Question:
Is sleep apnea considered life threatening by ins. co.'s?

I meet all of my insurance company's criteria except they say that my obstruted sleep apnea is not life threatening. Therefore they have denied me twice on those grounds. I have a c-pap mask that helps, but it is not a cure. Does the medical field think sleep apnea is life threatening?    — kevin F. (posted on January 3, 2000)

January 3, 2000
I have severe sleep apnea which means it is life threatening, in fact the sleep specialist said i should have been dead long ago. I sleep with my cpap set at 10 and i believe that 10 and over is considered severe. Did the Ins. company get a copy of your sleep study form the specialist? John Candy died from sleep apnea and i have two friends from Ohio and Minnesota that also died from sleep apnea.
   — Julie P.

January 3, 2000
It can be life threatning depending on how long you've had it and how severe. I'm only 29 and have developed heart problems and multilple health problems simply from sleep apnea. I think insurance companys take it pretty seriously. Mine does.
   — jennifer G.

January 3, 2000
My sleep apnea was at over 125 episodes per hour. MY DR. figured out that when I was asleep-which wasn't often-i was not breathing for about 25-30min of each hour...if thats not life threatening, what is? I did c-pap as well (9cm)and it helped a lot but what bondage at such a young age! When your brain is not getting enough O2 it raises your bloodpressure to compensate-this leaves you at high risk of stroke or heart attack. Fatigue and sleep deprevation have been linked to fatal auto accidents etc. etc. Even if they dont consider it life threatening it can lead to many other health complications that they will be paying for you to receive treatment for down the road. And wt loss is a known cure for most forms of sleep apnea. six months and 100lbs post op my sleep apnea was completely gone!!!!! Purhaps if you or your dr. make this argument with them it might help. i had no imminently life threatening co-morbitities but my health problems (gynecological probs/high blood pressure/early osteoarthritis/apnea etc.) were costing them money and it was only going to get worse. hope the info helps.
   — anita A.

January 3, 2000
Obstructive sleep apnea is considered a FATAL breathing disroder, not a sleep disorder. Serious business. I was also at 125 per hour, CPAP at 15. I have no CPAP now! See a pulmonologist to get this documented.
   — vitalady

January 3, 2000
Absolutely, without question, sleep apnea can be fatal. There are studies that contribute more highway fatalities per year to sleep apnea than drunk driving! The incidence of heart attack and stroke is higher in the population who experience sleep apnea. Hypertension can be a direct result of sleep apnea. Your insurance company needs a wake-up call (LOL!). Michelle's advice is excellent, visit a pulmonologist to get help with your insurance company. I had sleep apnea for about 2 years before my surgery. I didn't seek medical attention for it, I was too embarassed! (You'd think as an RN I'd know better). I did have a sleep study done as a part of my pre-op evaluation, though, and was diagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea. I had no problem with insurance approval (thank God!) and had my surgery at the end of July. My apnea has been gone since about day 10 post-op! I feel so much better now, I could cry with relief, and often do. Good luck with your insurance company. Jaye Carl, open proximal RNY 7-29-99, 86 pounds gone forever!
   — Jaye C.