Home Sleep Testing

Oxygen desaturation measures how much your blood oxygen levels drop during sleep apnea events. Normal blood oxygen saturation is typically 95-100%.

• Mild desaturation: Oxygen levels drop to 90-94%
• Moderate desaturation: Oxygen levels drop to 85-89%
• Severe desaturation: Oxygen levels drop below 85%

Frequent or severe oxygen desaturations can have significant health implications and may indicate more severe sleep apnea.

Your home sleep test can help identify different types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): Caused by physical blockage of the airway. Respiratory effort continues during apneas.
• Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): Caused by the brain failing to signal the muscles to breathe. No respiratory effort during apneas.
• Mixed Sleep Apnea: A combination of both obstructive and central sleep apnea.

The type of sleep apnea you have will influence treatment recommendations.

Your test results will show if your sleep apnea is worse in certain sleeping positions. Many people experience more breathing events when sleeping on their back (supine position).

If your AHI is significantly higher in the supine position compared to other positions, you may have positional sleep apnea. This can sometimes be treated with positional therapy, which encourages side sleeping.

Home sleep tests are appropriate for adults with symptoms of sleep apnea who don't have other significant health conditions or sleep disorders. They're ideal for patients who:

• Have symptoms like snoring, daytime fatigue, or observed breathing pauses during sleep
• Are at high risk for sleep apnea (obesity, high blood pressure, etc.)
• Don't have conditions like congestive heart failure, COPD, neuromuscular disorders, or other sleep disorders
• Prefer testing in their own home environment

Our sleep physicians will review your medical history to determine if a home sleep test is right for you.

To ensure accurate results from your home sleep test, follow these preparation guidelines:

• Follow your normal sleep routine as much as possible
• Avoid napping on the day of the test
• Avoid caffeine after noon on the test day
• Avoid alcohol on the day of the test
• Avoid sedatives or sleep aids unless prescribed by your doctor
• Remove nail polish or artificial nails from the finger where the oxygen sensor will be placed
• Shower before the test, as you won't be able to shower while wearing the device

Detailed instructions will be included with your test kit, and our support team is available to answer any questions.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare and many private insurers, cover home sleep testing when medically necessary. Coverage depends on your specific plan, benefits, and whether you've met your deductible.

When you order a home sleep test through SleepEz, we'll verify your insurance benefits before proceeding and let you know about any potential out-of-pocket costs. If you don't have insurance or prefer not to use it, we offer an affordable self-pay price of $189, which includes the test, physician interpretation, and diagnosis.

If your home sleep test doesn't show evidence of sleep apnea but you continue to experience symptoms, our sleep physicians may recommend:

• A repeat home sleep test to confirm the results
• An in-lab sleep study (polysomnography) for more comprehensive evaluation
• Evaluation for other sleep disorders or health conditions that might explain your symptoms

Sleep apnea isn't the only condition that can cause sleep disruption and daytime fatigue. Our goal is to identify the true cause of your symptoms and provide appropriate treatment.