Now Accepting Medicare!

We are pleased to announce that we are now participating with Medicare as a durable medical equipment supplier for oral appliances!

Late last year Medicare determined that they will cover sleep apnea appliances when medically necessary. In order to establish medical necessity, the patient must have an overnight sleep study performed that documents an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 15 or greater. If less than 15 but more than 5, must have documentation of excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired cognition, mood disorders or insomnia or hypertension, ischemic heart disease or history of stroke. If the AHI is greater than 30, must have documentation of CPAP trial and reason of non-compliance.

Medicare also requires a prescription to be written by the primary care physician sent to our office describing the need for an oral appliance.

Our staff can assist you in gathering all documentation required by Medicare prior to your appointment. Why not give us a call today and start sleeping better!

Welcome to Our Blog

Thank you for checking out our blog! Our goal is to keep you up to date with the world of sleep apnea and to provide informative and helpful information. The following came to us from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine:

A study done by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio published 1/14/2009 shows that dental appliances are successful in treatment of patient with severe sleep apnea.  The study used the Thornton Adjustable Positioner (TAP) and according to assistant professor Paul McLornan B.D.S in the Department of Prosthodontics, "We saw patients who began the study with severe sleep apnea end the study with very mild or no sleep apnea. They reported sleeping better, feeling more rested in the morning and altogether healthier."

Dr. McLornan said this research is vital to both the medical and dental communities.

"What we found was that many of our patients with moderate to severe sleep apnea were not adhering to standard treatment with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Although the CPAP is considered to be the gold standard in treating sleep apnea and is very effective, compliance by patients is well below 50 percent. Sleep apnea is a growing and serious problem for people of all ages and all ethnic groups. If left untreated, it becomes progressively worse. People suffering from sleep apnea are at increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, obesity and diabetes. It takes both dentists and medical professionals working together to control this potentially deadly disorder. The TAP gives patients another viable treatment alternative."

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the professional society that sets the standards for and promotes excellence in sleep medicine, now recommends that oral appliances can be the first line of treatment for people with mild to moderate sleep apnea. Dr. McLornan's study demonstrates it can be used for patients with severe problems as well.