What is sleep apnea?
Are your sleep issues keeping you up at night? Don't rule out sleep apnea. It's a common condition in the United States, yet 80 percent of those who have it don't know they do.
Learn the facts about sleep apnea, how it is diagnosis and how much it may cost.
How does sleep apnea impact my health?
Affecting an estimated 30 million Americans, sleep apnea is a condition that causes you to stop and start breathing multiple times per night, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This happens when your upper airway becomes blocked or your brain doesn't send signals to keep breathing. In order to get enough oxygen, you wake up throughout the night, resulting in a poor night’s sleep.
But, sleep apnea does more than make you extra tired during the day. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it can lead to increased blood pressure, brain fog and changes in mood. It also puts pressure on your heart, putting you at greater risk for irregular heart rhythm, stroke and heart failure.
A common symptom of sleep apnea is loud or excessive snoring, but snoring by itself isn't a reason to call your doctor. If you or your partner notice any pauses in breathing, shortness of breath or sudden wake-ups accompanied by choking, it's time to get checked.
How is sleep apnea diagnosed?
If you are having symptoms of sleep apnea, talk to your primary care provider. During your visit, your physician may ask you questions to rule out other sleep disorders first.
To diagnose sleep apnea, your physician will likely recommend a sleep study. A sleep study is the only way to diagnose sleep apnea and can be done at home in most cases.
Sleep studies FAQ
What is a sleep study?
Sleep studies measure several different things, like your breathing rate, blood oxygen level and heart rate while you sleep and are used to diagnose sleep disorders, including sleep apnea.
How much does a sleep study cost?
A home-based sleep study costs a few hundred dollars, while a facility-based sleep study can cost thousands. How much you pay out-of-pocket for a sleep study depends on your health insurance benefits.
Find out the cost of a sleep study
If you're a Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield member, you can find out how much you'll pay for a sleep study when you log in to myWellmark® and get a cost estimate.
Should I do a sleep study at home or in a facility?
While sleep studies completed at home or in a facility setting both provide a complete evaluation of your sleep, studies done at home allow you to sleep comfortably in your own bed.
If a provider suspects a disorder other than sleep apnea or you have certain medical conditions that might alter the accuracy of an at-home sleep study, it may be considered medically necessary to conduct the sleep study in a facility.
Is prior approval required for a sleep study?
Your provider (or provider's office) will have to get prior approval from Wellmark for facility-based sleep studies, while prior approval is not required for home-based sleep studies.
You will find out during prior approval whether or not a facility-based sleep study is medically necessary.
If you're ready to get answers about your sleep, log in to myWellmark to check your benefits and see what your plan covers or how much a sleep study may cost.