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Sleep Solutions, LLC was formed to focus on the individual needs of a growing population of Americans who suffer from sleep disordered breathing. We specialize in the treatment and long-term management of sleep disordered breathing offering the latest technology available in positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, respiratory assist devices (RAD) and related accessories. We are committed to providing advanced clinical support and incomparable customer care to our patients and providers alike. We pride ourselves on our detailed follow up plan which allows us to consistently better serve the needs of our patient population resulting in enhanced compliance.
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Our mission is to increase awareness and advocate for the treatment and long term management of sleep disordered breathing by educating the community on the effect it has on a person if left undiagnosed or untreated. Exemplified by our dedication to education, compliance, and innovative technology, our team of professionals are committed to providing the highest level of service and improving our customers quality of life.
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- According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sleep apnea affects 20 million Americans, or roughly 20% of the U.S. adult population. Additionally, 3-5% more are diagnosed annually and 10 million people in the U.S. are believed to remain undiagnosed.
- There are three types of apnea: (1) obstructive (2) central and (3) mixed; Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) being the most common.
- A person who suffers from sleep apnea may experience symptoms including loud snoring, gasping and choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, depression, sexual dysfunction, irritability, and falling asleep in common areas such as work, on the phone, or while driving.
- More serious risks associated with sleep apnea include congestive heart failure, cardiovascular disease, irregular heart rhythms, and stroke.
- CPAP is the most common and effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
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Cleaning
Daily
- Wipe mask with damp cloth or accessory cleanser to remove body oils.
- If a heated or passover humidifier is used as part of your prescription, humidifier chambers should be emptied and cleaned everyday to prevent contamination and transmission of bacteria. It is recommended to use distilled water. You should replace your water before bedtime.
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Once per week
- Disconnect the tubing from the PAP machine.
- Remove the mask.
- Disassemble any mask parts or pieces.
- Remove headgear from the mask.
- Remove reusable foam filters (black/gray). Replace pollen filters (white) if they appear dirty or worn.
- Wash mask, tubing, and reusable foam filters in a mild dish washing detergent (i.e. Ivory or Dove) and warm water. Do not use antibacterial soaps.
- Rinse thoroughly, air dry.
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Sanitizing
Monthly Disinfecting
- Soak mask, cushion or pillows, tubing, and humidifier chamber (if applicable) in a solution of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 10 parts water for 20 minutes.
- Rinse thoroughly, place all pieces on paper towels, and allow them to dry completely. Tubing can be hung over a door to dry.
- Alternatively, you may use a disinfecting product like Control III to clean and deodorize your mask, cushion, nasal pillows and tubing. These products are available on-line or through your equipment provider.
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| Remember it’s important to keep your respiratory equipment clean to prevent infections.
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| Insurance Code |
Supplies |
Reimbursement Frequency |
| A7034 |
Nasal Mask |
1 every 3 months |
| A7032 |
Nasal Mask Cushion |
2 per month |
| A7033 |
Nasal Pillows |
2 pair per month |
| A7030 |
Full Face Mask |
1 every 3 months |
| A7031 |
Full Face Cushion |
1 per month |
| A7044 |
Oral Mask |
1 per 3 months |
| A7035 |
Headgear |
1 per 6 months |
| A7036 |
Chin Strap |
1 per 6 months |
| A7037 |
Tubing |
1 per month |
| A7038 |
Disposable Filters |
2 per month |
| A7039 |
Reusable Filters |
1 per 6 months |
| A7046td>
| Humidifier Chamber |
1 per 6 months |
*Actual reimbursement schedules may vary. Please contact your insurance provider to confirm accuracy.
| What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea? |
| Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder in which a person's breathing stops during sleep in intervals that may last from 10 seconds to a minute or longer as a result of a collapsed airway that prevents air from getting to the lungs. With each apnea event, the brain briefly arouses the person in order for them to resume breathing, but consequently sleep is extremely fragmented and of poor quality. |
How is Sleep Apnea diagnosed? |
Fortunately, sleep apnea can be diagnosed and treated effectively. A sleep study is required to diagnose sleep apnea. Contact your physician to discuss your symptoms if you believe you are at risk.
For a list of accredited labs in your area, click here |
How is Sleep Apnea treated? |
There are several treatment options available for people who suffer from OSA.
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- Positional Therapy
- Weight Loss
- Avoidance of alcohol and other CNS depressants
- Oral Appliances
- Surgery (UPPP=uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, LAUP=laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty, Tracheostomy)
- CPAP/Bi-Level Therapy
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| The most common, non-invasive treatment option is Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Discuss with your physician which form of treatment is best for you. |
What is CPAP? |
| CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. CPAP therapy provides a constant airflow which holds the airway open so that uninterrupted breathing is maintained during sleep. |
How often do I use CPAP or Bi-level? |
| The PAP device should be worn every night and even during naps. Follow your physician’s prescribed usage. |
Can I travel with my CPAP or Bi-level machine? |
| Absolutely. For business or pleasure always take your PAP device with you. If you are traveling by airplane, it is recommended that you carry your PAP on board with you as opposed to packing it in your luggage. You should request a copy of your most recent prescription to carry with you. Most PAP devices come with an inconspicuous carry bag to carry your equipment and accessories, so it won’t look like you are carrying a medical device. For more information visit:http://www.sleepapnea.org/news/travel.html |
What is Bi-level or Bi-level ST? |
| Bi-level therapy is delivered at two alternate set pressures, inspiratory pressure (IPAP) and expiratory pressure (EPAP). |
Bi-level ST is a non-invasive ventilator. ST stands for Spontaneous Timed. Bi-level has two set pressures but some patients require a back up timed response in which the ST will initiate a breath if one is not taken within the set timed parameters. |
What is C-Flex or EPR? |
| C-Flex (by Respironics) and EPR (by ResMed) offer pressure relief. Both options have proven to improve patient comfort and compliance without compromising therapy effectiveness. |
What is Humidification? |
| Humidification adds moisture to inspired air, reducing irritation to the nasal passages caused by the increased airflow of CPAP or Bi-level therapy. There are two forms of humidification available; heated or passover. Heated humidifiers increase air humidity by warming the air and they are adjustable to offer more or less moisture. |
Why is air leaking from my mouth? |
| Air leaks from the mouth whenever the mouth is opened during PAP. There are several reasons for a mouth leak. |
- Mouth breathing
- Nasal irritation
- PAP set at a higher pressure and forces the mouth open
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| Mouth breathing causes unidirectional airflow. The air flows out of the mouth instead of back over the nasal mucosa. A full face mask provides effective therapy even in the presence of a mouth breather. Chinstrap is also an option. |
Why am I waking up congested? |
| Congestion can sometimes develop due to lack of adequate humidification and mouth breathing. If you have allergies or a cold, consult your physician for recommended PAP usage during that time. |
Why do I wake up with dry eyes? |
| Air leaking from the mask at the bridge of the nose and over the eyes during sleep will cause the eyes to dry out. If this occurs, your mask may be fitted incorrectly or you may have a worn seal. Reposition your mask and adjust headgear. Do not over tighten the headgear. Pressure from a mask that is too tight will cause bruising and open sores. If the leak continues, it may be a worn seal. It’s important to change your mask as recommended to ensure maximum benefits of the therapy. |
Why is my face breaking out around my nose? |
| An allergic reaction to the mask can appear as redness or a rash all around the nose and on the forehead. |
Silicone itself is and inert substance, however some people may be allergic to the chemicals silicone masks are manufactured in. Normally, these chemical disperse over time, but they can cause an initial allergic reaction. The solution is to remove the chemicals before applying the mask to your face by washing in warm soapy water. Washing the mask prior to application should reduce or eliminate the problem. |
Why is the bridge of my nose sore? |
| Sores at the bridge of the nose or below the nose are usually due to tightening the headgear straps too much. Bruising and open sores may follow if left untreated. Often times, allergic reactions are confused with pressure bruises and open sores that can result from tightening headgear straps too tightly. |
It is usually necessary to change your mask to allow these sores to heal. Nasal pillows are an option in the meantime. |
If I lose weight can I stop using PAP? |
| Only your physician can determine whether or not to discontinue the use of PAP. Most often, significant weight loss or gain will require an adjustment in your pressure settings. A new sleep study or home titration may be required to determine your optimal pressure. You should speak to your doctor if you think your pressure may need to be adjusted. |
Why are my mouth and nose dry in the morning? |
| Dry mouth is a sign that you are opening your mouth while you sleep. If you use a nasal mask, you may want to consider using a chin strap or changing to a full face mask. If you currently wear a full face mask or chinstrap and continue to experience dry mouth, try adding humidification to assist in resolving the issue. |
Nasal irritation occurs due to the constant pressure through the nasal passages. In effort to reduce or eliminate the irritation, use a humidifier to add moisture to the airflow. If you are already using a heated humidifier, try turning it up to a higher setting |
Why are there water droplets in the tubing? |
| Water collects in the tubing when ambient room air is colder than the heated air created by the PAP, or when there is too much moisture being produced by the humidifier. |
Make sure that no fans or vents blow directly on the tubing. Next, try adjusting the temperature on the heated humidifier. |
If your temperature adjustment alleviates the condensation, but causes nasal irritation or congestion, return the humidifier to its original settings and add an insulating sleeve to the hose. |
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.
PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.
At Sleep Solutions, LLC we respect our legal obligation to keep health information (“Protected Health Information” or “PHI”) that identifies you private.
We are obligated by law to give you notice of our privacy practices. This Notice describes how we protect your health information and what rights you have regarding it.
Sleep Solutions, LLC reserves the right to update the terms of this Notice at any time. If this Notice is amended, we may make the terms effective for all Protected Health Information that we maintain. This includes any information created or received prior to issuing the amended Notice.
A current copy of the Notice will be conspicuously displayed at our business offices and our web site.
TREATMENT, PAYMENT, AND HEALTH CARE OPERATIONS
We will ask you to sign a consent and acknowledgement form that allow us to use and disclose your protected health information for treatment, payment, and health care operations and acknowledges your receipt of this notice.
Examples of how we may disclose the information is detailed below:
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Treatment- We may use and disclose protected health information about you to document the medical necessity of the equipment, supplies, or services we are providing you. For example, to provide services as ordered by your physician.
Treatment also includes the coordination of services and communication with your physician, facilities, and other healthcare providers involved in your care.
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Payment- We may use and disclose your protected health information so that we can bill and receive payment for the equipment and services provided to you. For billing and payment purposes, we may disclose your health information to your payment source, including an insurance or managed care company, Medicare, Medicaid, or another third party payor to verify payment for health care provided.
This includes, but is not limited to, eligibility verification, authorization, pre-certification, billing and collections, and obtaining additional documentation as required by your insurer.
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Health Care Operation- We may use and disclose your protected health information as necessary in effort to continually improve the quality of care in the services provided to you.
Several examples of health care operation include quality assurance and improvement, evaluation of competence and qualifications of our respiratory therapists, nurses, and other healthcare workers, and to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulations.
USES AND DISCLOSURES FOR OTHER REASONS WITHOUT PERSMISSION
In some limited situations, subject to applicable state law, the following allows or requires us to disclose your protected health information without your permission. Such uses or disclosures are as follows:
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Relatives, Close Friends, and Other Caregivers-
Unless you object, we may use or disclose your protected health information to a relative, a close friend, or another person identified by you, if the information relates to that person’s involvement in your health care, or to notify that person of your location, general condition, or payment related to your health care.
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Local Agencies- We may disclose limited health information about you to notify local agencies, (i.e. power, phone, gas, and emergency medical services) in the event of an emergency (i.e. blizzard, hurricane, flood, etc.) authorized by law to assist in a disaster relief effort.
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Business Associates- There may be some services provided by our business associates, such as billing, legal, or accounting services. We may have to disclose your protected health information to our business associates so they can perform the jobs we have asked them to do.
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Public Health Activities- We may disclose your protected health information to a public health authority that is authorized by law to collect or receive such information, such as for the purpose of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability; reporting child abuse or neglect; notifying a individual of recalls of products they maybe using; alert an individual who may have been exposed to a communicable disease or may be at risk to contracting or spreading a disease or condition.
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Treatment Alternatives and Health Related Benefits and Services- We may use and disclose protected health information to tell you about or recommend possible treatment options or alternatives and to tell you about the health related benefits, services, and educational classes that may be of interest to you.
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Service and Delivery Reminders- We may use and disclose your protected health information to remind you that you have an appointment for services or equipment and supplies needs.
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Health Oversight Activities- We may disclose your protected health information to a health oversight agency for activities authorized by law, such as audits, investigations, inspections, accreditation, licensure, disciplinary actions and for ensuring compliance with the rules of government health programs such as Medicare or Medicaid.
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Victims of Abuse, Neglect, or Domestic Violence-
If we reasonably believe you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence we may disclose your protected health information to a legally authorized government authority such as social service or protective services agency.
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Judicial and Administrative Proceedings-
We may disclose your protected health information if you are involved in a lawsuit or dispute in response to a legal order or other lawful process.
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Law Enforcement- We may disclose your protected health information to police or other law enforcement officials for certain purposes if permitted or required by law or to comply with a court order, warrant, or similar legal process.
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Correctional Institutions and Inmates-
If you are in a correctional institution or under the custody of a law enforcement official, we may release protected health information about you.
This would be necessary for the institution to (1) provide you with health care; (2) to protect your health and safety or the health and safety of others; or (3) for the safety and security of the correctional institution.
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Coroners, Medical Examiners, and Funeral Examiners-
We may disclose your protected health information to a coroner or medical examiner as authorized by law.
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To Avert Serious Threat to Health or Safety-
We may disclose your protected health information when necessary to prevent a serious threat to your health and safety or the health and safety of the public or another person. Any disclosure however would only be to someone able to help lessen or prevent the threat.
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Military, Veterans, and National Security-
If you are a member of the armed forces, we may disclose protected health information about you as required by military command authorities or the Department of Veterans Affairs. We may disclose protected health information about you to authorized federal officials for intelligence, counterintelligence, and other national security activities authorized by law.
We may disclose protected health information about you to authorized federal officials so they may provide protection to the President, other authorized persons or foreign heads of state or conduct special investigations.
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Workers’ Compensation- We may disclose your protected health information as permitted by laws relating to worker’s compensation or related programs.
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Sale
of Business Assets- We reserve the right to transfer your protected health information to a third party in conjunction with the sale of our company or certain assets.
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As Required by Law- We may disclose your protected health information when required to do so by federal, state, or local law not already mentioned in the preceding categories.
YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION RIGHTS
You have specific rights with respect to your protected health information. We would like to remind you of your
rights as follows:
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Right to Request Restrictions- You have the right to request restrictions on the use and disclosure of your personal information. You may request a restriction by providing a written request stating the specific restriction requested.
We are not required to agree to your requested restriction.
If we do agree, we will comply with your request except as needed for emergency treatment.
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Right to Receive Confidential Communications-
You have the right to request an alternative means of communication or an alternative location where you would like to receive communications.
Such requests should be submitted in writing and specify how you wish to be contacted. All reasonable requests will be accommodated.
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Right to Inspect and Copy- You have
the right to access, inspect, and obtain a copy of your protected health information. To access, inspect, and copy your protected
health information, you must submit your request in writing to Sleep Solutions. If you request a copy of the information, we may charge a fee for the cost of preparing, copying, mailing or other supplies associated with your request. We may deny your request to inspect and obtain a copy in limited circumstances.
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Right to Amend- You have the right to request an amendment to your protected health information maintained in your medical records. To do so, please submit a written request for the amendment, including the reason for the amendment, to Sleep Solutions. We will comply with your request unless we believe that the information that would be amended is accurate and complete or other special circumstances apply.
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Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures-
Upon request, you may obtain an accounting of certain disclosures of your protected health information made by us during any period of time prior to the date of your request provided such period does not exceed six years and does not apply to disclosures that occurred prior to April 14, 2003.
Such requests must be submitted in writing to Sleep Solutions.
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Right to Obtain a Paper Copy of This Notice-
You have the right to obtain a paper copy of this Notice, even if you have agreed to receive this Notice electronically.
ADDITONAL INFORMATION OR TO REPORT A COMPLAINT
If you have any questions about this Notice or would like further information concerning your privacy rights, please contact us at:
Sleep Solutions, LLC
705 North Mountain Rd.
Suite C101
Newington, CT
06111
Attn: Privacy Officer
(860) 436-9501
(800) 547-6673
info@sleepsolutionsexperts.com
If you suspect your rights have been violated, you may file a complaint with us or with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
You will not be penalized for filing a complaint and we will make every reasonable effort to resolve your complaint with you.
ACKOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Please print, sign your name and date to acknowledge that you have received this Notice of Privacy Practices.
Printed name of patient or patient’s representative
Signed name of patient or patient’s representative
Date
If the
above signature is that of a patient’s representative, please complete the following:
Printed name of patient
Relationship to patient
Please return this acknowledgement to:
Sleep Solutions, LLC
705 North Mountain Rd.
Suite C101
Newington, CT
06111
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