I asked my 75-year-old dad when he first heard that snoring was a problem. He chuckled and said that it was probably only 5 years ago that snoring ceased being a colorful affectation and was transformed into a medical problem.

Audiences no doubt howled with laughter in 1937 when the seven dwarves in Snow White bellowed their distinctive snores. Today, the dwarves might hook up their CPAP machines, finally get a good night’s rest, and be all the more productive back at the diamond mine.

In fact, snoring and the apnea that often accompanies it were always a problem, but sometimes it takes a while to realize it. My dad agreed and quickly made the analogy that the thought of me putting on a bicycle helmet as a kid never occurred to him. The untethered “port-a-crib” also seemed like the perfect thing to transport me and my sister on the family road trip to Yellowstone. You get the picture.

According to www.medicinenet.com, 95% of Americans have difficulty sleeping at some time in their lives. Respondents to Dealer/ Provider’s May 2004 survey backed this up by naming sleep therapy as the fastest-growing segment of the respiratory market.

All these statistics went beyond mere professional curiosity when my own 6-year-old daughter was recommended for a sleep study. Doctors were concerned about her “generous” tonsils and adenoids and wanted to see if her sleep was affected. Before the hotel-based study took place (she hated it and yes, she has mild apnea), I naturally inquired about home sleep studies. I quickly found that my insurance did not pay for them despite the fact that home studies could be more cost-effective in many cases.

A quick review of past articles in Dealer/Provider reveals a debate going back more than 6 years. An October 2000 article, “Wake Up and Smell the Profits,” by Mark M. Deutsch (check out the free archives at www.hhcdealer.com for the full article) points out that the home sleep study business requires average start-up costs of $20,000. However, Deutsch concludes that if you invest in the best equipment and education, home sleep studies can be an excellent revenue source.

A July/August 2004 article in sister magazine Sleep Review, The Journal for Sleep Specialists (“Advantages of Home Testing”) notes that testing for sleep disorders at home can provide much needed services for people who otherwise would go untreated (such as the elderly and morbidly obese).

As providers adapt to the needs of an aging and obese clientele, the health care legislative climate will continue to evolve and find new ways to rein in costs while maintaining medical excellence. The good news is that home care is a huge piece of that puzzle. Helping legislators put together that puzzle will be the real challenge.

Greg Thompson
gthompson@medpubs.com

In an effort to arm you for the legislative battles ahead, Dealer/Provider has been confirming details for our second annual “Grassroots Central.” Grassroots Central will be on the trade show floor at Medtrade Orlando and is free to all attendees. If you are planning your schedule, don’t miss the following events: October 26 @ 2 pm: Legislative update from Cara C. Bachenheimer, JD, vice president of government relations for Invacare. October 26 @ 3 pm: Bush or Kerry: Who Is Better for Home Care? John E. Gallagher, vice president of government relations for Van G. Miller & Associates will moderate this provocative yet civil panel discussion. October 26 @ 4 pm: Enjoy refreshments at our VGM-sponsored Grassroots Central reception. October 27 @ 2 pm: Succeeding in a Competitive Bidding Environment: A Panel Discussion. October 27 @ 3 pm: Legislative update from AAHomecare Chairman Tim Pontius, RRT.