Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about home sleep testing, sleep apnea diagnosis, insurance coverage, and treatment options. Can't find what you need? Call us at (877) 775-3377.
I Received a Text or Email
Your doctor has ordered a Home Sleep Test for you. We sent you a text message and/or email to schedule the Home Sleep Test that your doctor ordered.
If you don't know why your doctor ordered the Home Sleep Test, please contact your doctor to get the background. If you need more information or think it may be an error, please call us at (877) 775-3377.
The process is: (1) Your doctor orders a Home Sleep Test and sends the referral to us. (2) We contact you by text message and/or email with a link to our online scheduler. (3) You use the scheduler to complete paperwork, review training information, and select a shipping date. (4) We ship the device to you. You use it overnight at home and return it using the prepaid shipping envelope. (5) We analyze the data and the interpreting physician creates a final report. (6) We send the report to your doctor, who discusses the results with you and plans next steps.
About Sleep Apnea & ASMS
Advanced Sleep Medicine Services (ASMS) is a California-based medical practice specializing in the diagnosis of sleep apnea and other sleep disorders. We have been providing sleep testing services since 1994 — making us one of the most experienced sleep medicine groups in the state.
Our board-certified sleep physicians review every study personally. We ship FDA-cleared devices directly to patients throughout California, making professional sleep testing accessible without the need for an overnight lab visit.
Our headquarters is located in Redlands, California. However, because we specialize in home sleep testing, we serve patients throughout the entire state of California — from Los Angeles and San Diego to the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, Fresno, and beyond.
We ship sleep test devices directly to your home anywhere in California, so there is no need to travel to a clinic. You can call us at (877) 775-3377 or visit our Locations page for more information.
We specialize in diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) — one of the most common sleep disorders in adults. Our home sleep test devices measure breathing patterns, oxygen levels, heart rate, and movement to detect apnea events throughout the night.
If your results indicate a more complex sleep disorder — such as central sleep apnea or another condition requiring an in-lab polysomnography — our report and recommendations will help your doctor guide you to the appropriate next step.
The most common signs of obstructive sleep apnea include loud snoring, gasping or choking during sleep (often reported by a partner), excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, difficulty concentrating, and waking up feeling unrefreshed even after a full night of sleep.
Many people with sleep apnea do not know they have it. If you experience any of these symptoms, a home sleep test is a simple, affordable way to find out. Untreated sleep apnea is associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, so early diagnosis is important.
Sleep apnea is extremely common — it is estimated to affect over 30 million adults in the United States, though the majority remain undiagnosed. It affects men, women, and children of all ages and body types, though it is more prevalent in adults over 40 and those who are overweight.
Because many people are unaware they stop breathing at night, sleep apnea is sometimes called a "silent epidemic." A simple home sleep test can determine whether you are among the millions who have it.
Advanced Sleep Medicine Services has been California's trusted provider of home sleep testing since 1994. With over 30 years of experience, our board-certified sleep physicians have helped thousands of patients get accurate diagnoses from the comfort of their own homes.
We accept over 300 insurance plans, use FDA-approved diagnostic devices, and ship test kits directly to your door anywhere in California. Our physicians personally review every study, and most patients receive their results within days. No clinic visits, no long wait times — just convenient, accurate testing you can trust.
What Is the Process?
A Home Sleep Test screens for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, a common sleep disorder. The primary reason is addressing excessive daytime sleepiness, which diminishes quality of life, affects relationships, and impairs work performance. Additional benefits include reducing snoring-related relationship issues and addressing associated health risks like heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes. Treatment can restore energy and alertness.
A Home Sleep Test or HST is a screening test for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. We use the NightOwl or ApneaLink Air devices. The NightOwl is a tiny device you tape to your index finger overnight and connect to your smartphone via bluetooth and an app. You use the device for 2 nights for best results, and don't need to return the device. The ApneaLink Air includes a small central unit, chest belt, finger cap for oxygen measurement, and nasal cannula. Patients wear it overnight at home, then return it in the prepaid envelope we provide.
You must obtain a physician's order. Your doctor or medical group sends the referral to us and we contact you to schedule shipment of the home sleep test kit. Our online scheduler simplifies address confirmation and paperwork completion. You take the test at home for 1 or 2 nights, depending on the device. Our board-certified sleep physician interprets the results. We send the final report with diagnosis and recommendations to your doctor, who will discuss the results and next steps with you.
We ship home sleep test kits via Priority Mail from the US Postal Service. For ApneaLink Air devices, a prepaid return envelope is included. You use the device for one night and return it the next day. NightOwl devices require two consecutive nights of testing and you don't need to return it.
We provide easy instructions including a short video for both the NightOwl and ApneaLink Air devices on our device instructions pages. For the NightOwl, you connect the device to an app on your smartphone via bluetooth, and simply tape the device to your index finger overnight. For the ApneaLink Air, you wear a chest belt with the device enclosed, with a finger probe and cannula. Our customer service at (877) 775-3377 supports patients with questions before or after testing during business hours.
Testing should occur the night the device arrives. Early return helps accommodate other scheduled patients. If testing cannot occur immediately, contact customer service at (877) 775-3377 for assistance.
Maintain your normal sleep routines to ensure complete rest. Activate the device upon getting into bed, even if sleep doesn't occur immediately. Leaving the device on if you awaken during the night is acceptable.
We send the completed report to your doctor, who will discuss the results and next steps with you. Once we receive the data from your sleep study, we send the report to your doctor approximately 10 business days after you complete the test, and sooner if possible. For the NightOwl device, we receive the data electronically as soon as you complete the second night of testing. For the ApneaLink Air device, we receive the data when you mail the device back to us in the prepaid envelope we provide. Prompt device return accelerates result delivery.
We send the completed report to your doctor, who will discuss the results and next steps with you. The report includes a diagnosis and recommendations for treatment. If the diagnosis is positive for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), treatment options may include an auto PAP device (auto CPAP). Treatment for mild cases may involve weight loss, positional devices, or dental appliances. Inconclusive results may warrant an in-center overnight sleep study.
For diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in adults, home sleep tests are clinically validated and accepted by all major medical organizations including the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). They are highly accurate for detecting moderate-to-severe OSA.
In-lab polysomnography measures more data points and may be recommended if your symptoms suggest a more complex disorder (e.g., central sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, or narcolepsy). Your physician will recommend the right test for your situation.
Preparation is simple. On the night of your test: avoid napping, avoid alcohol and sedatives, follow your normal bedtime routine, and sleep in the position you normally would. Do not apply lotion, oils, or nail polish to the area where sensors are attached, as this can affect signal quality.
Each home sleep test kit comes with step-by-step printed instructions and a setup guide. Visit our Device Instructions page to review the short training video before using the device or for more detailed guidance. Call (877) 775-3377 if you have any questions before testing.
We send the completed report to your doctor, who will discuss the results and next steps with you. After you take the test, we get the data back and our board-certified sleep specialist physician interprets the results, a process that takes about 10 business days, or sooner if possible. For the NightOwl device, we get the data back electronically after you complete the second night of testing. For the ApneaLink Air device, we get the data back after you return the device to us in the prepaid envelope we provide.
A negative result means the data did not show significant apnea events. This is good news, though it does not necessarily rule out all sleep disorders. If you still have symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring, or morning headaches, your physician may recommend an in-lab sleep study to investigate further.
Occasionally, a test may produce inconclusive results (e.g., the device was dislodged during sleep). In that case, we may ask you to repeat the test at no additional charge.
Yes, all sleep tests require a doctor's order. Your doctor can fax the order to us at (877) 855-6227 or email us at orders@sleepdr.com. For PPO or Medicare insurance, we need the order, your demographic and insurance information and progress notes. For HMO and Medi-Cal HMO insurance, we need the authorization. You can also contact us and we can often coordinate directly with your physician.
If you do not have a referring physician, our team can help connect you with a sleep medicine physician for an initial consultation. Call us at (877) 775-3377 to discuss your options.
We use FDA-cleared, clinically validated home sleep test devices including the ResMed NightOwl, the ResMed ApneaLink Air, and the Dream home sleep test device. The specific device sent to you depends on your clinical needs and availability.
All devices are compact, comfortable, and easy to use. We provide a short setup video, and full setup instructions are included with each device, and our support team is available by phone if you have questions.
No, you do not need to return the NightOwl device after your test. After using it for two nights, please keep it in a safe place in case a retest is needed for any reason.
Yes, you need to return the ApneaLink Air device immediately after taking your test. We provide a prepaid return envelope. Simply put the device in the envelope, seal the envelope, and drop it at any US Post Office. We provide a prepaid return envelope so there is no cost to you for returning the device. Please return the device immediately after completing your test to avoid any delay in processing your results.
Yes. Home sleep tests are non-invasive and completely safe. The sensors simply monitor your body signals during sleep. The devices are FDA-cleared and used by millions of patients each year.
Some patients find wearing the device slightly unfamiliar at first, but most fall asleep without difficulty. If you have specific concerns, please speak with your physician or call our team before your test night.
Getting a home sleep test in California is simple. You can request a test online at sleepdr.com/schedule-here or call us at (877) 775-3377. Our team will verify your insurance coverage and coordinate with your physician if needed.
Once approved, we ship an FDA-approved sleep test device directly to your home. You wear it for one night in your own bed, then return it in the prepaid envelope. A board-certified sleep physician reviews your data and provides a detailed diagnosis, typically within a few days. We serve all of California — from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sacramento, San Diego, and everywhere in between.
Insurance & Billing
Yes. We accept over 300 insurance plans, and home sleep testing is covered by the vast majority of commercial insurance plans, Medicare, and Medi-Cal when medically necessary. Coverage typically requires a physician order and documented symptoms.
Before we ship your device, our team verifies your insurance benefits so you know what to expect. Most patients owe little to nothing out of pocket. Call (877) 775-3377 to confirm coverage with your specific plan.
Yes. We are a Medicare-approved provider. Medicare Part B covers home sleep testing for the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea when ordered by a physician and medically necessary. Coverage is subject to your Medicare deductible and coinsurance.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, coverage may vary. Our insurance team will verify your specific benefits before scheduling your test.
We offer self-pay options for patients without insurance coverage. Home sleep testing is one of the most affordable ways to get diagnosed for sleep apnea, and our self-pay rates are competitive.
Contact our office at (877) 775-3377 to discuss self-pay pricing and payment options. We believe that everyone deserves quality sleep care, regardless of insurance status.
You can pay your bill online at sleepdr.com/customer-service/pay-my-bill, or call our billing department at (877) 775-3377. We accept all major credit cards, checks, and HSA/FSA payments.
If you have a question about your bill or believe there is an error, please do not hesitate to reach out. Our billing team is happy to review your account and work with you on a resolution.
Sleep Apnea and Treatment Options
PAP (Positive Airway Pressure) therapy is the most effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A PAP device delivers a continuous stream of pressurized air through a mask worn during sleep, keeping the airway open and preventing the breathing interruptions that characterize sleep apnea.
The most common types are CPAP (Continuous PAP, fixed pressure), APAP (Auto-adjusting PAP, varies pressure based on need), and BiPAP (Bilevel PAP, different pressures for inhale and exhale). Most patients are started on APAP, which automatically adjusts throughout the night for maximum comfort and effectiveness.
PAP therapy is prescribed by your physician after a diagnosis of sleep apnea. Advanced Sleep Medicine Services can help coordinate PAP device setup and ongoing supply replacement. Call us at (877) 775-3377 or ask your doctor for a referral.
Physicians & Referrals
Every home sleep test is reviewed and interpreted by one of our board-certified sleep medicine physicians. Board certification in sleep medicine requires completion of an accredited fellowship program and passage of a national examination — ensuring the highest standard of diagnostic care.
Unlike automated scoring systems, our physicians personally review each recording to ensure accuracy and clinical relevance. You receive a physician-signed report with a clear diagnosis and recommended next steps.
Yes. We work with primary care physicians, ENTs, cardiologists, pulmonologists, and other specialists throughout California who refer patients to us for home sleep testing. Referring a patient is simple — visit our Service Request Form or call (877) 775-3377.
Physicians can also request medical records and detailed diagnostic reports through our secure physician portal. We pride ourselves on fast turnaround times and clear communication with referring physicians.
Still have questions?
Our team is available Monday–Friday to answer your questions and help you get started with a home sleep test.