Gina Johnson
Sleep studies are often used to help diagnose sleep disorders. Sleep studies are non-invasive and painless, and they can be performed overnight or during the day. To schedule a sleep study, you will usually need a referral from a physician. In some cases, you may also need authorisation from your health insurance company. However, it is possible to get a referral from a nurse practitioner or a nurse practitioner can write a prescription for a sleep study.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is a referral needed? | Yes |
| Who can refer? | A physician or nurse practitioner |
| Can a sleep study be ordered without seeing a sleep physician? | Yes |
| Who can order a sleep study? | A GP or NP |
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What You'll Learn
A referral is needed for a sleep study
In some cases, a sleep study centre will require a referral from a physician, as well as an authorisation from your health insurance company. Sleep lab staff can sometimes get approval from your insurance company on your behalf.
If you are unsure whether you need a sleep study, you can refer yourself to a sleep expert who can advise you.
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A sleep study can be ordered by a GP
Yes, a sleep study can be ordered by a GP. However, you will need a referral from a physician to schedule a sleep study, and in some cases, you will also need authorisation from your health insurance company.
If you are a patient, you can ask your doctor to refer you to a sleep study. They will then perform an extensive review of your medical history, with a special focus on sleep. An exam will also be performed to uncover any common causes of sleep disruption.
If you are a doctor, you can place a referral via LifeChart. Sleep lab staff can also get approval from your patient's insurance company on their behalf.
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A sleep study can be performed in a lab or at home
An in-lab sleep study involves placing sensors on the head, face, chest and limbs to record breathing, muscle and eye movements, brain wave changes, oxygen levels, blood pressure and electrical activity of the heart. These tests enable doctors to diagnose a range of sleep disorders and sometimes even provide treatment. However, insurance companies often deny in-lab studies if there is insufficient documentation of need and recommend a home study instead.
At-home sleep studies are less expensive than in-lab studies and are often covered by insurance. They are typically used to assess obstructive sleep apnea, a common sleep disorder characterised by interrupted breathing during sleep. However, home studies do not capture the same amount of data as an in-lab test and are not as accurate. They also do not measure whether you are awake or asleep, which can lead to inaccurate results if the patient remains awake all night.
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A sleep study is a non-invasive, painless evaluation of your sleep
If you are a patient, you may need to bring a caregiver with you if assistance is required. Arrival times are flexible, but typically patients arrive between 8 pm and 9 pm and leave between 6:30 am and 7 am. During the study, electrodes attached with paste will monitor your brain waves, rapid eye movements, breathing patterns, respiratory efforts, oxygen levels, snoring, muscle tone, leg movements, electrocardiogram and heart rate.
If you are insured, your insurance company may require your medical history and documentation of the need for an in-lab study. In some cases, sleep lab staff can get approval from your insurance company on your behalf.
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A sleep study may be covered by insurance
To schedule a sleep study, you will need a referral from a physician and, in some cases, an authorization from your health insurance company. Sometimes, sleep lab staff can get approval from your insurance company on your behalf. A peer-to-peer request may be necessary to obtain an overnight sleep study. The sleep disorder centre would apply for the authorization only once they receive the referral forms and medical information needed for submission for all doctors, both internal and external.
If you do not have a referral, you can call your doctor and ask them to fax a referral form to the sleep study centre. Your doctor will perform an extensive review of your medical history with a special focus on sleep. An exam will be performed to uncover any common causes of sleep disruption.
It is important to note that insurance companies may deny an in-lab study if there is insufficient documentation of need and recommend a home study instead. Before booking a sleep study, a person should confirm that the centre they have chosen is covered by their insurance plan. As with most medical treatments, a person may be responsible for paying a deductible if they have not yet reached their limit. If the plan has a very high deductible, or if a person does not have insurance, they may want to ask for quotes from several sleep clinics.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a referral is needed to place an order for a sleep study test.
You can call your doctor and ask them to fax a referral to the sleep study centre.
The sleep study centre will apply for authorisation from your insurance company.
A sleep study is a non-invasive, painless evaluation of your sleep. Electrodes attached with paste monitor your brain waves, rapid eye movements, breathing patterns, respiratory efforts, oxygen levels, snoring, muscle tone, leg movements, electrocardiogram and heart rate.
