If you are reading this article, there is a good chance that you are concerned that you may have obstructive sleep apnea, but aren’t sure how to go about getting tested for the sleep disorder. There is also a high probability that you aren’t looking to spend a pretty penny. If you have been exploring your options for different sleep studies, you may be experiencing something known as sticker shock – the symptoms of which include a dropped jaw and bewilderment. The truth is that sleep studies vary in cost according to a number of circumstances, so let’s explore some of your options.
A Polysomnography
So far, a polysomnography, or PSG, has been one of the more common sleep tests for people that suspect they have sleep apnea. You are usually required to spend the night at a specialized sleep clinic or laboratory, which are often housed in hospitals or private sleep centers. A PSG requires you to fall asleep while you are being monitored by various doctors and sleep lab technicians who measure things like loudness of snoring, breathing patterns, heart rate, eye movements, nasal airflow and more. You can expect to pay anywhere from $600 – on the extremely low end – to $900 at various sleep clinics. At some private sleep centers you can expect to pay up to $6,000 – not including doctor’s fees.
A Split-Night Study
This is a unique test that is also carried out at a sleep laboratory or clinic – either at a private center or hospital. It is called a split-night study because for half the night technicians and doctors will conduct a polysomnography – after that you will be woken up from your sleep and given a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, test that will monitor your airflow. These tests can be nice, because you will be given a specific pressure setting, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to close to $8,000. If you are trying to pinch a few pennies, these astounding costs can make it seem like getting tested for sleep apnea is nearly impossible.
A Home Sleep Test
If you haven’t surmised from the name, a home sleep test is conducted in the comfort of your own home – in your own bed; without doctors watching you sleep. Plus, it takes a lot less time to test yourself – meaning that you will get your results sooner. All you have to do is take the test and then send it back in – a sleep doctor will evaluate the results and then a consulting physician will weigh in and offer a prescription to CPAP if deemed necessary. The entire process takes about a week. Many people like this option versus going to a sleep laboratory because it is much more convenient and affordable – a home sleep test only costs $399.00. Not only is it affordable – it may offer more accurate results.
As you can see, the cost of a sleep study all depends on the type of sleep test and where you get tested. You could go for a polysomnography at a sleep laboratory or clinic and spend $6,000, you could go for a split-night study and spend $2,500 or you could test yourself at home for $399. When it comes down to it, getting tested is critical for the sake of starting your battle with obstructive sleep apnea. This is another reason why people like the home sleep test – you can get your results much sooner and the results are often much more accurate. Plus, why spend all night at a sleep lab when technology allows you the comfort of testing yourself at home?
Source: “How Much Does a Sleep Study Cost? Well, $600 or $5,070.” Clear Health Costs. April 12, 2013.
