INITIAL CONSULT & DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
The initial consult will take 20 – 30 minutes.
The sleep study is covered under MSP, and there is no charge for the consultation.
The minimum amount of recorded sleep time is 4 hours. The longer the device records while you remain asleep, the more accurate your sleep test result will be.
The results should be ready for review within 2 -5 business days after you have returned the diagnostic tool.
ARES had a 0.96 correlation with PSG when recorded concurrently and 0.88 for in-home ARES vs. PSG. ARES demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.4 and a specificity of 85.6 in 284 subjects with data acquired concurrently with PSG, and a sensitivity of 91.5 and a specificity of 85.7 in 187 subjects when comparing in-home recordings to PSG. 32 of 35 of the in-home misclassifications were attributed to differences in the percent time supine. Twenty-percent of the subjects included in this study were healthy controls. The failure rate for the in-home comparisons was only 2%. Thus extremely reliable.
Dealing with Extended Health Benefit (EHB) Companies
MSP does not cover CPAP equipment or related diagnostics or treatments.
The total cost of both items can range from $2200 – $2800.00 depending on the type of mask and unit that best suits the patient’s needs.
If so, how much overage will they cover? Most EHB will cover the CPAP equipment. The coverage normally ranges from 80 – 100% of the total cost. This can vary depending on each individual’s plan. It is recommended to check with your EHB for further details.
A prescription, a paid invoice, and your EHB’s claim form are required for reimbursement. Although most EHBs will only need these 3 items, it is recommended to check with your EHB for further details.
If you have set up a direct deposit online with your EHB, it will take approximately 5 business days for the reimbursement to be deposited into your account. If you are not set up via this method, it may take up to 2-3 weeks for the reimbursement cheque to appear in your mail.
Yes, we can accept up to a maximum of 4 monthly stalled payments. A credit card or post-dated cheques are needed for this method.
In order for us to provide you with all the necessary documents for reimbursement, pre-paying for the CPAP equipment is needed. However, we have options that will financially help our patients in obtaining their equipment without delaying their treatment. For details, please consult with your therapist.
All forms of payment method and all major credit cards are accepted.
Follow Up and Expectations
In the first month, the Respiratory Therapist (RT) will follow up with you on a near-weekly basis to troubleshoot any concerns related to the CPAP therapy. At the end of the first month, if necessary, an oximetry study will be performed. A final consult with the RT will commence at this time. In order to provide continuity of care, every 3 months for the first year, the RT will need to follow up with you and also forward a report to your family physician. These appointments will not take more than 10 – 15 minutes. After the first year, an annual follow up appointment will be put in place for checking machine functionality, and this will also serve as a reminder for mask and accessory replacements. Should you experience any concerns with your treatment at any time, you are always welcome to contact the clinic to book an appointment with your RT. We encourage our patients to call should they have any questions or concerns.
Your family physician will be updated with a full report at the end of the first month follow up.
In the event where all attempts were not successful in assisting you to adjust to CPAP therapy (this includes exchanging to different masks, reducing air pressure, coaching to get comfortable with falling asleep with the unit), we will be referring you to a team of specially trained Certified Sleep Dentists to make the Mandibular Advancement Device/Splint. We will require you to return the CPAP equipment and mask to us. There is no additional charge with the switch to this alternative therapy.
Getting Used to CPAP
Symptomatic improvements can vary- from as quickly as the next day to as gradual as up to a month. This also heavily depends how long it takes for the patient to become accustomed with sleeping with the CPAP mask and how many hours of rest is acquired each night with the CPAP device. The minimum recommended hours of sleep is 4 hours per night for proper assessment.
In the first month, the Respiratory Therapist (RT) will follow up with you on a near weekly basis to troubleshoot any concerns related to the CPAP therapy. At the end of the first month, if necessary, an oximetry study will be performed. A final consult with the RT will commence at this time. In order to provide continuity of care, every 3 months for the first year, the RT will need to follow up with you and also forward a report to your family physician. These appointments will not take more than 10 – 15 minutes. After the first year, an annual follow up appointment will be put in place for checking machine functionality, and this will also serve as a reminder for mask and accessory replacements. Should you experience any concerns with your treatment at any time, you are always welcome to contact the clinic to book an appointment with your RT. We encourage our patients to call should they have any questions or concerns.
Your family physician will be updated with a full report at the end of the first month follow up. An update will commence once every 3 months whenever you make your visit to see your therapist.
In the event where all attempts were not successful in assisting you to adjust to CPAP therapy (this includes exchanging to different masks, reducing air pressure, coaching to get comfortable with falling asleep with the unit), we will be referring you to a team of specially trained Certified Sleep Dentists to make the Mandibular Advancement Device/Splint. We will require you to return the CPAP equipment and mask to us. There is no additional charge with the switch to this alternative therapy.