--- title: How to Order a Sleep Study description: What is required to order a sleep study to diagnose or rule out a sleep disorder? Learn about requirements for insurance coverage and more. image: https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/SRF_2016_08_04.png --- **[![ASMS_logo_shadow_round](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png?width=200&name=ASMS_logo_shadow_round.png "ASMS_logo_shadow_round")](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/)** **Advanced Sleep Medicine Services, Inc.** The Sleep Experts`®` (877) 775-3377 ## Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ### *We believe that education is the first step to finding better sleep. Our articles educate people on sleep news, sleep disorders, and sleep care to help them achieve better health and live better lives. * *Thanks for joining the conversation.* ## [How to Order a Sleep Study](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/how-to-order-a-sleep-study) Posted by [Julia Steele Rodriguez](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/author/julia-steele-rodriguez) Find me on: [Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/julia.steele818) [LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliasteele) [Twitter ](https://twitter.com/juliasteelerod) Aug 9, 2016 7:00:00 AM ![SRF_2016_08_04.png](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SRF_2016_08_04.png?width=338&name=SRF_2016_08_04.png)Sleep apnea affects more than 20 million Americans, yet most are undiagnosed and untreated. A sleep study, whether performed at-home or in a sleep center, is the most effective way to diagnose many sleep disorders, like sleep apnea. Learn about the typical requirements for ordering sleep studies. # Talk to your doctor about your sleep issues You can discuss your sleep issues with your primary care physician, a specialist or even your dentist ([here's](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/which-doctor-should-i-talk-to-about-my-sleep-problems) our post about which doctors handle sleep problems). You can discuss options for testing and potential therapy. If you prefer to meet with a sleep specialist, you contact your primary care physician to ask for a referral, or contact us [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/request-consultation) and we'll put you in touch with a local doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. # Order the sleep study If you and your doctor have determined that you need a sleep study to diagnose or rule out a suspected sleep disorder, it's time to order. Sleep studies are medical procedures that should be ordered by a physician (most insurances require a prescription or authorization, learn more about common insurance terms and the difference between HMO and PPO coverage [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/insurance-guide)).  ### Here's what's required to process your order: ### (1) Completed demographics and insurance information Most insurance plans cover sleep studies. Be sure to include complete information for faster processing and to ensure insurance coverage (for a full list of our contracted payers, click [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/insurance-list)). ### (2) Clear reasons for testing (including progress notes) Why are you ordering the sleep study? Reasons for testing must be clear and supported with documentation from a recent office visit. Medicare requires a face-to-face evaluation to discuss sleeping issues no more than 30 days before ordering the sleep study (learn more about Medicare requirements [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/medicare-coverage-for-sleep-studies)). ### (3) Select the proper study There are different testing options for diagnosing and ruling out different types of sleep disorders (learn about different types of sleep disorders [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/sleep-disorders)). It is crucial that a service is clearly ordered. The most common sleep studies (we have an expanded list including CPT codes [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/study-codes-guide)): - **Polysomnography (PSG)**- Basic overnight sleep study to monitor your sleeping and diagnose sleep disorders, like sleep apnea. Can be performed on adults and children. - **Titration**- If sleep apnea has already been diagnosed, CPAP will be administered and the pressure is adjusted to reduce or eliminate apnea events (learn about the difference between AHI, RDI and other terms [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/ahi-rera-arousal-rdi)). - **50/50 or split night study**- For the first portion of the night, your sleep is monitored. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, CPAP will be administered for the remainder of the study. - **Dual night study**- The first night is a diagnostic polysomnography. If sleep apnea is diagnosed, the patient will return for a second night dedicated to administering CPAP and adjusting the pressure. A full night for each study may be best for some patients and allows more time for mask fitting and pressure adjustments. - **PSG and MSLT-** To rule out or diagnose narcolepsy (learn more about MSLTs [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/what-is-the-test-for-narcolepsy)) an overnight study followed by a daytime nap study is required. - **In-home sleep apnea testing (HST)- **For adults who are highly likely to have moderate to severe sleep apnea and have no other major health issues such as recent stroke, congestive heart failure, neuromuscular disorders or suspected parasomnias, home sleep testing may be appropriate. HST can only diagnose or rule out sleep apnea and cannot be used in conjunction with oxygen or CPAP therapy. Learn more about the difference between in-home and in-center testing [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/home-sleep-testing-vs-in-center-study). ### (4) Send your order to the sleep center You can contact your insurance company to find a contracted provider (learn why it's best to go with a contracted sleep center and stay in-network [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/why-is-it-important-to-choose-an-in-network-provider)). If you have HMO insurance, your physician will probably have to request authorization. If you have PPO insurance or are paying cash, you can send your order directly to the sleep center. If you're in Southern CA and would like to complete your sleep study at one of our centers (see a full map [here](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/locations)) you can fax your order to (877) 775-3377 or email it to [orders@sleepdr.com](mailto:orders@sleepdr.com).  ### Use this form to order a sleep study: [![Download SRF (Rx)](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/299691/c3c7e88d-8b1a-4420-be32-f1fb64d88a1e.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/299691/c3c7e88d-8b1a-4420-be32-f1fb64d88a1e)   **Other posts you may find interesting:** - [Home Testing vs. an In-Center Study: Which is Best For You?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/home-sleep-testing-vs-in-center-study) - [Medicare Coverage for Sleep Studies](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/medicare-coverage-for-sleep-studies) - [How Does the Affordable Care Act Treat Sleep Apnea?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/the-affordable-care-act-treating-sleep-apnea) - [How Much Will a Sleep Study Cost Me?](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/how-much-will-a-sleep-study-cost-me) - [The Sleep Loss Epidemic](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/the-sleep-loss-epidemic-the-huge-social-medical-and-economic-costs-of-sleep-deprivation)   Topics: [Health Insurance](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/health-insurance), [Sleep Studies](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/blog/topic/sleep-studies) ## Share this blog post: [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-order-a-sleep-study%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-order-a-sleep-study%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-order-a-sleep-study%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-order-a-sleep-study%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=How%20to%20Order%20a%20Sleep%20Study) [![Share on Pinterest](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/pinterest-24x24.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-order-a-sleep-study%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dpinterest&media=) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-order-a-sleep-study%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2F299691.hs-sites-na2.com%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-order-a-sleep-study%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Subscribe to Email Updates Search our blog Search ### Posts by Topic - 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Corporate Office 17835 Ventura Blvd. Suite 300 Encino, CA 91316 Phone (877) 775-3377 Fax (877) 855-6227  [info@sleepdr.com](mailto:info@sleepdr.com) ## **Top Links:** [Frequently asked questions (FAQs) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/frequently-asked-questions)[Download Service Request Form (Rx) ](http://www.sleepdr.com/service_request_form)[Request medical records ](http://www.sleepdr.com/request-medical-records)[See a complete list of locations ](http://www.sleepdr.com/locations)[Schedule an appointment ](http://www.sleepdr.com/schedule)[Sleep Better, Live Better Blog ](http://www.sleepdr.com/sleepbetterblog)[Contact us](http://www.sleepdr.com/contact) **About Us:** Our mission is to empower sufferers of sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, to lead more fulfilling lives by improving their sleep. We believe that by caring for and educating our patients and diagnosing and treating their sleep disorders we can help them achieve better health. With 20 locations across California, we are the leading provider of in-center and in-home (HST) sleep studies, PAP therapeutic devices, and replacement PAP supplies. We are contracted with more than 300 medical groups and commercial health plans. We partner with independent physicians who are at the forefront of the field of sleep medicine and together we provide high-quality, affordable, result-oriented and patient-centric diagnostic and therapeutic sleep medicine services. We strive to make all our interactions with patients, referring physicians, coworkers, and others courteous, caring and professional and we consider each interaction with our patients as an opportunity to live up to our commitment to the highest standards of patient care.  ### Subscribe to our blog: [![Twitter link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/twitter-865437-edited.png "Twitter link")](https://twitter.com/mysleepdr)[![Facebook link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/facebook-square-750598-edited.png "Facebook link")](https://www.facebook.com/AdvancedSleepMedicine)[![LinkedIn link](https://299691.hs-sites-na2.com/hubfs/linkedin-815276-edited.png "LinkedIn link")](https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-sleep-medicine-services-inc) ## Original photos by Francisco Crow [www.fc-images.net](http://www.fc-images.net) All rights reserved. Our administrative offices AND sleep centers will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2016 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.