2,795
Sleep Medicine Specialists
100%
Accepting patients
78%
Most common: MD
FindClarity lists 2,795 sleep medicine specialists nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is MD (78%). 75% accept Medicare.
Sleep medicine physicians diagnose and treat disorders that disrupt sleep, including obstructive sleep apnea, insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome, circadian rhythm disorders, and parasomnias (sleepwalking, night terrors). Poor sleep affects every aspect of health, from cardiovascular risk to mental health to immune function.
Sleep medicine is a fellowship-trained subspecialty. Physicians come from various backgrounds, most commonly internal medicine, pulmonology, neurology, or psychiatry, and complete a one-year sleep medicine fellowship. Their training covers the physiology of sleep, interpretation of sleep studies (polysomnography), and the management of both medical and behavioral sleep disorders.
Sleep apnea affects an estimated 30 million Americans, but roughly 80% are undiagnosed. Left untreated, it increases risk for hypertension, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and motor vehicle accidents. Effective treatment with CPAP or other therapies can reverse many of these risks and dramatically improve daily energy and cognitive function.
See a sleep medicine specialist if you snore loudly and feel unrested despite sleeping enough hours, if a bed partner has witnessed you stop breathing during sleep, if you have persistent insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep for three or more nights per week for three months), if you experience excessive daytime sleepiness, if you have restless legs that prevent sleep, or if your PCP suspects a sleep disorder.
The first visit includes a detailed sleep history: bedtime routines, sleep quality, daytime symptoms, snoring, medications, and caffeine or alcohol use. The doctor may order an overnight sleep study (polysomnography) at a sleep lab or a home sleep test for suspected sleep apnea. Sleep studies monitor brain waves, breathing, oxygen levels, and movement during sleep. Results guide treatment, which may include CPAP therapy, oral appliances, medication, or behavioral therapy for insomnia.
Office visit copay: $30-75 · In-lab sleep study: $1,000-5,000 · Home sleep test: $200-600 · CPAP machine: $500-2,000 (often covered by insurance)
You arrive at the sleep lab in the evening and sleep overnight while sensors monitor your brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, heart rate, breathing effort, oxygen levels, and leg movements. The setup takes about 30 minutes. The room is private and designed for comfort. You can get up for the bathroom during the night. A technician monitors the data from another room. Results are typically available within one to two weeks.
Yes. Oral appliances (custom mouthguards that advance the jaw) work well for mild to moderate sleep apnea. Weight loss can improve or resolve sleep apnea in some patients. Positional therapy (sleeping on your side) helps if apnea occurs mainly when on your back. Surgical options exist for select patients. Hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire device) is a newer option for moderate to severe apnea when CPAP is not tolerated.
Yes. Sleep medicine specialists treat insomnia with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which is the first-line treatment recommended over sleeping pills. CBT-I addresses the thoughts and behaviors that perpetuate insomnia. It is typically delivered in four to eight sessions and has lasting benefits without medication side effects. Medications may be used short-term while behavioral changes take hold.
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Sleep medicine visits and in-lab sleep studies are covered by most insurance plans with prior authorization. Home sleep tests are also covered and often preferred by insurers for suspected sleep apnea. CPAP machines and supplies are covered under durable medical equipment benefits, often with a rental-to-own arrangement. Oral appliances for sleep apnea may be covered by medical or dental insurance depending on your plan.