It takes about 5-10 minutes to complete the full assessment.

Depending on the cause of the sleep disorder you are experiencing, the following may be recommended:

• Sleep hygiene and other lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise.
• Treatment for a preexisting or co-occurring medical condition.
• Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) or relaxation techniques.
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine or dental appliances.
• Medication or natural products as prescribed by your physician.

The following are offered at no cost to you as part of Manitoba Blue Cross’s Sleep Journey:

• Sleep assessment
To help determine what your sleep difficulties may be, the online questionnaire includes a series of questions based on your recent sleep behaviours and patterns.
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• Cognitive behavourial therapy (CBT)
Depending on your circumstances, we offer treatment for insomnia in the form of CBT, provided as an internet-based, self-guided program, or you will work directly with a therapist or counsellor through a guided CBT program.
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• Sleep consultation
If the assessment finds that your sleep difficulties are likely due to a less common sleep disorder, you will be invited to request a sleep consultation with one of Manitoba Blue Cross’s sleep consultants. During this, personalized treatment recommendations will be provided.

There may be some costs associated with the recommended treatment plans. A sleep study does have a cost associated with it. If you require a sleep study, Manitoba Blue Cross provides access to in-home polysomnography – a sleep test, much like the test you would take in a sleep clinic but administered by you in the comfort of your home – that produces lab-quality diagnostics at a reduced cost. The associated cost may be claimable under your group or personal health benefits plan, health spending account or wellness spending account. A polysomnogram is also an eligible medical expense you can claim on your income tax return.

No problem! If you’re not ready to take the sleep assessment, you can find additional resources and information about proper sleep hygiene that can help you improve your sleep habits here.

A Manitoba Blue Cross sleep consultant will refer you to one of our partners, who will coordinate the delivery of the polysomnogram to your home. This will be in the form of an at-home sleep test that can be administered by you in the comfort of your home.

The at-home sleep test includes:
• step-by-step instructions
• testing device
• nasal sensor belt
• nasal cannula
• pulse oximeter
• hypo-allergenic adhesive tape
• AAA batteries

Once you’ve completed the sleep study, you will be asked to return the equipment, and a physician will review the results and share them with you.