www.sleepcenters.org Use Policy
Terms and Conditions
The only permitted uses of Sleepcenters.org are for (i) the personal convenience
of individual members of the general public to facilitate quick access to information
about facilities with which they may be consulting regarding services, (ii) center/laboratory
staff to view their facility’s listings and (iii) medical personnel for professional
purposes such as patient referrals.
The AASM reserves the right to monitor all use of this Web site for compliance with
the terms and conditions above. Neither Sleepcenters.org nor any of its data, listings
or other constituent elements may be downloaded, republished, resold, duplicated
or "scraped", in whole or in part, for any purpose other than the uses
permitted above.
Disclaimer of Warranties and Liabilities
The AASM undertakes reasonable efforts to keep the information contained in Sleepcenters.org
accurate. However, the AASM makes no representations or warranties of any nature
with respect to the information obtained through this Web site including, without
limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for any particular
purpose. The material included in this Web site is for informational purposes only.
The AASM shall not be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance on
the information obtained from this site.
Accredited sleep disorders centers and/or sleep related breathing laboratory are
invited to become a center member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Membership
is separate from accreditation. It is also voluntary. All of the facilities listed
in this site are AASM center members.
A sleep center can help detect and treat any sleep disorder that may trouble you.
A sleep center may be organized in the following three ways:
- hospital based
- university based
-
privately owned or "freestanding"
The AASM sets strict rules for centers and labs to follow. The mission of the AASM
is to assure the highest quality of care for patients. The AASM accredits two types
of sleep disorders medical facilities. Both types of operations must meet the same
high standards.
1. Sleep Disorders Centers
A center must provide testing and treatment for all sleep disorders.
2. Laboratories for Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders
The focus of a laboratory is on sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep
apnea. For other sleep disorders, you may be referred to a sleep disorders center.
STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION
Standards that the facilities have to meet in order to receive accreditation from
the AASM include:
- Their medical director must be a physician who has been licensed by the state.
He or she must have a proven expertise in sleep disorders medicine. This person
is in charge of the overall patient care for the program.
- They must have on staff a sleep specialist who has been board certified in sleep medicine.
- Their testing rooms must provide for the privacy, comfort and security of patients.
- All staff must continue to take classes on an annual basis.
This will further their working knowledge of current technology and procedures.
- All fees and billing must comply with both federal and state regulations.
- They have to adhere to all federal, state, and local regulations for the operation
of a medical practice.
- They also must follow the American Medical Association's Code of Medical Ethics.
The Accreditation Committee is made up of the National Chair and nine other sleep
specialists from across the U.S. A site visit must prove to the Committee and the
AASM Board of Directors that a facility meets all of the standards. If this is the
case, then full accreditation is granted for five years.
The cost that you pay for services at a sleep center may vary from one site to another.
It may also vary from one part of the country to another. An insurance policy that
covers outpatient tests such as an x-ray or an EEG should also cover an overnight
sleep study. Medicaid and Medicare may have more rigid policies of coverage. Many
insurance providers require that a site be accredited before they will cover expenses
for sleep services.
Click on your state on the U.S. map to find a center that can help put you on the
path to better sleep.
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