Home Sleep Tests
Some sleep disorders can be diagnosed during a routine exam and a conversation with a certified sleep specialist such as Dr. Baten; but if you or your doctor thinks that you may have sleep apnea, an overnight sleep study is the best way to confirm it. Home sleep tests do not record all of the vital signs that a complete in-lab sleep study would; but, home tests are effective in diagnosing some sleep disorders.
Home tests aren’t for everyone. It’s important to have a full exam with a certified sleep specialist to determine whether you are a candidate for a home sleep test. For a specific group of people, The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has endorsed the use of portable monitoring. Many insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid cover home tests for eligible patients.
The AASM approves the use of home tests only if you meet the following criteria; and, if you do not, you will need to go to a sleep center for an overnight study.
- You are between 18 and 65 years of age
- You have a high risk of moderate-to-severe sleep apnea
- You have no other major medical problems
- You have no other sleep disorders
You may be eligible for a home sleep test if health or safety concerns prevent you from leaving home for a night.
Your response to some sleep apnea treatments, including oral appliances, surgery, and weight loss may also be evaluated with a home sleep test.
