Oral appliances are an increasingly popular alternative therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While CPAP is the gold standard therapy for OSA, some patients find they cannot tolerate the airflow and/or a mask while sleeping. An oral appliance can be a viable therapy for some of these patients, including Medicare patients.
Medicare is available to Americans who are 65 and older or those with disabilities. Red Bank, NJ-based dentist Denise DiBona, DDS, was recently accepted as a Medicare provider for sleep appliances after starting the process in December. “Patients have been waiting for the rep tape to end, and now my senior patients are ecstatic and excited to get the treatment they need,” DiBona says in a release.
“I’m overjoyed to be offering this new service because more people can be helped with their sleep apnea, which is connected to other health risks such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes and, more,” Dr. DiBona says. “Sleep apnea also makes people feel constantly sleepy and can cause memory and concentration issues.”
To find a dentist who treats OSA in your area, use the “Find a Dentist” tool on the website of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine website. If you are a Medicare patient, be sure to ask if the dentist has experience filing Medicare claims prior to making an appointment.
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