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SomnoMed Offers Turnkey Solution for Dentists
this is big news for dentists who want to "get in on" Sleep. SomnoMed has partnered up with SleepQuest (a DME) and Watermark (a home test provider) to solve the biggest obstacles facing rank and file dentists who want to expand their practice into Sleep: (i) getting dental patients diagnosed with OSA but not losing the patient to the sleep lab they would refer to; and (ii) dealing with the hassle of getting reimbursed for the mandibular advancement device.
that's my take on it. below is what the company has to say about it in their press release. i personally think this is a step in the right direction -- getting more front line "in the trenches" health professionals involved in diagnosing and treating OSA. agree or disagree?
(from http://www.somnomed.com/For_Dental_Professionals/Medical_Insurance_...) SleepQuest has developed, with Dr. William Dement (considered the father of modern Sleep Medicine), the most respected Home Diagnostics and OSA Patient Management Program available anywhere. They are now joining with SomnoMed to empower and expand your practice by providing a complete program for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) management including:
- Home sleep testing
- Diagnostic interpretation
- Insurance billing
- Therapeutics supply including the SomnoDent® appliance
- Efficacy testing (titration)
Comprehensive Dental ProgramThe Comprehensive Dental Program is designed to meet the two most important requirements of successfully implementing and expanding a Dental Sleep Apnea Management Program: 1.) Obtaining the critical diagnosis from a board-certified Sleep Physician and 2.) Managing the complicated (and frustrating) payor reimbursement process so that more patients will be able to afford this therapy option.Screening ToolsSleepQuest will provide you with clinically-validated screening tools that you can use to identify the at-risk sleep apnea population who most urgently need attention.Diagnostic Sleep StudySleepQuest will provide a definitive diagnostic sleep study testing using the highly regarded Watermark ARES device. SleepQuest specialists, physicians and support staff will guide you through every step of the sleep study, diagnostic interpretation, and SomnoMed treatment process.Once you refer a patient to SleepQuest for diagnostic testing, SleepQuest will contact the patient to arrange a convenient time to conduct the sleep study utilizing FDA-cleared and clinically validated multi-channel ARES diagnostic systems. The patient will talk to a Sleep Care Specialist, who provides full instruction to the patient concerning the use of the test device.Data Analysis, Interpretation and DiagnosisSleepQuest uses Board-Certified Sleep Physicians to provide all sleep study and titration interpretations. Our physicians are also available to consult with you regarding the diagnosis and interpretation.NOTE: Not all patients are candidates for oral appliance therapy. Sleep Quest will work with you, your patient and their doctor to facilitate the most appropriate treatment options based on the results of the diagnostic test.SomnoDent® Lab ReferralOnce you have made your oral examination, submit the patient impression and bite record directly to SomnoMed. The packet you send to SomnoMed should include upper and lower models, bite registrations, and a completed SomnoMed lab slip. As the distributor of the SomnoDent®, to track your order and to ensure proper payment, please send a copy of your Lab Slip and your Processing Fee to SleepQuest. The completed custom-made SomnoDent® will be returned directly back to you for scheduling your patient for the fitting.Insurance Billing for Diagnostic & Oral ApplianceAs a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider, SleepQuest has over a decade of experience in billing private and government payors. We will make every effort (including appeals) to secure the maximum reimbursement for the oral appliance so that your patient has the smallest possible out-of-pocket expense.
Follow-Up Efficacy Sleep StudyOnce the patient has been fitted with the SomnoDent®, SleepQuest will test the patient to identify the success in controlling the Sleep Apnea condition. With the results of this test, you can confirm that the therapy is successful, or make a determination if any additional adjustment would be appropriate.Start Right Now!SomoMed can provide you a total solution for your Dental Sleep Apnea Practice with our program of easy screening, accurate diagnostic evaluation, MAS efficacy testing and convenience to patients. To begin, simply download these two forms to start referring patients right away for diagnosis and for ordering the SomnoDent®.
Views: 318
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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I think it's a step in the right direction, too. Considering how many people just don't want or don't tolerate CPAP, this may be a way to get some of them treated. I like that they admit an oral device might not be for everyone and that they do follow up testing. I also like that the expense for the patient is considered as a major factor (insurance reimbursement).
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Permalink Reply by John Krainik on
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I don't think that this is a step in the right direction. I don't think that getting more providers and creating competition will fix a system that is already plagued with competency issues.
Equipment manufacturers started by adding some good things to the machines, but unfortunately, the ability for everyone to be able to download and get "the numbers" has, in my opinion, added to already compromised good treatment of sleep disordered breathing.
The sleep Center I work in regularly tests patients that have received dental devices. So far, the rate of patients that respond favorably to dental devices seems limited.
I will be attending a conference tomorrow where Dr. Dement will be speaking. Hopefully, this program will be a part of his address.
I haven't to this point, responded to experiences and concerns with the issues facing PAP patients, but in a nutshell, lack of patient support and education, by sleep docs, DME's and other sleep professionals, to me, appears to be the biggest issue in the failure of the average patient to tolerate and continue to use PAP. There is very little reimbursement other than the actual testing, and sale of equipment and supplies to motovate providers to devote time to followup, education and supporting the average sleep patient. It's kind of like buying a car, then not being able to get it serviced.
John Krainik,CRT, RPSGT
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Permalink Reply by Amy on
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Here is the big issue I have most insurances will not reimberse for dental appliances without trying cpap first. Second they only offer 1 style of oral appliance and although I was impressed with teh info I was given it is probably one of the most expensive on the market. Even if you have lets say Medicare there is still a 20% copay.
They say they will attempt to get the maximum reimbersement but if you do not know enough about the insurance then you could in theory stick a person with a very big bill of almost $4000
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Permalink Reply by Shelia Shafer on
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I'll weigh in as a former BI-pap user who has switched to a dental appliance. I'm very happy. The BI-pap was awful and no matter how much time I took off work and worked with the doctor and worked with the technician, I was never happy and didn't see that much of an improvement. I have severe obstructive sleep apnea by the way. I hadn't used my machine in a year or two. It was just collecting dust. I went to a dentist who fitted me for the device and have been happy ever since. I paid up front - $2,500 - with a health credit card and my health insurance reimbursed half of it. The dentist's office was diligent in following up to make sure I got paid. They also would work me in very early for adjustments so I wouldn't have to miss any work. It's so non-obtrusive that I get to thinking, heck I don't need to use this, I'm sleeping well. And then one night without it and I'm extremely tired and sleepy the next morning and usually wake myself up several times snoring. Easy to travel with, MUCH less maintenance than a machine and most importantly, it works. For me at least. Couldn't be happier.
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Permalink Reply by Rooster on
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I will not comment on the effectiveness of oral appliances versus CPAP at this time. However, I would like to comment on the marketing of the two treatments.
In the article Mike posted, you have the dentist, Ares, SomnoMed and SleepQuest establishing a cooperation with all of the parties understanding that the patient is the customer. The partnership's activities are directed toward screening the potential patient, getting the patient diagnosed, assisting the patient with payment, delivering a therapy for the patient, and following up with the patient to ensure the therapy is working.
In our current traditional system, you have the CPAP manufacturer who thinks the DME is the customer; the DME who thinks the regulatory and licensing agents are the customer; and the sleep lab and doctors who think the prescription is the patient.
The partnership focusing on the patient as customer will divert many people to oral appliances who otherwise would have used CPAP. It will also get many people diagnosed whose condition has been overlooked by their GPs and other doctors. I predict it will be highly successful in starting patients on oral appliance therapy.
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This will simply open up the market for more dentists who are already one step above Aluminum Siding Salesmen. I dont see Neurologists advertising hokey treatments on the net! Sleep Apnea is not the same as whitening teeth!!
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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Rooster, I couldn't agree with you more. The patient as the customer. Radical, revolutionary concept in healthcare. Steps in this direction have my utmost support and this is one such step.
Rooster said:I will not comment on the effectiveness of oral appliances versus CPAP at this time. However, I would like to comment on the marketing of the two treatments.
In the article Mike posted, you have the dentist, Ares, SomnoMed and SleepQuest establishing a cooperation with all of the parties understanding that the patient is the customer. The partnership's activities are directed toward screening the potential patient, getting the patient diagnosed, assisting the patient with payment, delivering a therapy for the patient, and following up with the patient to ensure the therapy is working.
In our current traditional system, you have the CPAP manufacturer who thinks the DME is the customer; the DME who thinks the regulatory and licensing agents are the customer; and the sleep lab and doctors who think the prescription is the patient.
The partnership focusing on the patient as customer will divert many people to oral appliances who otherwise would have used CPAP. It will also get many people diagnosed whose condition has been overlooked by their GPs and other doctors. I predict it will be highly successful in starting patients on oral appliance therapy.
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