Sleep Better. Be Healthy This Summer!

Sleep Better. Be Healthy This Summer!

Free Virtual CPAP User Support Group Set for Wednesday, July 2 from 7 – 8 pm (ET)

Travel Tips & FAQ Corner 

The July 2 edition of ‘CPAP Talk-Live!’ – the unique monthly sleep apnea virtual support group – (Wednesday, July 2 from 7 – 8 pm Eastern Time) will have two interesting components:

“Open Mic Night” 

 Anyone who has (or thinks they have) sleep disordered breathing is encouraged to post their questions on Facebook, or, if they prefer anonymity, post questions using the cpaptalklive.com form. They can also call in during the live session hosted by National Sleep Therapy President and co-founder Eric Cohen.

Traveling, Camping, or RV’ing it? Don’t leave your CPAP therapy behind!

“Focus on Camping & Travel for CPAP Patients” -- You can take along your CPAP machine, but that can be cumbersome. New technologies make it easier to bring along your CPAP for better sleep whether you’ll be driving,, camping, boating or flying. You may also want a travel bag that neatly packs the machine, mask, batteries, converter, hoses, etc.

CPAP Tips When Going by Plane

If you’ll be taking a longer plane ride, there are several steps you’ll need to know if you’re using your device on the plane.

What you should bring -- Find out what you should bring if traveling or camping.

All are welcome to join the session on Wednesday, July 2, from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET). Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# . The innovative support group sessions, offered as a community service by National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com). If you prefer, send your questions in advance either via Facebook or use the cpaptalklive.com form. 

Virtual Support Group Members Share Tips & Tricks For Living With CPAP

40 Participants in Monthly Session Sponsored by National Sleep Therapy 

(Issued June 2014) -- “Keep your mouth shut”, “Loosen up a bit,” and “Cheat as much as you can” were among the ‘10 Tips and Tricks‘ shared by a sleep expert during the recent monthly virtual support group ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ (www.cpaptalklive), a community service of National Sleep Therapy.

Some 40 people from nine states who suffer from sleep apnea participated in the pioneering session designed to improve CPAP efficacy and help users gain a better night’s sleep. CPAP machines (pronounced see-pap, an acronym for continuous positive airway pressure) use gentle airflow to help keep airways open for uninterrupted sleep. In recent years, many workplace and highway accidents have been traced to sleep-deprived individuals. Many may not be aware that they have sleep apnea.

Following the session, one participant posted, “Your company has helped me immensely and I thank you for these sessions and for your assistance.”

Session moderator Eric Cohen, President and co-founder of National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com), was joined by NST clinicians, Liz St. John, a Respiratory Therapist (RT) based in North Carolina, and Jody O'Farrell, a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) who is based at NST’s Maine office. The next ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ session will be on Wednesday, July 2, from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET)

Cohen’s advice to ‘Keep your mouth shut” was a humorous way to remind CPAP users that they can improve compliance by using a different style mask, a chin strap or heated humidification . “Loosening up a bit” reminded users not to wear their mask too tight and to consider using special pads if marks or sores appear. His tip “Cheat as much as you can” offered ideas on improving comfort, mainly for new users.

While some 18 million Americans have sleep disordered breathing, less than a quarter have been diagnosed, so most sufferers are not aware they have sleep apnea. Two common symptoms are snoring and chronic fatigue. CPAP is the first treatment choice and the most widely used for effective nonsurgical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.

‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ conference calls – free and open to all -- are held on the first Wednesday of each month. All are welcome to join the next session Wednesday, July 2, from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET). Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187# . The innovative support group sessions, offered as a community service by National Sleep Therapy (NST) (www.nstherapy.com).

Snoring and chronic fatigue can be strong indicators of sleep apnea and should be evaluated by a health professional. Left untreated, symptoms of sleep apnea can include excessive sleepiness during the day, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke or depression. Fatigue can lead to highway and workplace accidents.

To listen to the entire recording, visit National Sleep Therapy's YouTube channel.

By Stanley Hurwitz  / (508) 269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com

Medical Billing & Audit Specialist (Concord)

National Sleep Therapy is looking for a Medical Billing and Audit Specialist to assist us at our Concord, NH location. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Identifying contractual discrepancies and rectification.
• Reviewing and properly submitting denied claims for redeterminations and resolutions.
• Assuring correct and accurate medical reimbursement is calculated.
• Submitting written formal appeals based on account analysis and contract review.

Skills and experience required:

• 2 + years experience working in medical billing setting.
• Experience in both commercial (insurance) and government (Medicare and Medicaid).
• Working knowledge of CMS rules and regulations related to billing and compliance.
• Experience utilizing electronic billing system.
• Understanding of insurance terms, contract language including HMO, PPO and percentage of charges and fee schedules.
• Thorough knowledge of auditing claims and applying knowledge.
• Strong knowledge of appeal guidelines specific to individual insurances.
• Understanding of pricing and replacement of supplies and devices.
• Knowledge of Brightree and/or Remit Data a plus.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Superior multi-tasking and time management skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Reliable transportation.

Compensation: Based on experience level

Interested candidates should email careers@nstherapy.com with their resume (with MC in subject) and references.

Job Opportunity: Medical Cash Posting Associate

National Sleep Therapy, is looking for a Medical Cash Posting Associate to assist us at our Concord, NH location. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Posting patient and 3rd party payments, insurance write-offs, charge adjustments, discounts, deductibles, co-payments and non-covered charges. 
• Balancing all payments posted daily with the bank deposits. 
• Processing daily deposits.
• Copying deposit batches for scanning. 
• Printing daily system generated reports. 
• Determining overpayments from patients and 3rd party payers. 
• Recognizing and reporting consistent trends in revenue recognition from payments received by 3rd party payers. 
• Recognizing and reporting short payments from insurance carriers based on contracted rates and previous payment history. 
• Maintaining a high level of productivity through speed and accuracy. 
• Posting ERN's from system. 
• Pulling EFT's and EOB's from other websites for posting application. 
• Working and applying Payment on Account report. 
• Processing recoups and refund review.

Skills and experience required: 

• 2+ years relevant experience in medical payment posting and accounting in the medical industry. 
• Superior multi-tasking and time management skills in a fast-paced environment. 
• Knowledge of Brightree a plus 
• Reliable transportation.

Interested candidates should email careers@nstherapy.com with their resume (with MC in subject) and references.

Growing National Sleep Therapy Adds Three To Staff

Jeannette Veras 

CONCORD, NH & SCARBOROUGH, MAINE -- To meet the demand of servicing people afflicted with sleep apnea, National Sleep Therapy (www.nstherapy.com ), a New England-based provider of equipment to help people sleep, has added three new staff members at its Concord, NH, and Scarborough, Maine, offices. The announcement was made by NST President Eric Cohen.

In Concord, NH, Beth Gray, a resident of Chichester, NH, is coordinating the company’s Medicare compliance and patient collections department, and billing veteran Jeannette Veras (in photo) of Lawrence, MA, has joined NST’s expanding insurance liaison program team.

Jonathan Nelson of Canterbury, NH, has joined National Sleep Therapy’s Healthy Advantage, an automatic resupply program that ensures patients receive their CPAP supplies in a timely manner. A CPAP machine gently blows air to help keep the airway open during sleep.

National Sleep Therapy works with cardiologists and pulmonologists who refer sleep apnea patients to them following sleep tests. NST specializes in state-of-the-art CPAP devices and related supplies that help patients attain better health and an improved quality of life through more restful sleep. An estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, Most have not yet been diagnosed.

Also symbolic of NST’s growth, earlier this year, NST acquired Gaylord Sleep Medicine Equipment of Connecticut, one of Connecticut’s leading suppliers of devices and services dealing with sleep disordered breathing. At the time, Joseph Zangrilli, Vice President of Operations noted, “Working collaboratively during the past year, we have developed one of the best sleep equipment programs in the U. S.”

Eric Cohen says, “We are strategically seeking additional DME acquisitions that fit our goals and are actively exploring a variety of private equity firms who share our vision and want to grow with us.”

A key to NST’s growth is its innovative approach on many front, including its free monthly community service, ‘CPAP Talk--Live!’ (visit www.cpaptalklive.com for details), a virtual support group / town hall forum-style conference call for anyone with sleep apnea and those who want to learn more. The sessions are on the first Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 p.m. ET. Each session features guest experts plus questions from participants. To join the discussion, just prior to the session, call 1-800-204-6655, enter access code 342-2187#. Advance registration is requested.

By Stanley Hurwitz / (508) 269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com