will insurance take this diagnosis?

I have had 2 sleep studies and did not sleep well either time, both times diagnosed w/ mild sleep apnea, but inconclusive since I never entered REM sleep. I did meet with the Sleep study Dr about other problems I am experiencing and he wrote a follow up stating "suggests severe sleep apnea"  My insurance now requires severe sleep apnea. Do you think this will qualify? xxxooo angie

I actually use to work in a sleep lab...... yeah, I was the dreaded person hooking up all of those lovely robotic leads, putting putty in  your hair and telling you to get some sleep. Yeah Right!!!   Every sleep lab has different  procedures and protocal, but one of the problems with sleep apnea is that you don't get into REM sleep and if you do, its not for very long.  Thats why people with sleep apnea usually suffer from daytime drowsiness.  It's hard to say what your insurance will accept or deny, but if they're asking for a physician's statement that you have severe sleep apnea and he sent that...... even in a follow up note, I would imagine thats sufficient.   To anyone out there *****ads this and is about to have a sleep study.. a couple of suggestions to help you sleep........ ofcourse, its not your own bed, so you're not gonna sleep great.. but here are a few tips. 1) Dont drink a lot of caffeine during the day 2) Dont drink a lot of fluids before you go for the study (the more you drink, the more you need to pee .... the more you pee, the less you sleep) 3) Don****ch tv for long and dont try to go to sleep with the tv on.  Do what you did when you were little..... turn out the lights and close your eyes..... you'll eventually get there (and probably earlier) 4) wear something you're comfortable in to sleep...... whether its pajamas or a tshirt and shorts...... shy away from the satin/silk pajamas (some of the leads slide up and dont on those materials) 5) RELAX!!! its a sleep study, easiest test you can take, no poking and prodding... just a few wires here and there. if anyone is nervous about a sleep study and has any questions... I'd be happy to try and answer them.  Or atleast point you in the right direction.  I'm NOT a doctor, simply a polysomnography tech with 4 years experience in sleep studies with the use of CPAP and BIPAP.  Just drop me an email =) Angie......... GOOD LUCK, I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya! ~Mel

It sounds to me as if the sleep doctor diagnosed severe sleep apnea, but the comment is really out of content. For the insurance review, I think it really depends on how it was stated and where. In some cases the doctor saying that it is highly probable that you have severe apnea and you actually having been diagnosed is two different things. However, if the statement is on the chart next to all of your symptoms and the sleep study results- than you may have just what you need. Either way- I am rooting for you! If nothing else- try another sleep study.