Revolutionizing OSA Detection with At-Home Diagnostics

Updated on January 20, 2025

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 70% of adults report experiencing insufficient sleep at least once a month. A significant number of individuals struggling with insufficient sleep may have undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as this condition remains one of the most underdiagnosed yet life-altering health conditions, with 80% to 90% of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs), including OSA, going unrecognized and untreated. 

One reason OSA remains undertreated is that traditional diagnostic methods, such as in-lab polysomnography, are often prohibitively expensive and inconvenient. This has left millions of Americans, particularly those who are uninsured or underserved, without the necessary care.

Why Traditional Testing Methods Fall Short

In-lab sleep studies, or polysomnography (PSG), cost between $2,000 and $6,000, depending on location and insurance coverage. For uninsured patients, these costs—combined with facility fees—can make testing prohibitively expensive. Many patients also face logistical barriers, such as traveling to a sleep lab, spending the night in an unfamiliar environment, and waiting months for an appointment.

These hurdles explain why sleep assessments are often excluded from routine health check-ups. Only 66% of physicians reportedly discuss sleep habits during patient visits. Additionally, misconceptions about sleep disorders persist. Many individuals believe conditions like OSA will resolve on their own, not realizing the severe health consequences of leaving such issues untreated.

OSA is linked to a wide range of health risks, including high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, depression, and even certain cancers. Beyond physical health, untreated OSA can lead to cognitive impairments, poor academic performance, and diminished quality of life. 

People need to understand that SRBDs, especially sleep apnea, will not simply ‘go away’ on their own. These are conditions that have a direct impact on patients’ health. And in order to access the proper treatment, they first need access to a clear and reliable diagnosis.

Benefits of At-Home Diagnostics

At-home diagnostic technology is changing the game for sleep health, offering a practical and affordable alternative to traditional methods. 

  • Accessibility and Affordability: By eliminating the need for overnight lab visits, at-home tech makes diagnostics accessible to underserved populations. The lower costs open the door for millions of uninsured or financially constrained patients to access vital sleep health assessments.
  • Convenience and Comfort: Patients can complete the diagnostic process from the comfort of their homes, reducing the stress and inconvenience associated with in-lab testing.
  • Comprehensive Care: This technology offers seamless connections for test interpretation, diagnosis, and telemedicine consultations with board-certified sleep physicians, ensuring that patients receive not only accurate results but also actionable treatment plans.

Addressing Misconceptions About Sleep Health

One major barrier to diagnosis is the widespread misunderstanding of sleep disorders’ impact on overall health. OSA is a chronic condition in which breathing stops intermittently, often leading to drops in blood oxygen levels and a multitude of serious health threats. OSA disrupts and weakens respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, excretory, nervous, and even reproductive systems.  

Unlike snoring, sleep apnea is linked to severe health risks. Too many patients dismiss symptoms like snoring, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating as minor inconveniences, unaware of the numerous and serious health risks linked to untreated OSA. 

For instance, the American Sleep Apnea Association reports that OSA-related heart complications contribute to 38,000 deaths annually in the country. Public education is essential to dispel these misconceptions and encourage individuals to seek timely intervention.

Another misconception is that sleep testing must be an expensive and complex process. Innovative tools are proving that high-quality diagnostics can be both accessible and user-friendly. With 30% to 50% of consumers now embracing at-home health monitoring tools, the shift toward patient-centered care is gaining momentum.

Eliminating Barriers, Empowering Patients

At-home diagnostics and similar technologies represent a significant step forward in democratizing healthcare. By addressing the cost, convenience, and accessibility challenges of traditional sleep studies, at-home diagnostics are empowering patients to take control of their health.

Patients deserve diagnostic tools that inform and empower their lives, not disrupt them. The goal should be to ensure that every patient—regardless of financial or geographic barriers—can access the care they need to achieve better sleep and, ultimately, better health.

R. Kirk Huntsman
Chairman, CEO and Co-founder at Vivos Therapeutics |  + posts

R. Kirk Huntsman, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Vivos Therapeutics, is a distinguished leader in the dental and healthcare industries, renowned for founding and growing successful dental service organizations (DSOs). In 1995, he founded Dental One, expanding it to over 165 practices across 15 states before its sale in 2008. He later led ReachOut Healthcare America, a Morgan Stanley Private Equity portfolio company, and established both Xenith Practices and Ortho Ventures. Since 2016, Kirk has served as CEO and chairman of Vivos, driving advancements in dental technology. As a founding member of the Association of Dental Support Organizations (ADSO), he continues to shape the industry's future. For more about Vivos Therapeutics visit https://vivos.com/