Take a Sleep Test at Bates County Memorial Hospital

Are you longing for a good night’s sleep? Have you ever wondered if you have a sleep disorder? There’s a test for that, and you don’t have to travel far to do it. What’s more, most insurance plans cover the cost of the test, as well as treatment for a diagnosed sleep disorder.

At BCMH, sleep studies have been available since 2005. Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has required accreditation for coverage of Medicare and Medicaid patients. As of March 2019, the hospital gained accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, giving patients with Medicare and Medicaid coverage the opportunity to complete a sleep study ordered by their provider right here in the community.

A sleep study may be ordered for a variety of sleep disorders, but one of the most common is obstructive sleep apnea.

“Many patients don’t realize they have sleep apnea,” says Michael Behringer, RRT, Director of Respiratory Therapy at BCMH. “Sometimes it’s their sleeping partner who notices the symptoms and urges them to see a doctor.”

One of the most noticeable symptoms for sleep apnea is loud snoring, but Mike says this symptom isn’t always present. Other symptoms for obstructive sleep apnea include episodes in which breathing stops and gasping for air during sleep. Someone with sleep apnea may also notice symptoms like recurrent awakening, morning headaches, difficulty paying attention while awake, and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Sleep studies are usually ordered by the patient’s primary care provider. The test is painless and monitors various movements and functions during sleep. At BCMH, patients will work with American Board of Sleep Medicine certified Registered Sleep technologists from Midwestern Sleep Services, which has worked with BCMH since 2005. Sleep study appointments are available seven nights a week.

“We work with each patient to find a convenient time for them to complete their sleep test,” Mike says. “Afterward, most patients are able to go back to work or continue with their regular routine.”

The sleep laboratory at BCMH is comfortably furnished with a full size bed, carpet, mini frig, private bathroom with shower, and a flat screen TV. Most patients report to the lab for their overnight test at 8:00 p.m., and can usually return home by 5:00 a.m.

Sleep studies, as well as treatment for sleep disorders, are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans. Talk to your health care provider about whether a sleep study might be right for you.