmonary diseases, neuromuscular disease or congestive heart failure.

HST cannot be performed on children and cannot diagnose other sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder or narcolepsy. These patients should be tested in a sleep center.

Most common reason for performing this test: Suspected sleep disorder, rule out suspected sleep disorder. HST can only diagnose sleep apnea (cannot diagnose other sleep disorders) and may require follow-up in-lab study. HST does not monitor EEG (brain activity).

In-center Polysomnography (PSG)
CPT Code: 95810 or 95782 (children under 6 years)

An in-center polysomnography (PSG) test takes place at one of our many convenient sleep center locations. These sleep centers offer all the comforts and amenities of home, including a private, comfortable room where you can relax and have a typical night’s sleep.

PSG records your brain waves, heart rate and breathing as you sleep. It also charts your eye movements, limb movements and oxygen in your blood. PSG can diagnose or rule out sleep disorders such as obstructive and central sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome (RLS) and more in adults and children.

In children, PSG may be used to diagnose or rule out suspected sleep apnea due to enlarged tonsils or adenoids; an obese child may have OSA due to excess fat around the airway.

CPAP Titration
CPT Code: 95811 or 95873 (children under 6 years)

A titration is a test that is used to determine your optimal positive airways pressure (PAP) settings. Proper PAP settings can eliminate most or all apnea events. It is performed when a patient has been previously diagnosed with sleep apnea through one of our sleep studies (either in-center or in-home) and have been placed on PAP the entire night.

This simple overnight test begins by choosing the right CPAP mask to suit your needs. Once selected, your mask will be connected to a CPAP machine that blows air through a tube, into your mask, and eventually into the back of your throat. Throughout your evening, your sleep technologist will change the pressure of the air coming in through your mask until the optimal PAP settings are determined. At that time, you should no longer experience periods of wakefulness throughout the night. It is recommended that you have a titration performed after changes in health, such as major weight loss or gain.

Home Sleep Apnea Testing is the Most Convenient Way to Diagnose Sleep Apnea 

If you think you’re living with undiagnosed sleep apnea, a home sleep test is the easiest, most convenient way to find the answers you’re looking for.

The Benefits of Home Sleep Testing

  • It’s Convenient: With a home sleeping test, you can relax in your own bed. There’s no sleeping away from your home, or any change to your schedule. You simply put the device on when you go to sleep and it goes to work.
  • It’s Affordable: We’re contracted with hundreds of insurance providers, including government payers such as Medicare and TriWest, as well as most HMOs located in Southern California. With your home sleeping test covered by insurance, you can confidently focus on your treatment.
  • It’s Easy: A home sleeping test for sleep apnea is easy to administer. Once you receive your testing device, it is simple to setup. Most importantly, it delivers results quickly so you can get an accurate diagnoses and begin treatment.

How a Home Sleeping Test Works

When you request a home sleep test, our sleep specialists will provide you with a portable home sleeping test device. This device is typically about the size of your smartphone and is strapped to your body before going to sleep. When it’s being worn, the sensors on your home sleep testing device will measure:

  • Nasal airflow
  • Snoring
  • Body position
  • Respiratory effort
  • And blood oxygen levels.

A home sleeping test is non-invasive, meaning it won’t prevent you from having a typical night’s sleep while collecting important data on your breathing and oxygen levels. Once completed, you simply return your device to our sleep specialists where the data collected is used to help diagnose your sleep condition.

An In-Center Sleep Test Will Accurately, Comfortably Diagnose Your Sleep Disorder 

Everyone deserves a restful night sleep. If an undiagnosed sleep disorder is preventing you from getting the sleep you deserve, an in-center sleep test will help determine what’s wrong and how we can help.

The Benefits of an In-Center Sleep Test

  • It’s Comfortable: Our sleep centers have a lot in common with your favorite hotel. When you arrive for your in-center sleep test, you’re provided with a private, comfortable room in which to relax. Before the study begins, you can watch TV or read, and when it’s time, get the best sleep possible
  • It’s Convenient: Our in-center sleep tests are performed 7 nights a week at each of our sleep centers across California. No matter where you are, we have a location near your home or workplace
  • It’s Comprehensive: Our highly-trained sleep technologists use state-of-the-art recording equipment to diagnose sleep disorders in adults and children
  • It’s Covered by Insurance: We are contracted with most medical groups and commercial health plans. With your insurance covering treatment, you can relax and focus on improving your sleep

How Will Your In-Center Sleep Test Work?

An in-center sleep test is a non-invasive process that takes place overnight in a private, comfortable room with all the amenities and comforts of home. During an in-center sleep test, a sleep technician oversees you throughout the night, and will carefully monitor your:

  • Brainwaves
  • Oxygen saturation
  • Leg movements
  • Other critical benchmarks for diagnosing a variety of sleep disorders

The entire process is quick, convenient, and allows our specialists to collect a wealth of necessary data. Once you wake up, your sleep test is complete. The data we collect will be compiled and thoroughly interpreted in order to provide your physician with an accurate diagnosis.

There are three main types of machines used in the treatment of sleep apnea: APAP, CPAP, and BiPAP. These machines are hooked up to a mask you wear over your nose and mouth. They deliver pressure to help your muscles relax so you’re able to breathe. This is called positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.