In response to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) review of the National Coverage Determination (NCD) and continuous positive airway pressure therapy for OSA, the AAST has issued the following statement.

Recognizing the role of sleep technologists in the evaluation and follow up care of patients with sleep disorders, the AAST’s position is that should portable monitoring be demonstrated to be of utility in the management of patients suspected of having OSA, we contend it will be necessary that these procedures be restricted to use through accredited sleep centers and be performed by sleep technologists. The AAST concurs with the AASM’s position that CMS not alter its current NCD on CPAP therapy for OSA. The AAST did send an official comment to CMS on this issue during the public comment period in April, 2007.