Sleep study required length?

[protagonistj]

Hello. This post is a bit of a rant, but I do have questions. Bit of background, I have had a System One for almost 6 yrs. I want to get a new machine. I moved and got a new doctor who will not renew my subscription without a sleep study. I have terrible snoring. I will wake up multiple times with swollen throat, unable to swallow, takes a day to go away. It is the worst. I'm down south and went without power for 2 nights during the recent freeze shenanigan's . It was the first time in years that I had been completely without my CPAP and I learned just how much I rely on it to feel good. 

Anyways, I have to complete this 2 night study and I couldn't cut it but more than 3.5 hrs on night one. I might try it again tonight. I have 2 questions. 
1. how long is long enough for whoever uses this data to determine whatever they need to determine? 
2. Is this new sleep study really required or is it the runaround from the health care system. Putting a patient through this seems unintelligent. 

Thanks for reading.

[OpalRose]

Welcome to Apnea Board!
If you had a prior sleep study, your new doctor should accept that. But if you didn't and you are dealing with a new doctor, then I can see why he/she may want a sleep study done.

It sounds like you are attempting a home study. Is that correct? I know that an overnight study in a sleep center would need a minimum of 2 hours of "actual sleep" to be accepted.

And yes, the health care system does like to give us a run around. If you are going through insurance, then it's something you have to deal with. The alternative is to self fund and buy your own machine, which many here have done.

[SarcasticDave94]

Welcome,

I could be incorrect, but I think a minimum of 4 sleeping hours are needed. To avoid this exact scenario, you should request sleep study reports for your health file. You want both detailed diagnostic and titration if they both exist. US HIPAA law permits you the ability to request and receive these from the ordering physician. As whether the study is required, I think it may be needed if you cannot produce the report from a prior, but it is also new doctor creating boat payments from you and your insurance.

[protagonistj]

Yes, it is a home study. It's a ResMed device. I'm going to suck it up tonight and see it through. How likely is it to get the doctor to write the prescription for life? I've heard thats a thing.

[Melman]

I don't know if it's universal but many Drs. are now writing prescriptions for one year rather than life.