How to Get a Sleep Study: A Step-by-Step Guide

How do you start the process of getting a sleep study?

A sleep study requires a clinician's order. The visit is typically with a primary care clinician, an internist, or a sleep medicine specialist.

During the visit, your clinician will ask about your symptoms — snoring, gasping, excessive daytime sleepiness, restless legs, unusual behaviors during sleep, or simply not feeling rested — and review your medical and medication history. Telehealth visits are well-suited for this initial evaluation for most sleep complaints.

You do not need a referral to see a sleep specialist directly, though some insurance plans require one. If your symptoms are straightforward, your primary care clinician can often order the study without involving a specialist.

Which type of sleep study will you need?

Your clinician determines which study is appropriate based on your symptoms and medical history 1Ref 1Kapur VK, Auckley DH, Chowdhuri S, et al. (2017).Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnostic Testing for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline.AASM guideline defining when home sleep apnea tests are appropriate versus in-lab polysomnography, including specific indications and contraindications for each study type.

Home sleep apnea test (HSAT): Suitable for straightforward suspected obstructive sleep apnea in people without complicating medical factors — such as significant cardiorespiratory disease, neuromuscular conditions, or suspected hypoventilation. A portable device is sent or given to you; you use it in your own bed for one or more nights.

In-lab polysomnogram (PSG): Used when narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, periodic limb movement disorder, or complex sleep apnea is suspected, or when a home test has been inconclusive 1Ref 1Kapur VK, Auckley DH, Chowdhuri S, et al. (2017).Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnostic Testing for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Clinical Practice Guideline.AASM guideline defining when home sleep apnea tests are appropriate versus in-lab polysomnography, including specific indications and contraindications for each study type. You spend a night at a sleep center while sensors monitor brain waves, eye movements, limb movements, breathing, oxygen, and heart rate.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): If narcolepsy or idiopathic hypersomnia is being evaluated, this daytime nap series is conducted the day after an overnight PSG.

What happens with prior authorization and scheduling?

For most insurance plans, a sleep study requires prior authorization. Your clinician's office submits a request to your insurer with documentation of your symptoms and medical necessity 2Ref 2Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2024).LCD — Polysomnography and Other Sleep Studies (L36902).Medicare documentation of medical necessity and prior authorization requirements for sleep study coverage. This typically takes a few business days to a week.

Once authorized, your clinician's office or the sleep center will contact you to schedule. Wait times for sleep centers vary by location — this is one reason home tests, when appropriate, are convenient: the device can often be arranged quickly.

When scheduling, confirm that the facility is in-network with your insurance plan.

What should you expect during the study itself?

For a home sleep test: A technician or clinician explains how to apply the device — sensors typically go around your chest, on a finger for oxygen measurement, and under the nose. You go to bed at your normal time and return the device the following morning.

For an in-lab PSG: You arrive at the sleep center in the early evening. A technician applies multiple sensors to your head, face, chest, and legs. You sleep in a private room while the equipment records data. Most people sleep well enough to provide a usable study.

Results are interpreted by a sleep medicine physician. Your clinician typically receives the report within a few business days to two weeks.

What happens after the sleep study?

Your clinician will review the results with you and explain what was found.

• If obstructive sleep apnea is confirmed, CPAP therapy is the most common initial treatment 3Ref 3National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2025).Sleep Apnea — What Is Sleep Apnea?.CPAP as the standard first-line treatment after confirmed sleep apnea diagnosis; overview of diagnosis and next steps. Your clinician or the sleep center will arrange for the equipment and setup.
• If the study is normal but symptoms persist, additional evaluation may be recommended.
• If narcolepsy or another complex condition is found, a sleep medicine specialist typically takes over ongoing management.
• If you are a child or adolescent, adult sleep centers are not typically equipped to evaluate children — a pediatric sleep medicine referral is usually needed.