C How To Try Them Out
Ready to try out one of the new CPAP alternatives?
Here are some things that can help move the process along:
Do your homework Educate yourself about the various options so that youre ready to discuss pros and cons with a doctor.
Schedule a doctor appointment A sleep specialist will play an important role in helping you figure out which treatments are worth trying, getting the prescription, and qualifying for insurance.
Work with your sleep specialist As you try out a new treatment, they may be able make adjustments so that it works better for you.
Some of the latest sleep apnea devices may not yet be available. If youre interested in something thats still under development, talk to your doctor and the manufacturer about trying it out as a participant in a clinical trial.
How Much Does Inspire Surgery Cost
While Inspire surgery is the latest treatment for sleep apnea, most U.S. insurance companies already cover the cost for patients who meet the eligibility requirements. Typically, patients can expect to pay any unmet deductible along with any copay or coinsurance fee for the Inspire outpatient surgery. Medicare also covers the cost of Inspire surgery for sleep apnea, but a different type of specialist may need to perform it. If you have Medicare coverage, we will work with you to make a referral to an appropriate specialist.
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation For The Treatment Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Fee schedules, relative value units, conversion factors and/or related components are not assigned by the AMA, are not part of CPT, and the AMA is notrecommending their use. The AMA does not directly or indirectly practice medicine or dispense medical services.The AMA assumes no liability for data contained or not contained herein.
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Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy Overview
Inspire Sleep Apnea Device is a small, fully implanted system that senses breathing patterns and delivers mild stimulation to help maintain an open airway during sleep. Upper airway stimulation technology provides a first of its kind alternative for those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea who are unable to tolerate or or get consistent benefit from CPAP therapy.
Comprehensive Sleep Care Center has the areas top sleep medicine specialists and 9 convenient locations in Virginia and Maryland to help evaluate you for possible Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy.
What You Can Expect At Uthealth Neurosciences

UTHealth Neurosciences brings together a multidisciplinary team of board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeons, neurologists, researchers, and pain management specialists to help provide relief for even the most complex problems. Your team will share insights, leading to better treatment decisions and outcomes. You will receive expert care, excellent communication, and genuine compassion.
We first investigate nonsurgical treatment options, including medical management, pain management, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and watchful waiting. When surgery is needed, our neurosurgeons routinely employ innovative minimally invasive techniques. Throughout the treatment process, we will work closely with the doctor who referred you to ensure a smooth transition back to your regular care. While you are with us, you will receive expert care, excellent communication, and genuine compassion.
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What Is Inspire Sleep
Inspire Sleep is a small device that is placed inside the throat and used during sleep to open your airway, helping you to inhale. The device is placed under the skin of your neck and chest during a short, minimally invasive procedure in an outpatient setting. It is the only FDA approved device for treating sleep apnea from within your body, which means it is safe, practical, and effective.
Keep reading to find out what are inspire sleep pros and cons.
What Is Inspire Sleep Therapy
As we learn more about obstructive sleep apnea, scientists and medical researchers are working to develop more effective treatment solutions to address it. Inspire sleep therapy is considered a breakthrough in this field. It is the first implanted device which has been shown to help patients with OSA to breathe normally while asleep.
Find out how Inspire sleep therapy works, why it is so effective and why patients are asking for it by name. We also provide some practical information about what it feels like to use the Inspire device, who it is recommended for, and how to get started with treatment.
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So Exactly How Does Inspire Work For Sleep Apnea
If eligible, your ENT doctor will schedule a time for you to undergo a small procedure implanting the Inspire device. You will work with your doctor to carefully regulate the device to deliver comfortable levels of stimulation.
The Inspire device very simply works with your body to help you breathe by:
- Sensing chest wall movement during sleep and when needed, comfortably stimulating your hypoglossal nerve.
- Your hypoglossal nerve then causes your genioglossus muscle to contract.
- When the genioglossus muscle contracts, it moves and shifts the tongue slightly forward, enlarging your airway.
- You breathe freely and easily without sleep disruption
Whether you suffer from complex, obstructive, or central sleep apnea, Inspire could work to help you enjoy restful nights and energetic mornings again. Meet with your ENT doctor to determine if this new medical solution might work for you.
Q: How Many People Have Had This Procedure Done Since Its Introduction In 2014
A: Inspire Medical Systems Reaches over 1,000 Implants for the Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
According to a MINNEAPOLIS press release Inspire Medical Systems, Inc., a medical technology company that has developed and is commercializing a neurostimulation platform for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea , today announced that the Companys Inspire therapy has now been implanted in over 1,000 patients in the U.S. and Europe.
Strong demand year-to-date driving revenues already exceeding sales for full-year 2015. Inspire therapy is currently available at more than 100 leading medical centers across the U.S. and Europe. Company Named 33rd Fastest-Growing U.S. Private Company on Inc. 5000
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When Oral Appliances Are Covered
If youve been diagnosed with sleep apnea, an oral appliance is considered a frontline treatment for many types of sleep apnea, and is also considered a backup therapy for CPAP in other cases.
Oral appliances are covered when you have:
- Moderate or severe sleep apnea 15 or greater)
- Mild sleep apnea accompanied by sleep apnea symptoms like:
- Excessive daytime sleepiness
- Ischemic heart disease
- History of stroke
Your doctor may recommend CPAP, but you have the right to refuse it and choose oral appliance therapy. In addition, you have to meet the following requirements:
- Sleep apnea diagnosis with home sleep test or lab PSG
- The device is prescribed by your doctor
- The device is custom-fitted by qualified dental personnel
- You dont have TMJ or gum disease
If you meet all these criteria, your oral appliance should be covered by BCBSNE.
Am I A Candidate For Inspire
Inspire therapy was FDA-approved in 2014 and is in use by over 5,000 patients worldwide. Over 200 leading medical centers have now been trained to offer Inspire as part of their sleep apnea treatment options.
Inspire is for patients who:
- Have been diagnosed with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- Are unable to use or get consistent benefit from CPAP
- Are not significantly overweight
- Are over age 22
Reasons to Choose Inspire therapy
- Concerns about sleep deprivation and lack of oxygen during sleep, which may cause short- and long- term health risks .
- Feeling too tired for work, family activities, driving or exercise.
- Are unable to use or get consistent benefit from continuous positive airway pressure machines
- Desire for a more peaceful sleep experience with their bed partner
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Why You Required To Obtain Your Partner On The Very Same Web Page To Help Your Marriage Endure This New Truth
You need to find the correct snoring solutions for couples if you desire to maintain your marriage strong. Snoring can be a huge concern in a marital relationship. If one of the spouses has snoring problems, they commonly do not intend to oversleep the exact same bed as their partner. Inspire Obstructive Sleep Apnea Device
Some people believe that it is all right to copulate somebody else if they are not enthusiasts, however this does not make sense because individuals sleeping together typically intend to make love with each other. Married individuals should discover a solution that will certainly take care of both their snoring as well as intimacy demands.
Does Medicare Cover The Sleep Apnea Test

Medicare can offer coverage for sleep studies. However, before treatment, there are specific requirements the patient must meet. Part B of Medicare can cover a sleep study test if your doctor orders it, it is medically necessary to diagnose a condition such as sleep apnea, and sleep is recorded and staged. Medicare wont cove a sleep study for chronic insomnia.
Even with coverage, you may be responsible for some of the costs. If you have an Advantage plan, talk to your plan provider about in-network practitioners, coverage, and costs. Those with a Medigap policy may pay little to nothing out-of-pocket when receiving treatment.
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What Are The Next Steps If Im Interested In Inspire
If you are interested in Inspire ® Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, call our office at -372-9414, ext.223, to make an appointment with Dr. Phillips. He will meet with you and review your complete medical and sleep history, prior or current sleep studies, and perform an examination. Patients who are candidates for INSPIRE include those with moderate to severe sleep apnea, who have tried CPAP and are unable to effectively use the device to treat their apnea. Dr. Phillips will then schedule a short, painless diagnostic procedure called a drug-induced sleep endoscopy, or sleep endoscopy for short, to evaluate the anatomy of the upper airway during sleep, and identify patters of airway collapse. This procedure will help determine whether a patient is a candidate for INSPIRE Upper Airway Stimulation.
Inspire Sleep Apnea Therapy Vs Traditional Cpap
Among its many advantages, Inspire sleep apnea treatment is:
- Clinically proven to reduce sleep apnea events and improve quality of life and daytime functioning
- Fully implanted does not require a mask or oral appliance
- Designed to work with your bodys natural anatomy and breathing processes
- Simple and easy to use
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Diagnosing Sleep Apnea In Children
Most doctors follow these guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics:footnote 4
- During a routine checkup, your doctor will ask you and your child about snoring. If your child snores, be sure to tell your doctor.
- A complete sleep study typically is needed to find out if your child has sleep apnea and is not just snoring.
- Children who have sleep apnea and other disorders, such as Down syndrome or sickle cell disease, may need to see a specialist.
Who Should Not Get Inspire
The FDA stipulated a number of contraindications that would rule out candidacy for Inspire. These are:
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Now Offering A Cpap Alternative For People With Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Were now offering Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation therapy, a new treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea for those who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy.
Inspire therapy is the first implantable device for treating OSA. In contrast to CPAP, Inspire therapy works from inside the body and with a patients natural breathing process. The implantable system includes a small generator, a sensing lead and a stimulation lead. Turned on by a handheld remote, it delivers mild stimulation to key airway muscles, which keeps the airway open during sleep. For more information on how Inspire therapy works, please visit the website.
It is critically important that you get your obstructive sleep apnea under control. Inspire therapy works inside your body with your natural breathing process to treat sleep apnea. Mild stimulation keeps your airway open during sleep, allowing oxygen to flow naturally. You use a small handheld remote to turn Inspire on before bed and off when you wake up. No mask, no hose, no noise.
Inspire therapy is safe and clinically proven. Recently published data shows patients using Inspire experience:
- 79% reduction in sleep apnea events
- 88% reduction in bed-partner reported snoring
- 91% overall patient satisfaction
Things You Cant Change
- Aging. Sleep apnea is most common in people age 30 and older.
- Being male. Sleep apnea is more common in men.
- Family history. If other members of your family have sleep apnea, you are more likely to have it than someone who doesnât have a family history of it.
- Ethnicity. Hispanics and Pacific Islanders have a greater risk of sleep apnea than whites. Blacks tend to get sleep apnea at a younger age than whites.
- Deformities of the spine. Deformities of the spine, such as scoliosis, may interfere with breathing and contribute to sleep apnea.
- Conditions that may cause head and face abnormalities. Conditions such as and Down syndrome may result in abnormalities and increase the risk for sleep apnea.
- Menopause. Sleep apnea tends to occur more often in women who have been through menopause than in women who have not. After menopause, women get sleep apnea at a rate similar to men.footnote 3 Experts donât know why or how menopause increases the risk of sleep apnea.
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What Is It & How Does It Work
Inspire is an upper airway stimulation approach to sleep apnea that works inside the patients body. It involves a small implantable pacemaker-like device which stabilizes the throat while sleeping by providing gentle stimulation to throat muscles and allowing the airway to remain open during sleep.
The device gets implanted along the right side of the neck and chest wall during a two- to three-hour procedure under general anesthesia. After four weeks the device gets turned by the physician and patients use a small remote control to turn the device on at night and off in the morning when they wake up. The small sensor in the chest wall monitors the patients breathing and sends mild stimulation to the hypoglossal nerve to prevent the tongue from blocking the airway.
How Does Inspire For Sleep Apnea Work

When you are ready to sleep, simply click a button on a remote control to activate the device. While you sleep, the Inspire senses your breathing and sends a gentle pulse that moves your tongue and upper airway to keep you breathing freely. Inspire is implanted in a quick outpatient procedure. You and your doctor will then work to fine-tune your device to ensure the best outcomes.
The only external piece of Inspire is the small remote control. It does not require wearing a mask or bulky hoses, like a CPAP machine. The device is always with you, whether you are traveling in a plane, camping, or napping on the couch.
While most insurances cover Inspire, please check with your insurance company to ensure they would pay for your treatment.
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What Happens During Inspire Sleep Apnea Treatment
Those who qualify for Inspire will require a minor outpatient procedure. The physician implants the small nerve stimulator device and battery pack under the skin in the chest. One electronic lead, or wire, connects the device to the nerve that stimulates the tongue. The other lead connects to a space in the ribs near the diaphragm. Once connected, the device monitors the patient’s breathing. The device sends an impulse to the tongue during every breath while sleeping, keeping the airway open for oxygen.
After the procedure, it takes about 30 days to heal. You will then return to your physician, who activates the device. Once activated, you can use a handheld remote control device to turn Inspire on before you go to sleep each night. You can also pause, and turn it off in the morning. The battery pack is designed to last 7-10 years, much like a pacemaker.
Benefits And Risks Of The Inspire Device
Data indicates that the Inspire device eliminates sleep apnea or significantly reduces snoring and daytime sleepiness. In addition to daytime tiredness and irritability, people with sleep apnea are at higher risk for stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and liver problems. Other complications of sleep apnea can include memory problems, mood disorders, heart attacks and heart rhythm disorders.
Once you have Inspire therapy, you should not have an MRI. The magnetic fields of MRI scanners can cause harm to components of the Inspire system and may also cause tissue damage. It is best to discuss your options with your doctor if an MRI is suggested. Alternative imaging technologies such as CT, ultrasound or others may be most suitable for you.
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