NYCTA Sleep Health and Wellness Program
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Sleep Apnea Testing & Treatment Made Easy!
For almost a year, Watermark Medical has worked with your medical plan to deliver a
confidential and voluntary Sleep Health and Wellness Program designed to diagnose and treat sleep disorders. This program is available to NYC Transit workers, spouses/domestic partners, and dependents, at least age 18, enrolled in the Aetna medical plan. The services provided by Watermark Medical are at
no cost to you except for standard physician visit co-pays.
Watermark Medical's program is designed to eliminate the hassle of:
- Finding a sleep physician
- Obtaining your own prescriptions
- Dealing with multiple providers while completing the MTA required Sleep Apnea testing and treatment
- Obtaining PAP compliance reporting
Sleep Health & Wellness Program
Watermark Medical is the nation's largest and most innovative and independent sleep health company. Watermark Medical being a health care provider follows all HIPAA rules, regulations and laws assuring all participation and results in the sleep program are confidential.
On-line Sleep Assessment
- Watermark Medical's 10 minute, confidential sleep health assessment can help identify if you are "at risk" for sleep disorders
- Accessible on your computer, smart phone, tablet or during any of the worksite screening events offered by Watermark Medical
Sleep Advocates
- If your sleep assessment results state you are at high risk for sleep apnea, WE WILL CONTACT YOU within 48 hours to review your results, explain the program and help you choose a local Watermark Medical sleep physician in network with Aetna
- Watermark Medical will obtain any necessary prescriptions and required documents for your home sleep test
- Accessible between 8AM and 7PM EST to consult with you regarding your specific sleep challenges
- Provide ongoing training, outreach and management of the home sleep testing process
Sleep Physicians
- Choose from a group of Watermark Medical local board-certified sleep physicians who are in network with Aetna
- The sleep physician will be involved in your diagnosis, treatment and on-going care
- Prompt appointment availability, usually within 5-10 days, following the completion and return of the home sleep test to Watermark Medical
Home Sleep Test (HST)
PAP Therapy
Compliance Reporting
- Watermark Medical will provide continued PAP therapy monitoring for the life of the program
- Watermark Medical also provides telephonic follow-up sleep health advocacy, and personal compliance report delivery upon request
OHS/MAC Referred You to Take a Home Sleep Test
OHS/MAC has indicated you are "at risk" for Sleep Apnea and you need to take a home sleep test. The following steps should be taken:
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You can follow the Watermark Medical standard process by taking the on-line sleep assessment
OR
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Request OHS/MAC to fax the following forms to Watermark Medical at 1.855.784.9383:
- HIPAA release form
- MAC medical evaluation questionnaire
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) referral form
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A Watermark Medical sleep advocate will then contact you within 2 business days and guide you through the process step-by-step.
How Does It Work!
- Complete the ten-minute on-line sleep assessment to identify if you are "at risk" for Sleep Apnea, insomnia, or other sleep disorders
- If you screen "at risk" for Sleep Apnea, a sleep advocate will:
- Call you within 2 business days to review your results with you
- Help you choose a local board-certified sleep physician
- Review the steps of the sleep program with you
- Obtain a prescription for a home sleep test (HST), usually within 3-5 days
- Once the HST prescription is obtained the sleep advocate will contact you to:
- Schedule delivery of the HST
- Review how to use the HST device
- Send the HST service to your home usually within 2 business days
- Remind you to make an appointment with your chosen sleep physician
- Once the test has been completed you will return the device in the postage paid envelope provided by Watermark Medical
- Within 5 business days Watermark Medical will contact you to:
- Inform you that the sleep physician has reviewed your sleep study results
- Confirm that you make an appointment with your chosen sleep physician
- During your consultation with the sleep physician, you will discuss your sleep study results and possible treatment options which may include further clinical evaluation
- If clinically appropriate and usually within 3-5 business days of your appointment, Watermark Medical will receive a prescription for your PAP therapy from the sleep physician
- Once the prescription for PAP therapy is received, Watermark Medical will:
- Contact you to schedule an appointment to have the PAP equipment delivered to your home by a respiratory therapist
- Upon delivery of the PAP equipment the respiratory therapist will:
- Provide instruction on the proper use and maintenance of the PAP equipment and supplies
- Provide instruction for reordering PAP supplies
- Provide instruction on the requirements for PAP compliance
- Within one week of PAP delivery, a Watermark Medical respiratory therapist or sleep advocate will complete a follow up call to determine how you are complying with your PAP therapy
- Your initial and ongoing compliance with PAP therapy is continually monitored via wireless connection to your therapy device:
- If you are compliant, you will not receive further contact until eligible for new supplies or replaceable parts associated with your therapy
- If you are having difficulty complying with your PAP therapy, Watermark Medical will reach out to you by phone or email to help you make adjustments to your therapy
- Currently, MTA defines compliance with therapy as:
- 70% of the time in a consecutive 30-day period for at least 4 hours each day
ARES™ Home Sleep Test
Next-generation device
ARES™ was designed to be used from the comfort of home, in order to capture the most accurate information about a patient’s actual sleeping patterns. ARES™ is worn on the forehead and accommodates all sleep positions. Simple, clear audio and visual indicators promote reliable data capture by making it easy for patients to know when ARES™ needs adjustment.
ARES™sophisticated sensors in a single, small device
ARES™stores up to three nights of nocturnal data. Comfortable and designed to be worn in all sleep positions, ARES™ was created to be worn at home, where it is easier to gather an accurate profile of the patient’s breathing and sleep. Convenient audio and visual indicators let the patient know when ARES™ needs adjustment, increasing reliability of data capture.
Watermark Medical Home Sleep Testing Platform
- Home sleep testing equipment meeting AASM OCST accreditation standards
- Single or multiple night recording
- Secure/Private Cloud based processing of study data
- Technical data quality analysis and editing by Watermark Medical technologist
- Optional interpretation by Watermark Medical national network of Board Certified Sleep Physicians
- Interpreted sleep report sent back to physician within in 48 business hours from the date of return
Validated Home Sleep Test Technology
- Validated in 23 peer reviewed publications
- Simple patient set-up
- Acquires 9 different bio-metric data points and measurements of sleep data
- Voice prompted instructions and alerts
PAP Equipment
PAP
Positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the 'gold standard' in the treatment for sleep disordered breathing (including obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome). It consists of a small pump that generates gently pressurized air that attaches to a small, comfortable nose or face mask. The gentle air is delivered to you while you sleep, keeping the airway open and preventing collapse, to allow for more restful sleep and optimal oxygen delivery.
PAP Mask Options:
Nasal
A nasal mask covers the bridge of nose and rests against the upper lip.
Full Face Mask
A full-face mask covers both the nose and the mouth and is usually used by those that breath mostly through their mouth.
Nasal Pillow Mask
A nasal pillow mask rests around and slightly within the nostrils of your nose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are my results and/or health information shared with my employer, the union, or any other entity?
No. All of your health information is strictly confidential. Under the HIPAA laws Watermark Medical cannot share your health information with anyone or entity without your consent.
Q. How is my health information or medical record protected by HIPAA?
Covered entities must protect the privacy of individuals' health records. "Covered entities" include most health plans, most health care providers, and health care clearinghouses. Covered entities are required by law to follow The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and must:
- Install safeguards to protect your health information
- Reasonably limit uses and disclosures to the minimum necessary to accomplish their intended purpose
- Have agreements in place with their contractors and others who perform functions or activities on their behalf. These agreements are to ensure that these contractors (referred to as "business associates") only use and disclose your health information properly and safeguard it appropriately
- Have procedures in place to limit who can view and access your health information as well as implement training programs for employees about how to protect your health information
- Have procedures in place to limit who can view and access your health information as well as implement training programs for employees about how to protect your health information
To learn more about how HIPAA protects your health information, visit the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights.
Q. How do I take the on-line sleep disorder assessment?
Q. What if my information is not recognized within the sleep disorder assessment?
Contact your benefits department.
Q. How much will this cost me?
The sleep disorder assessment, home sleep test, insomnia program, PAP equipment, and supplies are 100% covered under your insurance plan. Standard copays apply for physician visits as indicated on your medical card.
Q. Is it mandatory for me to complete the sleep disorder assessment or follow through on the recommendations from the assessment? Can I opt out of the program at any time?
The Sleep Health and Wellness Benefit is strictly a confidential and voluntary program. Your participation in this program is not mandatory. However, please keep in mind that your sleep health is very important to your overall wellness. If you do not want to participate in this program, please inform your general doctor of any sleep difficulties you may be having.
You may opt out of the program at any time.
You may opt out of the program at any time.
Q. If I take the sleep disorder assessment will I automatically be enrolled in the recommended clinical pathway?
No. You will have to elect to participate in the recommended clinical pathway.
Q. If I am at high risk for Obstructive Sleep Apnea or have a significant health issue, but elect not to participate in the program, to whom does this information get communicate to?
Your progress throughout the program is captured in Watermark Medical's database. Individual results are not shared outside of the treating entities, except for a primary care physician, upon member's request. Your participation is voluntary and will not affect employment status.
Q. Can my spouse participate in the Sleep Health and Wellness Program?
Yes, your spouse is welcome to partake in this sleep health wellness program, provided they are an eligible member under in the Aetna plan offered by NYCTA.
Q. Can my dependents over the age of 18 participate in the Sleep Health and Wellness Program?
Yes, your dependents over the age of 18 are welcome to partake in this sleep health wellness program, provided they are an eligible member under in the Aetna plan offered by NYCTA.
Q. Can my children participate in the Sleep Health and Wellness Program?
Children (under 18 years) are not candidates for this program.
Q. What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)?
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.
Q. What is insomnia?
Insomnia can be caused by numerous things like age, medication, genetics, chemical imbalances, and lifestyle. Regardless of the cause, it is not uncommon for people with insomnia to have more active brains when they are trying to sleep. It manifests as the inability to fall asleep, stay asleep, or early morning awakening resulting in not feeling well rested and alert during the day.
Q. What is Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)?
Restless legs syndrome can be caused by numerous factors, including medication, age, and chemical imbalances.
Q. What are the possible treatments for OSA?
Treatments for Sleep Apnea typically target the root cause- which is the collapse of the airway during sleep. One of the most common and effective treatments is called "positive airway pressure" (PAP) and entails the delivery of a gentle amount of air through the nose and/or mouth via a comfortable mask while you sleep.
Q. What are the possible treatments for insomnia?
Insomnia treatment is highly individualized. It is not uncommon for people with insomnia to have more active brains when they are trying to sleep. One of the most common and effective treatments is called "cognitive behavioral treatment" (CBT) and targets your thoughts and behaviors surrounding sleep so as to train for your brain to be sleepy at bedtime.
