There IS a way you can undergo a very reliable sleep apnea test if you don’t have insurance—for a price so low you won’t believe it.
You don’t have to break the bank to pay out of pocket for a sleep apnea test, says Joseph Krainin, MD, board certified in sleep medicine and neurology and founder of the online sleep apnea clinic Singular Sleep.
A sleep apnea test—in the comfort of your home rather than sleeping at some medical lab—is very affordable.
Snore? No Insurance? No Problem
Dr. Krainin first explains, “If you don’t have insurance, you may be at a severe economic disadvantage in the rates that you’d pay for a sleep study.
“The insurance companies ‘bargain down’ sleep centers for preferred rates on sleep studies.
“So for instance, if you have Aetna, the insurance company might have negotiated a rate where they pay $700 for the sleep study, but if you were uninsured and you were to walk into the sleep center, they might quote you a price of $7,000!
“Unfortunately, this is the case with many types of medical procedures, not just sleep studies.
“A home sleep apnea test is more cost-efficient than an in-lab study, so you’ll be able to get a better deal on these tests.”
Symptoms of Sleep Apnea Other than Snoring
• Easily falling asleep while watching TV or using the computer.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Waking with a headache that goes away very soon after getting out of bed (usually under 30 minutes).
• Repeated trips to urinate overnight, even when fluid consumption is limited in the hours preceding bedtime.
• High blood pressure that will not respond to diet, exercise, weight loss or medication.
• People telling you that while you’re asleep, you don’t appear peaceful and still, but instead are fitful or frequently stirring.
• Suddenly waking with a sensation of not having breathed for a while.
If any of these symptoms apply to you, don’t let a lack of insurance stop you from pursuing a sleep apnea test.
In 2013 Dr. Krainin was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, an honor reserved for sleep doctors who’ve made significant contributions to the field in education, research and service.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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