Sleep FAQs

A sleep study involves staying overnight in a sleep investigation unit. On the day of the sleep study, the following are important:

• Keep to your normal routine. This means that if you usually drink coffee or alcohol in the evenings, you should do so on the study night.
• Take your usual prescribed medicines, unless your doctor advises you otherwise, bring them with you.
• Try not to have a nap on the day of your study
• Wash your hair and shower on the evening of your study as this will remove oils and dead skin which will improve the quality of the recordings. Avoid using hair conditioner, hair styling products and face moisturizers.
• Bring your sleep wear and toiletries with you so that your routine is kept as close to normal as possible. If you have a favourite pillow, bring it with you.

There are two sets of fees associated with your overnight sleep study:

1.      Your hospital bed fee and

2.      The fee associated with the sleep study recording, analysis by the laboratory and reporting by a qualified Sleep Physician.

Most of the costs are covered by Medicare and Private Health Funds, however there may be some out of pocket expenses depending on your insurer and level of cover.

For privately insured patients

1.      The hospital bed fee will be sent directly to your Private Health Fund.  Please call your fund to determine if there is an excess or co‑payment associated with in-hospital services. 

2.      The sleep study fee is from Respiratory & Sleep Specialists. In most cases this account will be sent directly to your Private Health Fund and no gap will be required to be paid. Please note some funds will not accept this method of payment for medical care so please check with your fund to ensure you qualify for NO GAP claims.

Please note that "out of pocket expenses, excess or co-payment" in relation to in-hospital services, relates only to the hospital bed fee. There may be a gap payment related to the sleep study itself. Please ensure you check with your fund to gain this information. Night staff are unlikely to be able to answer questions regarding out of pocket expenses.

For uninsured or self-insured patients

1.      Please call the hospital (see table overleaf) to confirm the exact cost of the bed fee, payable to the hospital prior to or on admission.

2.      The sleep study fee is claimable on Medicare with a gap payment to be paid by you to Queensland Respiratory Laboratory prior to admission.

For patients covered by Department of Veterans Affairs

Eligible veterans and eligible dependants are entitled to health care services at DVA expense. If you are covered by the Department of Veteran Affairs, please ensure you have your DVA card with you when you are admitted for your sleep study.

ACCOUNT PAYMENTS

If you DO have an excess or co-payment for the hospital bed fee, it is important that you pay this prior to or on admission.  A Health Insurance Fund check will be carried out prior to your admission and you will be informed of any Hospital excess or co-payment that you will be liable for. You can pay your account by credit card at this stage if you wish; otherwise, you can pay your account on admission.

Without this payment, your admission will be cancelled and rescheduled after we have received payment. Please ensure you have a valid Visa/Mastercard or cheque/money order as we do not accept cash as a security measure at night. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

If you DO have a gap fee for your sleep study as an uninsured patient, payment is required prior to or on admission with a Visa/Mastercard or cheque/money order to Queensland Respiratory Laboratory. Please call us on (07) 3870 2144 or 1800 155 225 to confirm the exact fee.

CANCELLATION FEE

Please call to confirm your appointment at least two days prior to your sleep study or give as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend so someone else may take your place. Failure to do so will result in a cancellation fee of 100.00.