1. Will my insurance cover my physician visits, sleep studies and any treatments needed to cover my sleep disorder.
SleepMed of SC has provider status with virtually every insurance company that is typical for the Midlands, including Medicare and Medicaid. We have worked with over 10,000 patients since we began and in the overwhelming majority of cases, their insurance covered their sleep disorder care, with only deductibles, co-pays and remaining allowable balances being the responsibility of the patient. You may want to call your insurance company to determine your level of benefits before making an appointment.
2. Can I call one of your sleep specialists and make an appointment or do I need to be referred by my primary care physician?
That really depends on your insurance company. Call your insurance company and ask if a referral is required by your primary care physician for you to have a consultation with a sleep specialist. If they require a referral, call your primary care physician and ask if they can make the referral for you. By doing this, your insurance should cover the majority of your costs associated with physician office visits, sleep studies and sleep treatments.
3. How long is your average wait for an appointment?
If you are willing to first see a nurse practitioner, we can usually schedule a consultation for you in one to two weeks. Our nurse practitioners have received specific training in sleep medicine, are supervised by our boarded sleep physicians, and provide a high level of service. The nurse practitioner will take your history, perform a physical and order a sleep study, if indicated. When you return for your results after your sleep study, the physician will provide you with the results and recommend a treatment therapy. If your situation requires that you be seen before and after your sleep study by one of our physicians, we should be able to schedule your initial appointment in three to four weeks.
4. From my initial consultation with one of your clinicians, how soon will my overnight sleep study be scheduled?
We certainly want to arrange a date, time and place that works best for you. You’ll have three locations to choose from: downtown Columbia, West Columbia and Irmo. In most months, these sleep centers operate seven nights a week. If you would like to be studied quickly and you are flexible on the date, time and place, we can usually schedule you in one to two weeks – or sooner if a cancellation occurs. However, even to accommodate a specific date and location, we usually will be able to schedule your study in three to four weeks.
5. What do I need to do before my sleep study and what do I need to bring with me for my sleep study?
Take a shower and shampoo your hair before you come to the sleep lab. Do not use any sprays or gels in your hair. As electrodes are placed on your scalp, hair pieces, wigs and weaves will need to be removed prior to a sleep study. As an oximeter is placed on your fingertip, artificial nails will prevent an accurate reading. When packing an overnight case to bring to the sleep center, pack your insurance card, sleepwear, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, comb, dryer, and any other toiletries that you might need before bedtime or the following morning. If you sleep better with your favorite pillow or blanket, don’t hesitate to bring those, too. While a TV will be available in your private sleep room, don’t hesitate to bring your favorite bedtime reading, if that is your preference.
6. If I normally take medications prior to bedtime, should I take them before my sleep study?
During your office visit with the physician or nurse practitioner, ask that question. They will be able to advise you based upon your specific medications. In most cases, it would be appropriate to take your medications prior to bedtime?
7. Will I experience any pain or discomfort during my sleep study?
This a pain-free procedure with little to no discomfort. You will be wired from head to calves with leads and electrodes that assist us in monitoring your vital sleep signs. That can make sleep seem impossible; however, most of our patients fall asleep within five to ten minutes of “lights out.”
8. Will I be able to go to work following my sleep study?
As we use a cream adhesive to attach leads and electrodes, you will need to take a shower before dressing and going to work. We have showers located in our sleep centers, so that should be no problem. We usually wake our patients up around 6:00am and most are departing between 7:00am and 7:30am.
You are able to go directly to work from the sleep center, if that is your preference.
9. How long will it take before I return to your office for my results?
It will usually take about two weeks following your sleep study for your follow-up appointment. During this two week period, our senior technologists are analyzing your sleep data and then passing it to one of our sleep physicians for their interpretation. By the time you return, our clinician will be in a position to discuss your diagnosis and begin you on a treatment program?
10. How soon will I be able to see a difference in how I feel and how I sleep?
In most cases, immediately following treatment. If the therapy has not produced noticeable results after the first week, please let us know, so that we can adjust your therapy.
11. How often will you need to see me after my therapy begins?
It differs depending on the diagnosis and needs of each patient. Typically, we like to see you again within 4-6 weeks of therapy initiation and then every six months for the first year and annually thereafter. If a medication is prescribed, you will need to be re-examined prior to prescription renewals to assure dosage measures are still correct.
12. If I have questions in between visits, what do I need to do?
You may call our office at (803) 251-3093. Or you can send us an email at 6-B@sleepmed.md. Or you may send us a fax at (803) 376-1876. Usually, one of our care coordinators or nurses can assist you. If not, they will arrange for the doctor or appropriate person to call you.
