But with Mendoza's pauses in breathing and hypertension, he likely did.Īccording to Dr. Not everyone who snores needs this evaluation. What Gives: Sleep studies are somewhat controversial and have been flagged in the past as being overused. Service Provider: University of Miami Health System's sleep medicine facility at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami Mendoza owed the bulk of that: $5,157, including $262 in coinsurance and $4,895 to satisfy his deductible. Humana's negotiated rate for the total was $5,419. Total Bill: $10,322, including a $9,853 outpatient charge for the sleep study and a $469 charge for the sleep specialist who interpreted the results. Medical Service: An overnight sleep study at a hospital sleep center to determine the type of mask and the proper levels of airflow and oxygen needed in Mendoza's CPAP to treat his severe obstructive sleep apnea. Mendoza's pulmonologist said it was not detailed enough and ordered a visit to an overnight sleep lab to get extensive data. He needed a new CPAP machine, they said.īut first, he had an at-home sleep test. But after a battery of tests, clinicians concluded his obstructive sleep apnea itself was likely causing his headache and cardiac problems.
He thought it was related to his high blood pressure, a condition sometimes linked to obstructive sleep apnea. Late in 2019, Mendoza, 61, went to an emergency department near the family's Miami home with an excruciating headache. But the machine was noisy and uncomfortable. This happened several times a week.ĭiagnosed with severe sleep apnea 15 years ago, Mendoza was prescribed a continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, device to help him breathe easier. If too many seconds ticked by, she pushed him hard so that he moved and started breathing again. The sudden quiet would wake her and she waited anxiously for him to take another breath. José Mendoza's snoring was bad - but the silence when he stopped breathing was even worse for his wife, Nancy. It has a $5,000 deductible and 50% coinsurance, leaving him financially vulnerable. Truck driver José Mendoza has a Humana HMO plan through his employer.
0 kommentar(er)
