Why doesn't dental insurance cover sleep apnea?
Insurers treat sleep apnea as a medical rather than a dental condition because it directly affects physical health and is associated with severe problems like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Sleep Better Solution works with insurers to treat sleep apnea in Lodi, NJ. Please call our office at
to learn more about your financing options.What Are My Financial Options?
You may feel concerned about the cost of sleep apnea treatment and that dental insurance does not cover it.
Fortunately, financing for sleep apnea treatment does not go through dental insurance but rather medical insurance. Cooperation between our doctor and your primary care physician makes this possible.
Oral appliance therapy falls under durable medical equipment if your doctor deems the sleep apnea device medically necessary.
Medicare Part B and many private insurers cover a significant portion of durable medical equipment. You may need a medical sleep study for Medicare to cover oral appliance therapy.
Occupational Concerns
People in certain occupations involving operating heavy machinery are especially vulnerable to the effects of sleep apnea. Airline pilots and truck drivers are two such lines of work.
Commercial Truck Drivers
Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations do not specifically address sleep apnea, they require that truck drivers with a medical history or diagnosis of any condition that could interfere with safe driving receive successful treatment before resuming work. The medical qualifying examiner must determine that the driver can operate safely.
Airline Pilots
The Federal Aviation Administration has more stringent rules for pilots with obstructive sleep apnea. All pilots must receive screening for BMI (body mass index) and conditions associated with obstructive sleep apnea. If the BMI is over 35, the patient is considered at an elevated risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Other risk factors like atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension may also trigger this requirement. Pilots must also undergo a laboratory sleep study to satisfy the FAA requirements.
Why Choose Sleep Better Solution
Dr. Steven Liao, one of New Jersey Monthly's Top Dentists and a member of the International Academy of Sleep, heads our practice. Dr. Liao has treated many patients with sleep apnea and wants to help them regain their quality of life. Our entire team works together to provide patients with quality, compassionate care at all times.
Forms of Financial Options We Provide
Medical Insurance
Dr. Steven Liao, one of New Jersey Monthly's Top Dentists and a member of the International Academy of Sleep, heads our practice. Dr. Liao has treated many patients with sleep apnea and wants to help them regain their quality of life. Our entire team works together to provide patients with quality, compassionate care at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Apnea and Financial Options
What are some of the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea?
- Choking and gasping at night
- Loud snoring
- Dry mouth
- Feeling exhausted in the morning
- Daytime fatigue
- Attention issues
- Mood changes and irritability
What are the risk factors for obstructive sleep apnea?
Researchers closely associate obstructive sleep apnea with the following health conditions:
- Excess body weight
- Higher neck circumference
- Excess tissue in the neck or throat
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Large tonsils or tongue
- Small airway or palate
What makes obstructive sleep apnea particularly dangerous for pilots and commercial truck drivers?
Any condition that causes fatigue, sleepiness, difficulty making decisions, poor reaction time, and irritability can affect your work. If you operate heavy machinery in your job, obstructive sleep apnea can be a hazard not only for yourself but also for the public.
How does oral appliance therapy work?
Our practice uses the ProSomnus EVO oral appliance. This appliance fits like a dental mouthguard and keeps the jaw slightly forward during sleep. Most patients easily adjust to wearing the device and can achieve comfortable, quiet sleep.
What makes an oral appliance better than CPAP?
CPAP machines are noisy, bulky, and require electricity. The masks are uncomfortable and require sleeping on your back. With an oral appliance like the ProSomnus EVO, you can rest comfortably in any position without a mask or base station.
What is a sleep study?
It involves using diagnostic equipment to track your vital signs while sleeping in a lab setting. Our practice offers the SleepImage device, which can detect signs of sleep apnea without a night spent in a laboratory.
Call Sleep Better Solution
If you believe you have obstructive sleep apnea, please call our Lodi, NJ, office at
to schedule a consultation. Our business office team is highly experienced with insurance and can help you maximize your coverage.