CMS Considers Home Sleep Testing Coverage

Baltimore

CMS is reviewing its national coverage of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requiring continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Current policy requires a sleep test, or polysomnography, to be performed in a facility-based sleep-study laboratory, but the agency is considering changes to accept the use of portable multi-channel home sleep test devices. According to Dr. Terence Davidson of the University of California San Diego, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) “is grossly under-diagnosed in large part due to a limited number of sleep diagnostic facilities.” Davidson submitted a letter to CMS requesting the policy change.

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