08 Feb Oral Appliance Therapy Cost: Is It More than CPAP?
As a board certified specialist in dental sleep medicine, Dr. Hartsfield can offer a fantastic alternative treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA or “sleep apnea” for short): oral appliance therapy (OAT).
Of the two treatment types, CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) is the most familiar to new patients, but it’s also the more cumbersome and uncomfortable option. In fact, many patients are CPAP intolerant.
Oral appliance therapy is what we offer at TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama. When we share the advantages of OAT over CPAP with our patients, we give them a detailed, honest cost of treatment, the price of treatment, so they can make an informed decision regarding their health care.
Find out what oral appliance therapy costs for our patients and discover the best option for your individual treatment needs.
Cost Effectiveness and Affordability
Does oral appliance therapy cost more than CPAP? The short answer is: at first, yes; over time, no. The initial price of your first CPAP setup will be cheaper than that of OAT treatment; however, in the long run, CPAP treatment will cost more and more as time goes on.
CPAPs involve a lot more components apart from the machine itself, such as the mask and hose, which will require replacements with regular wear and tear. The CPAP machine also requires routine maintenance with consistent use.
Oral appliance therapy, on the other hand, is the option that involves an oral device that is durable and does not require maintenance, other than some occasional adjustments if the fit loosens over time. In this sense, OAT is more cost-effective and able to effectively treat your sleep apnea with fewer side effects.
Oral Appliance Therapy Costs: With and Without Insurance Coverage
At this point, you’re ready to find out the dollar amount: how much does oral appliance therapy cost, exactly? The answer depends on if you’re having to pay out of pocket or if you have insurance.
Without insurance, you’ll typically be paying around $3000 out of pocket. That sounds very pricey, but payment plans are often available and this total cost includes everything from the consultation to the fitting, adjustments, three months of follow up appointments, and the devices themselves.
If you have health insurance, you should first check to see if your policy will cover some or all of your oral appliance therapy costs. Most insurance plans will cover at least a portion of the costs if not all. Medicaid has covered up to 80 percent of OAT for some patients!
Usually, the results from a consultation can provide sufficient proof for insurers, but if that still doesn’t convince your provider, we may be able to reach out directly and advocate the validity of your need for coverage.
Oral Appliance Therapy Is Our Specialty!
If you’re suffering from any of the obstructive sleep apnea symptoms we describe, you need a consultation right away to qualify for treatment! The longer you go without sleep apnea treatment, the worse the disorder will become; your risk for major health complications will also increase.
With oral appliance therapy from TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, you can greatly reduce your risk of these complications and still get the great sleep you want and need—without the discomfort and side effects of a CPAP! Contact us today to book an appointment.
Learn more about sleep apnea, the restorative power of dental sleep medicine, and oral appliance therapy on our blog.