Help! How long (days/months) are sleep study results valid for?

[ApneaNewbie]

Hello,

I have a tricky situation. My insurance benefits with my old employer end on 6-30-16. My new employer health benefits don't kick in until 8-1-2016.

Since I have a sleep study scheduled for tomorrow (6-25-16)... how long will those results be good for?

Will I be able to get the sleep study done now, and wait until August to get a CPAP machine with those that 35 day old study?

Thank you for your help, I'd hate to spend $400 out of pocket for the sleep study... only to find out sleep study results are normally only valid for 30 days

[JudgeMental]

The results of your sleep study will remain the same until you take another sleep study. The results do not expire, however they may change from one study to another. It is probably a little late now, but a call to your new health care program should be in order to confirm any questions that you may have. Perhaps someone else my enlighten us with a more definitive answer as to some type of timeline expiration, if there is one.

[trish6hundred]

Hi ApneaNewbie,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good luck to you with your sleep study.

[bwexler]

A sleep study simply reports your sleep experience for that one night under often awkward conditions. Those results will always be valid for that night.
Various entities may require additional sleep tests for various reasons. You may need a titration overnight study. Some insurance providers or Medicare may require perioidic tests before they will pay for new or replacement equipment. If your circumstances change you may need testing before getting an upgraded machine to treat central apnea events.
Your 35 day question is a non issue. Some folks here have gone six months from sleep test to machine. You don't need to be one of them if you do your homework here and take a proactive approach to your care.
I made sure that everyone knew I expected results yesterday, at every step of the way. I think I had each new machine within a week of each sleep study.

[vsheline]

Hello,

I have a tricky situation. My insurance benefits with my old employer end on 6-30-16. My new employer health benefits don't kick in until 8-1-2016.

Since I have a sleep study scheduled for tomorrow (6-25-16)... how long will those results be good for?

Hi ApneaNewbie,

This is a question for new employer insurance company, but I think 6 months would be a safe bet.

[JPDTrek]

Hi, ApneaNewbie!

I have to echo the sentiments from the other posters... And I would also strongly suggest calling the insurance carrier for your new employer as soon as possible. Since there are often delays between the studies and follow-up appointments for results (sometimes weeks or months), I personally think you'll be okay. But it may be worth opening a case with the insurance carrier.

Since you don't have an actual insurance ID get, your employer's benefits or HR department should be able to provide you an employer and/or plan ID to call in with. Just be honest with the carrier about your situation and see what they can do. As always, record any case or confirmation numbers and get as much in writing as possible.

Good luck with this process - and with your sleep study! Don't forget to post your results.

[AmberMarieLynn]

Don't quote me, but when I worked at a large insurance company the test was valid for 5 years. I believe this is the answer you were looking for. So, for example, your current treatment isn't working or you're having issues with compliance and are interested in a different treatment option, once your sleep test is 5 years old they will no longer use it to determine treatment options. A new test will be required. But this is my person experience only.

[JRuck504]

Good question, glad I stumbled upon this.