Can Telemedicine Treat Sleep Disorders?

Worried about your sleep? You’re not alone. Based on a Google Trends study, more people around the globe have searched for the term “insomnia” since the start of the pandemic. In addition, people with sleep apnea have had cause for concern. Researchers identified sleep apnea, a condition that triggers a pause in breathing during sleep, as a risk factor for COVID-19.  

As concern about sleep rose during the pandemic, so did the use of technology for virtual healthcare services — also called telemedicine. Healthcare providers use telemedicine to treat a wide range of illnesses, including sleep disorders like sleep apnea.

In this post, we’ll cover how telemedicine works for sleep disorders, the benefits of telemedicine for sleep issues, and telemedicine treatment options. 

How does telemedicine work for sleep disorders?

Telemedicine for sleep disorders works like telemedicine for most other health conditions. You schedule a virtual visit or phone call with your sleep specialist through an app or a patient portal. To prepare for a video chat, you need to make sure you have a strong internet connection, good audio and video, and a list of your questions and concerns written down for the appointment. 

Many specialists can diagnose your sleep disorder by reviewing your medical history and any sleep studies you’ve done in the past during your appointment. They can also use telemedicine for other services, such as:  

• Monitoring your breathing and oxygen levels while you sleep at home

• Having follow-up visits with a respiratory therapist or a sleep technologist to help you adjust CPAP therapy

• Getting prescription medication refills

What at-home tests are available for sleep disorders?

Most at-home sleep tests focus on diagnosing sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes you to stop breathing while you sleep. These episodes can occur several times an hour and interrupt your sleep. 

To test for sleep apnea, you tape a wire to your nose and mouth, put elastic bands across your chest, and attach an oxygen monitor to your finger. These devices track your airflow, breathing effort, and oxygen levels in your blood while you sleep. Your provider can review the results and prescribe the treatment that’s best for you.

Typically, at-home sleep studies cannot test for other sleep disorders like restless leg syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, or narcolepsy. Talk to your healthcare provider to see what at-home sleep studies they offer. 

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Are home sleep tests as effective as tests in a sleep lab?

Research suggests at-home sleep apnea tests are just as effective as tests done in a sleep lab. However, at-home sleep tests only monitor for sleep apnea. If you need additional testing, you’ll likely need to head to an in-person sleep lab for a polysomnography, the name for a sleep study done in a lab. 

Studies at the lab can track more than just your airflow, breathing effort, and oxygen levels. During a polysomnography, a sleep technologist can also monitor your:

• Heart rate

• Eye movement

• Brain waves (EEG)

• Muscle activity

• Body position

The additional information can help a sleep specialist diagnose sleep apnea as well as other disorders like:

• Insomnia

• Restless leg syndrome

• Narcolepsy

• Sleepwalking

• Periodic limb movements disorder

What telemedicine treatment options are available for sleep disorders?

Insomnia and sleep apnea are the two most common sleep disorders in the U.S. Sleep specialists can treat both via telemedicine. Those treatments can include:

• CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy uses a device to help patients with sleep apnea breathe more easily at night. Telemedicine allows sleep specialists to track CPAP pressure, air leaks, apnea-hypopnea index (the number of times your breathing has paused), and compliance. If you have a problem with your device or need more intense support, your provider can offer next-day follow-up care by phone or video. 

• CBT-I: Your provider may recommend a type of therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) via telemedicine. Therapy sessions may cover changing unhelpful thoughts you have about sleep, learning relaxation techniques, and understanding the connection between behaviors and sleep.

• Medication management: If your provider prescribes medications, you can ask for refills or changes via e-messaging programs.

What are the benefits of telemedicine for sleep disorders?

Many of the advantages of telemedicine in general apply to sleep disorders, like convenience and saving time. Other benefits include:

• You can do tests for sleep apnea from your own bed.

• You don’t have to drive to appointments, which could be dangerous for yourself and other drivers when you’re really tired.

• You can easily schedule CPAP follow-up care.

• You can request prescription refills or updates without having to visit your provider’s office. 

Is telemedicine for sleep disorders covered by insurance?

Yes, most insurance plans cover telemedicine visits for sleep disorders. You’ll likely pay the same cost as an in-person visit. Depending on your health plan, you may have to pay a copay or meet your deductible. 

However, some health plans may want you to pay for the telemedicine visit up front and submit the bill to get reimbursed. Check with your insurer before scheduling a telemedicine appointment for a sleep issue to understand what you’ll have to pay. 

How can I find a telemedicine provider?

If your sleep specialist provides telemedicine services, ask them about setting up virtual visits. If you don’t have a sleep specialist, contact your health insurer or call a local sleep lab and ask about telemedicine services. You can also try an online platform like SleepCare Online or contact the American Academy of Sleep Medicine for more information. 

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Written by:

Ana Gascon

Ana Gascon has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, with 8 years in health and medical content work. She is a versatile health and medical content creator who writes about acute conditions, chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and health equity.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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