When healthcare moves slowly, sometimes a simple gadget fills the gap. And, a few months back, my new ophthalmologist (!) thought it likely I have sleep apnea. So I did what folks do and Googled it. It seems the most common first-line diagnostic test these days is a gadgety home sleep study, versus overnighting in a facility. Better yet, it can be provisioned by an online provider without taking time off from work to visit one’s physician or doing the legwork to find a specialist.
Several sites offer this service, and I went with Lofta based on solid Reddit feedback plus their clear, accessible website. While I paid more than $99 for my sleep study, that’s their current, compelling deal.
The process starts with a clinician review, followed by the mailed kit, if appropriate. There are various flavors of WatchPAT gadgetry, and the one I received from Lofta featured a wrist module, finger sensor, and chest sensor – as shown above. It’s paired to your smartphone over Bluetooth before bed with data uploaded in the morning. Then, after a day or three, results will be reviewed by a physician with potential next steps provided… including a prescription for a CPAP machine, should the data support an apnea diagnosis.
It’s possible I (or you) could pay less by going thru insurance. But, for me, the convenience of the process was the primary motivation. Also, between copays for an office visit and the test itself, the out-of-pocket cost could be pretty close. Not to mention Lofta provided me with clinician notes and a beautiful, detailed receipt, which I’ve submitted to my insurance for partial reimbursement.
Assuming you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, what happens next? Given my results and my hope to have insurance cover more of the ongoing machine management, I ended up engaging a local pulmonologist, who put things in perspective and linked me up with a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company. But you can take your prescription to a DME like Aeroflow Sleep, on your own, if you want to engage insurance. OR simply buy direct from Lofta — either the machine itself or the many required accessories, as I’m doing… once again, for convenience. Although, given inflated insurance pricing coupled with routine Lofta sales, 25% off status discounts, Rakuten cash back, and partial reimbursement my math situation is favorable. Plus dealing with them is a joy compared to my dastardly DME.
All in all, Lofta has helped me navigate a cumbersome healthcare process with a gadget-friendly solution and solid customer service. And this $99 sale makes them all the more attractive.
It’s a loooong story… but I ended up firing my DME after three months and purchased a massively discounted machine direct from Lofta (thank you price match + 10%). I’m expecting a partial reimbursement and if/when that goes thru, my out-of-pocket will be less than the monthly rental fees would have been — with less hassle and oversight.
It’s also interesting (and sad) that prior physicians never sent me down this path — even as a slender athletic person, I frequently snored, didn’t sleep well, had bags under my eyes, etc. Talking decades. But no longer slender, things likely exacerbated!
Lastly, The reddit communities on CPAP and apnea are A+. And OSCAR is a rabbit hole. :)