Already a member or subscriber? Sign in now

Previous article
Assembling Your AI Toolkit in Family Medicine
Nov / Dec 2025
Next article
Better Together: What Physicians and Administrators Need From Each Other

Tips for Easing Prior Authorization for Sleep Studies

ADRIENNE PARAD, MD, FAAFP
LILI POON, DO

FPM. 2025;32(6):12-15.

Author disclosures: no relevant financial relationships.

This content conforms to AAFP criteria for CME.

With sleep apnea on the rise, more patients can benefit from sleep studies, and properly trained office staff can help minimize the risk of denials.

Dr. Parad is a medical director at Optum, where she oversees clinical review of medical documentation to assess medical necessity and ensure appropriate care delivery.

Dr. Poon is medical director for Humana's National Medicare Team.

Send comments to fpmedit@aafp.org, or add your comments to the article online.

Author disclosures: no relevant financial relationships.

  1. 1.Peppard PE, Young T, Barnet JH, Palta M, Hagen EW, Mae Hla K. Increased prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in adults. Am J Epidemiol. 2013;177(9):1006-1014.
  2. 2.Rising prevalence of sleep apnea in U.S. threatens public health. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Sept. 29, 2014. Accessed Sept. 15, 2025. https://aasm.org/rising-prevalence-of-sleep-apnea-in-u-s-threatens-public-health/
  3. 3.Sonmez I, Vo Dupuy A, Yu KS, Cronin J, Yee J, Azarbarzin A. Unmasking obstructive sleep apnea: estimated prevalence and impact in the United States. Respir Med. 2025;248:108348.
  4. 4.Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep. 1991;14(6):540-545.
  5. 5.Ancoli-Israel S, Czeisler CA, George CFP, Guilleminault C, Pack AI. Expert Panel Recommendations: Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Safety. Presented to: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Jan. 14, 2008. Accessed Sept. 19, 2025. https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/docs/Sleep-MEP-Panel-Recommendations-508.pdf
Previous article
Assembling Your AI Toolkit in Family Medicine
Nov / Dec 2025
Next article
Better Together: What Physicians and Administrators Need From Each Other

Latest issue

May / June 2026

May / June 2026

Copyright © 2026 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

This content is owned by the AAFP. A person viewing it online may make one printout of the material and may use that printout only for his or her personal, non-commercial reference. This material may not otherwise be downloaded, copied, printed, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any medium, whether now known or later invented, except as authorized in writing by the AAFP. See permissions for copyright questions and/or permission requests.