- The ApnoDent is generally covered under all major health insurance plans for managing mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. Here are some common facts about insurance coverage for ApnoMed devices:
- Oral appliance therapy is almost always covered by medical insurance under the same criteria which is used for coverage of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy
- Your ApnoMed provider will need to take required records in order to acquire insurance coverage, one of which includes a written prescription by physician or sleep doctor to treat sleep apnea.
- Many insurance companies do not cover treatment for snoring only. A patient must have obstructive sleep apnea indicated in a sleep report in order to receive insurance reimbursement
- Most insurance companies do not require a trial of CPAP therapy or failure with a CPAP in order to reimburse for a sleep appliance. It used to be that a patient had to first try a CPAP and fail before being prescribed an oral sleep appliance, however as of 2017 the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has approved oral appliance therapy as a first line of treatment for patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnea
- On rare occasions oral appliance therapy is covered under some dental insurance plans
- All ApnoMed devices are covered by a 3 year manufacturer warranty
- The beauty of the ApnoDent is that it bypasses many of the known long term side effects such as permanent tooth movement, bite change and jaw pain. However this does not mean any of these side effects are impossible to occur on rare occasions. If you start to experience tooth movement, severe jaw pain and bite change which does not correct itself please contact your ApnoMed provider.
- It is important to clean your ApnoDent daily, just like you do with your teeth! Please refer to the ApnoDent user guide or contact your ApnoMed provider for instructions on cleaning and maintenance.
- Just like trying something new for the first time, your body will need to acclimate to the ApnoDent. Typically patients will get completely used to wearing the device within 2-4 weeks of beginning use. Below are some common symptoms you may experience within the first few nights of using the ApnoDent:
- Dry Mouth: Your mouth will adjust to experiencing dryness, but if you feel that you are unable to produce saliva, you can try over the counter saliva substitutes.
- Excess saliva: This is the most common symptom patients will experience and the only thing to do is wait. Your bodies response to a new object in the mouth is to produce excess saliva and you will adjust to this in a few weeks
- Soft tissue/gum irritation: This is another common side effect and will naturally resolve itself in a few weeks. Your provider can make specific adjustment to the appliance if it is poking in certain areas.
- Tooth tenderness: You may experience sore teeth for the first few weeks as the ApnoDent sits tightly on the upper teeth to ensure it does not fall out. This will naturally pass as your body adjusts to it.
- Sore jaw: The ApnoDent works by gently guiding your lower jaw forward to an ideal resting posture to eliminate your sleep apnea and snoring symptoms. Naturally, you may experience jaw soreness as your body adapts to the appliance. The best way to overcome this is to wear the device for an hour or two during the day so your body can adjust faster.
- There are a few conditions were oral device therapy is not suitable for treatment of sleep apnea. If you suffer from the following conditions oral device therapy may not be for you:
- Have central sleep apnea
- Have severe respiratory disorders (unless recommended by a sleep physician due to CPAP intolerance)
- Have several loose/missing teeth or have advanced periodontal disease
- Are under the age of 18 (unless recommended by a sleep physician due to CPAP intolerance)
- Are allergic to acrylic
- The cost of the ApnoDent depends on your level of medical insurance and will vary patient to patient. Although you visit a dental provider to receive your ApnoDent, the device will most likely not be covered under your dental insurance. ApnoMed’s devices are generally covered by all major health insurance plans as a medical device to treat sleep apnea. You can contact your health insurance provider for information relative to your specific coverage.
TEST YOURSELF AND SEE IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE
Find out if you may have sleep apnea! Take the short survey: Screening questioners (Epworth Survey and STOP BANG) Collect email and send results via email