Policy changes made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) can be expected to cause a surge in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnostic testing and treatment, according to a new report from Millennium Research Group (MRG). MRG released its new report titled “US Market Opportunities for Respiratory and Sleep Management Devices 2010,” which estimates that increasing reimbursement opportunities for OSA diagnosis and treatment will drive the OSA market to $1.5 billion by 2014.

MRG reports that CMS’s inclusion of home sleep testing in its 2009 Physician Fee Schedule is the largest reason for the increased market value.

"This change is expected to significantly expand the [number] of people getting tested for OSA and receiving treatment," says Ravindra Sharma, senior analyst at MRG. "Additionally, this change in reimbursement will also result in significant savings for CMS, because home sleep tests cost a fraction of in-lab polysomnographies. As a result, demand for therapeutic OSA devices will be very high through 2014."

“US Market Opportunities for Respiratory and Sleep Management Devices 2010” provides insight into emerging trends for therapeutic OSA devices, ventilators, oxygen therapy, and sleep diagnostic systems through 2014.