Noted Sleep Disorder Expert to Field Questions During August 6th ‘CPAP Talk – Live!’ Virtual Support Group

(Issued July / August 2014) -- Dr. Brooke Judd, Sleep Medicine Section Chief at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, will be the featured speaker and will field callers’ questions during National Sleep Therapy's unique virtual support group, ‘CPAP Talk – Live!,’ Wednesday, August 6th from 7 – 8 pm (ET). 
The free program, held on the first Wednesday of each month, is open to anyone who uses CPAP for sleep apnea or has sleep issues, health care professionals, and anyone else interested in the topic. The host is Eric Cohen, co-founder and President of National Sleep Therapy which provides the program as a community service.

Dr. Brooke, a noted sleep disorders expert, is affiliated with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Psychiatric Associates’ Sleep Disorders Center and serves as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth. Her Board Certifications are in Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Disease. She received her MD degree at the University of Health Sciences at Chicago Medical School and completed her Residency in Internal Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

For anyone interested in joining the conversation on Wednesday, August 6, from 7 – 8 p.m. (ET): Just prior to the session, call 1-800.204.6655, enter access code 342-2187#. If you prefer, send your questions in advance either via Facebook or use the cpaptalklive.com form. During each session, NST gives away a $25 gift card to one lucky participant. For more information: 888.867.8840 or support@nstherapy.com.

Verification of Benefits Specialist (Scarborough, ME)

National Sleep Therapy is looking for a Verification of Benefits Specialist to assist us at our Scarborough, ME location. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Verifying patient insurance eligibility for all equipment and services.
• Confirming authorizations for all insurances and managing patient account collections.
• Obtaining all initial pre-certifications and pre-authorizations as well as necessary information to do so.
• Ensuring all required documentation and compliance has met the specific insurance guidelines for each patient and health plan prior to claims submission.
• Following system protocol for managing all patient transactions from physician prescription to the creation of a proper and accurate Sales Order.
• Creating clear and detailed notes stating the patient's insurance policy terms within the company database system.

Skills and experience required:

• 2 + years experience working in medical billing setting.
• Working knowledge of medical equipment, medical terminology and medical reimbursement or HME insurance and billing.
• 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.
• Strong knowledge of appeal guidelines specific to individual insurances.
• Understanding of pricing and replacement of supplies and devices.
• Ability to learn and master new software programs quickly and with accuracy.
• Knowledge of Brightree and/or Remit Data a plus.
• Knowledge of Medicare DME supplier standards 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: Compensation based on experienceA local company, that provides sleep therapy solutions, is looking for a Verification of Benefits Specialist to assist us at our Scarborough, ME location.

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

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.