What Is Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a common but serious sleep disorder where your breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. This can lead to poor sleep quality and can have significant impacts on your overall health.
There Are Three Main Types of Sleep Apnea
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This is the most common form of Sleep Apnea. This occurs when throat muscles intermittently relax and block the airway during sleep.
Central Sleep Apnea (CSA): This occurs when your brain doesn't send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing.
Complex Sleep Apnea Syndrome: This is commonly known as treatment-emergent central sleep apnea, and it occurs when someone has both OSA and CSA.
What Are the Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
Some common symptoms of Sleep Apnea include:
Loud snoring
Episodes of breathing cessation during sleep
Abrupt awakenings accompanied by gasping or choking
Morning headache
Difficulty staying asleep (insomnia)
Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
Attention problems
Irritability
Can You Get Tested for Sleep Apnea?
You absolutely can! In fact, testing for Sleep Apnea is crucial as it can lead to better management of the condition and prevent complications such as cardiovascular problems, daytime fatigue, and complications with medications and surgery.
Sleep apnea is typically diagnosed through a sleep study, which can be conducted at a sleep centre or at home with a portable monitoring device.
Are Tests for Sleep Apnea HSA Eligible?
If you're considering such testing, you're in luck! The good news is that testing for sleep apnea is generally considered to be a qualified medical expense under HSA guidelines.
Most HSAs cover sleep studies if they are deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider. This includes tests such as polysomnography and home sleep apnea tests (HSAT).
Please be advised that it is always important to check your specific HSA plan's list of covered items. If you are unsure, hop into a chat with one of our live agents who can review your plan, and confirm the eligibility of such testing!
What Practitioners Typically Provide Sleep Apnea Testing?
Several healthcare practitioners can provide Sleep Apnea testing, including:
Primary Care Physicians: They can evaluate your symptoms and refer you to a specialist or sleep study centre.
Sleep Specialists: These are doctors who specialize in sleep disorders and can conduct and interpret sleep studies.
Pulmonologists: Doctors specializing in lung conditions who can diagnose and treat sleep apnea, particularly OSA.
Otolaryngologists (ENTs): Ear, nose, and throat doctors who can assess and treat sleep apnea, especially when related to anatomical issues.
Dentists: Some dentists specialize in sleep medicine and can provide oral appliances for sleep apnea.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, it’s important to seek medical advice and consider undergoing a sleep study. For further information, contact your healthcare provider. If you need verification of a Sleep Study’s eligibility, reach out to us at support@getmyhsa.com or open a live chat! Taking these steps can help ensure that you receive the necessary care while maximizing your HSA benefits.