Sleep study [Polysomnography] Scoring

Want to save costs on a per study basis?

Want to convert fixed costs to variable cost thus lowering overhead?

Want better reliability on quality and turnaround of your scored studies?

Want registered technicians scoring your studies with quality and consistency?

Scoring sleep studies can be done in a couple of ways:

Old school:

Scoring in-house with dedicated technician getting paid per hour or salary, with possible benefits
Dependent on in-house personal to keep up with volume
Dependent of paying for hourly or per study rate with limited reliability in case personal is sick or on leave
Dependent on technician trying to score a study while performing the study [ on the fly] and hoping no issues are missed and quality control is met
Making sure technicians (old and new) are updated and trained in the latest scoring rules regularly

New School:

Outsource on a per scored study basis
Entire team on call for reliability and timely turn around
Flat rate per study, thus only pay when you have studies to score, thus turning fixed overhead to variable
No need to pay for benefits or worry about time off coverage

Opus Teams for Scoring

There are many advantages to outsourcing your Polysomnography study scoring as discussed above… but there are also so many options on the internet of companies offering scoring services. What companies do you use? Opus’ recommendation is based on research, interviews and then deciding what would works best for your facility.

Opus has dealt with many of the scoring companies and we have found a few things that may come in handy. First most online sleep scoring companies are usually just a company of 1 person who is scoring on the side of their regular sleep tech job or a company of 2 and rarely 3. The issue of coverage and turnaround and long term reliability come into play. You can occasionally find a fly by night “company” charging $25/ study (usually not reliable, with one person at most be accredited [if that] or registered with a team of in house trained non registered scorers) to $70-80/ study (outsourced to scorers around north America via an online portal).

When Opus opens up sleep facilities or consults sleep centers we are exposed to many different vendors… and thus have seen the best and worst of them.

Over time we at Opus have put together and consulted with scoring companies that have been tested and utilized by Opus in there managed facilities for years. These teams only have RPSGTs on staff that score all studies, they are trained regularly with up to date CE. They have at least two to four techs available at any one time to score studies as teams appointed for each location. All technicians are in house, in other words, they come to the office to score studies for clients, they don’t remote access from their home or another site or wherever. We can then assure HIPPA compliance and high sleep internet access at all times. All teams will work also directly with the interpreting physician to make sure all items are scored and processed to their standard, [we provide a scoring questionnaire to the lab to customize the scoring if they want to alter or modify from AASM]. This is also why most of these companies will offer a free trial.

Rates

A sampling of our rates are listed below and are variable depending on the monthly volume of your sleep facility or group.

Between 1 and 100 studies per month $ 34/ study (depending on sleep equipment)
Between 101 and 300 studies per month $32.50 / study
Greater than 301 studies per month $30 / study
Home sleep studies $24/study

Studies are turned around in less than 48 hours and there are no long term contracts or agreements. If templated reports are to be filled out there will be additional small charge per study.

Complimentary setup and trial of 5 free scored studies. This allows you to get used to our teams and our team to get used to your studies and that also allows both parties to get used to each other’s work.

“Mr. Sarb Dhesi came to us with excellent references when the Oakland Sleep Center was just a gleam in our eyes. He walked us through the process of setting up a sleep center – from beds to software and office practices.

In what seemed like very little time, we had opened our doors and were seeing our first patients. His continued oversight and advice have been invaluable. He’s proved to be a knowledgeable and talented consultant with a drive to succeed and the ability to solve problems as they arise. He’s also got a great sense of humor.”

— Jack
Project Manager
Oakland Sleep Center

“We opened our first sleep center in North Florida in 2007 and this would not have been possible without the help and guidance of Mr. Sarb Dhesi. Mr. Dhesi worked with us in all aspects of preparation and opening of our sleep center. He and his team trained our staff, composed a policy and procedure manual, and offered direction in insurance contracting.

He was also able to leverage pricing of our diagnostic testing equipment from the manufacturer and save our company some much needed capital. Mr. Dhesi also set our location up with a web based software and scheduler that made our office run seamless. We have just opened our third lab in North Florida and each one has been based on the model that Mr. Dhesi and his team helped us to create. I would recommend Mr. Dhesi and his team for anyone who is opening a sleep disorder facility.”

— Brad
Owner
Sleep Solutions of North Florida

“I have been working with Opus and Mr. Sarb Dhesi now for the last 4 years as Medical Director of some of the sleep centers that they have helped establish.

Their knowledge of the business of sleep medicine has provided substantial returns on investment. Their services are second to none, from beginning to end in establishing turnkey operations. Right off the bat, capital was saved since they leveraged pricing on diagnostic and computer equipment given the strong relationships they have established in the community.;

They also have a very strong understanding of insurance reimbursements, fee schedules and negotiate at every step with third party payors to ensure we are reimbursed at the highest levels, They also works very closely with billing, administrative and technical staff to train and then ensure operations are run smoothly and efficiently and every regulation and standard is met, which alleviates stress and allows day to day staff to focus on their job and perform at their best.

As a result, the sleep centers are very successful and reputable in the community given not only high business but also clinical standards, since the clinical staff including myself can focus on what we do best – taking care of patients and their sleep issues A to Z.

I will continue to work with Opus and would recommend their services to anyone, whether it comes to opening a sleep center, surgery center, buying a medical building and anything in between!”

— H. Singh, M.D.
Sleep Specialist