Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects at least 50 million people in the USA, yet 80% remain undiagnosed for a variety of reasons. That is where telehealth comes in. It can bridge the gap between people who would like to seek care but are unsure where to start, or who don’t have access to a sleep clinic nearby. Telemedicine also can offer innovative solutions to traditional sleep medicine care, all from the comfort of your home.
How Do I Know If I Might Have Sleep Apnea?
The reason why so many people remain undiagnosed with sleep apnea is because they might not recognize the symptoms! While snoring can be a frequent symptom of sleep apnea, other common symptoms can be more subtle, for example
- Morning headaches
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Mood disturbances
- Difficulty focusing
Take our two-minute sleep apnea quiz to understand your risk ->
Can I Be Diagnosed With Sleep Apnea Through Telehealth?
Absolutely! The amazing news? Telehealth is improving access to high-quality sleep apnea care. You can be diagnosed faster and with fewer out-of-pocket expenses. Traditional in-person sleep medicine treatment also can involve long wait times to get an appointment, overnight visits in a sleep lab, not to mention the time and stress of commuting to the appointments. With telehealth sleep apnea care, you can be seen, tested, and get a treatment plan without the hassle. After all, if you are struggling with sleep apnea, you want to get answers as soon as possible.
What Should I Expect During a Telehealth Sleep Apnea Appointment?
For your first visit with an Ognomy Sleep clinician, you will need to set aside 30-40 minutes for the consultation free from distractions. During this time you will be able to review your symptoms, past medical history, as well as any concerns you are having with your specialist. Some questions your sleep clinician might ask you include:
- How often are you waking up in the night?
- Do you snore while you sleep?
- What is your nightly routine like? Watching T.V. before bed, a glass of wine with dinner, etc.
- What is your current lifestyle like? Exercise, smoking, caffeine intake, etc.
- Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the day?
Rest assured, you are able to ask any questions you need during this appointment on our confidential, secure platform. Your health and privacy are important to us and we take extra steps to make sure you feel comfortable every step of the process.
How Does an At-Home Sleep Apnea Test Work?
After your appointment with your sleep clinician, they may request that you complete a FDA-cleared home sleep test. An at-home sleep apnea test (HST) measures your oxygen levels, breathing, and sleep patterns while you sleep in your own bed.
“The at-home sleep test is so simple and accessible and the doctors and support teams are knowledgeable and helpful” -Kaitlyn H., Ognomy Sleep patient
Once you complete the test, you will have a follow up appointment with your sleep clinician to review the results and discuss a treatment plan.
What Happens After My Diagnosis?
If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, you and your sleep clinician will come up with a treatment plan that best fits your medical and personal needs. At Ognomy Sleep, we offer many different treatment options including:
- CPAP therapy
- Oral appliance therapy
- Referral for Inspire therapy
- Zepbound for sleep apnea
- OgnomyFit, our lifestyle modification program
- Referral for sleep apnea surgery
It’s important to know that treatment for sleep apnea isn’t a linear process, so it can take some time to get relief. And, given that sleep apnea is a complex disorder with many contributing factors, your clinician may recommend utilizing multiple treatments together - for example, CPAP plus Zepbound. You will work closely with your sleep clinician to tailor your treatment plan to ensure you are seeing success and feeling more rested when you wake up.
You can start to feel better in just a few weeks with Ognomy Sleep! Take control of your sleep health from the comfort of your home. Schedule a telehealth appointment with us today!
FAQ
How much does telehealth sleep apnea care cost?
On average, Ognomy Sleep patients pay 40% less out of pocket compared to traditional sleep apnea treatments.* We are available in all 50 states and D.C. and are in-network with over 200 million patients across the country.
Do I need a referral for a telehealth sleep apnea appointment?
No referral is required with Ognomy Sleep and you can be seen in just days. We accept most major insurances that cover in full or a portion of your consultations, HST, and treatment plans.
*Based on Ognomy Sleep cost data when compared to out of pocket costs for traditional treatments that include an overnight sleep study
