Has your doctor ordered a test, medication or specialist visit but can’t tell you what it’s going to cost?

Have you ever been surprised by a huge medical bill when you thought you were covered?

Have you ever postponed a procedure because you weren’t sure what it would cost you?

Have you ever been confused about your insurance coverage for a service that you really needed? 

Figuring out the price and your financial responsibility for a sleep study can be a challenge. We're here to help answer your questions.

Out-of-network services: a nasty surprise ($150 vs $1,200)

A study from the Kaiser Family Foundation of Americans who had trouble paying their medical bills found that 32% received care from an out-of-network provider that insurance wouldn't fully cover and 21% of respondents did not know that their provider was out of network. 

Why is it important to choose an in-network provider?

If you've received a new PAP device to treat your sleep apnea in the past 12-18 months, you likely have a device that can be enabled to wireless transmit your usage data to your smartphone, your physician, your medical equipment provider and even your health insurance company.

Why? How? What does this mean for patients and their privacy? What are the benefits for patients and their healthcare providers?

The Affordable Care Act (also known as ObamaCare) rolled out in 2014. Since then, we've seen changes in how healthcare is administered by many insurance companies.

Here's an overview of how sleep apnea testing in-center and in-home, PAP therapy and oral appliance therapy are affected by the Affordable Care Act. 

Health insurance company Anthem has an agreement in place to acquire Cigna, a $54 billion business deal that would create the largest health insurance provider in the country. The combined company would have more than 53 million members, surpassing UnitedHealth Group. If the deal passes muster with regulators, the combined company would also become the California’s largest health insurance provider, surpassing Kaiser Permanente’s 7.3 million members, according to The Los Angeles Times. However, industry consolidation is already drawing scrutiny from some economists and politicians who expect that a Cigna-Anthem Merger would hurt consumers. But a closer look at the economics of health insurance shows that such financial outcomes are far from clear.

The overworked, high-powered employee is a recurring archetype in American culture. The most glorified careers in our society--doctors, lawyers, and investment bankers--are notorious for long hours and not providing enough sleep. Our television stations are full of shows that romanticize the quick-paced and exciting lives of emergency room doctors or criminal lawyers, while entirely downplaying the negative health consequences of such a sleep-deprived lifestyle. Plus, many companies have a culture that demands 110% of their employees, without considering the detriments in terms of efficiency, long-term productivity, and individual health. 

That's why today we're taking a look at sleep in our corporate culture and how that culture is affecting working people and America as a whole.

This Monday, health care rates for 2016 were announced for Covered California, the California health care exchange set up as part of the Affordable Care Act. Overall, the projected rate increases are a mixed bag. While the statewide average increase is only modest, certain regions of the Golden state--particularly in Northern California--may see double-digit increases in their health insurance rates.

We all know someone who needs coffee to function. They may spend 5-6 hours per night in bed. When they wake up in the morning, the first thing they need to do is find a cup of caffeine. They might consume 3-4 cups of coffee or energy drinks per day to keep them going.

But over time, this cycle of insufficient sleep and excessive caffeine consumption can take a serious toll on your energy levels and your overall health. So this 4th of July, it's time to gain independence from your reliance on caffeine!

Chronic illness affects more than just the health of the person who lives with it; the economic costs are also significant. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is one such illness that affects millions of Americans, many of whom are undiagnosed, untreated, and may not even know they have it. And according to a report from Harvard Medical School, the economic cost of unmanaged OSA in the US is as high as $165 billion.

We’re 3/4 of the way through the year, and we at the Sleep Better, Live Better Blog hope you are having a happy and healthy 2014!

As the year draws to a close, you may not be aware that your health care plan might contain benefits that will expire at the end of the calendar year. Use our list below to make sure you access all the perks your plan has to offer!

October 28, 2015: We've updated this post with some more links and useful information.

• How does the Affordable Care Act affect sleep-related services?
• Guide to Understanding Your Heatlh Insurance
• Frequently Asked Questions About Insurance Coverage for Sleep Studies and Therapy