Provider Commonly Asked Questions

The remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology. The digital transmission of medical imaging, remote medical diagnosis and evaluations, and video consultations with specialists.

There are three main types of telemedicine, which include store-and-forward, remote monitoring and real-time interactive services. Each of these has a beneficial role to play in overall health care and, when utilized properly, can offer tangible benefits for both healthcare workers and patients.


  1. Live Video - Real-time, audio-video communication tools that connect physicians and patients in different locations.
  2. Store-and-Forward - collect images and or data to be transmitted and interpreted later.
  3. Remote Patient Monitoring - can capture and communicate biometric data for review. Usually associated with a wearable product.

Telehealth is different from telemedicine in that it refers to a broader scope of remote health care services than telemedicine. Telemedicine refers specifically to remote clinical services, while telehealth can refer to remote non-clinical services.

The two forms of Telemedicine are Synchronous and Asynchronous. Synchronous telemedicine is live video-conferencing, which is a two-way audiovisual connection between a patient and a care provider. Asynchronous telemedicine is store-and-forward video-conferencing, which is the transmission of a recorded health history to a health practitioner. Not in real time.

Attract more patients, decrease no show rate, offer a hybrid approach to healthcare, advance new business model by expanding access to more patients, minimize patient leakage and improve patient engagement.

You will need a secure internet connection (broadband) and a video platform. The equipment must have built-in audio/video technology. If the video component does not come with a built-in webcam you can purchase this item separately.

No. Provider must hold a license in the state where the patient is located. This is commonly referred to as the originating site.

Increase in geographic reach, more potential patients for both set-ups and resupply and an enhanced patient/physician relationship. 

When a state passes a telemedicine parity law, it means private payers in that state must reimburse you for telemedicine care in the same way they would for in-person visit.

Medicare will also pay the originating site a facility fee, as reimbursement for hosting a telemedicine visit. A new place of service (POS) code 02 has been created for telehealth. Questions regarding facility fee should be addressed with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/ContactCMS

An originating site is the location where your beneficiary is physically located and receiving medical services. A distant site is where you are located and treating a patient. Please click on the following link to get your states specific legislation on this matter https://www.cchpca.org/

Due to the constant changes on rules and regulations set forth by Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the list of approved providers is fluid. We suggest you contact Medicare for an approved list.

Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, or a Mobile device. The technology must have built in audio and video capability or a peripheral device.

When a state passes a telemedicine parity law, it means private payers in that state must reimburse you for telemedicine care in the same way they would for in-person visit.

Yes. SleepTM Select is a streamlined platform suited for the novice user. Offers day one essentials to conduct a 2-way reimbursable audio and video encounters. Select does not collect or store patient health information. SleepTM Pro is a more advanced telemedicine platform offering a variety of features such as file transfer, collect and store patient health information, share screen, photo capabilities, integrated sleep diary and much more. Visit for more information.

Follow this link, click on "sign up" then choose "provider." The process takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Dual authentication is required for security reasons and only required once.

To find a local sleep specialist or accredited sleep center, visit Sleep Education or find a provider here.

If you are a subscriber to SleepTM and require immediate assistance, please call our client service department -

Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CT 1 (888) 334-6820 or email contact@aasm.org

Please refer to the following link for pricing and platform features. Products

Yes. No software needed to be downloaded. Access is driven by username and password.

SleepTM is flexible whereas both modalities (live interactive 2-way audio/video or store and forward) may be used. The type of telemedicine visit will depend on a provider’s individual needs.

To schedule an appointment with your patient, you will do so from the homepage within SleepTM. The process is seamless and entails minimal time. You are provided with essential material to walk you through the process.

Providers are not required to download software but will be required to create a username and password.

You may charge your patients directly by using patient self-pay service.

Yes. "Quick Encounter" is an impromptu/ad hoc encounter that is a simplistic means to facilitate an encounter. Requires patient to enter your custom URL into their personal browser.

In most cases within the same day of registering an account.

Yes

SleepTM offers many online forms such as a patient consent form.

Yes. SleepTM Pro offers 3 sleep questionnaires (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Stop Bang, and Berlin Questionnaire). To obtain material on Sleep Education visit here.

No, U.S. based only.

Currently there are no restrictions on the number of users. Unlike many other telemedicine platforms, the cost is based on location not number of users.

Yes. As part of your subscription, you will receive personalized or group training.

SleepTM Select is free for individual members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Accredited Member Facilities.

SleepTM is owned, operated, and maintained by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

SleepTM does offer a booking feature that will allow your patients to schedule an online appointment on their own. 

Currently, No

Not currently.

Webinars are offered daily on how to navigate SleepTM Select and Pro. Please refer to https://sleeptm.com/demos

No. Applicable to other specialties such as Psychiatrists, Neurologists, Pulmonologists, Internists and Pediatrics to name a few. 

SleepTM allows for downloading patient health information in machine – readable XML. The XML is in CDA R2 format which can be imported into most Electronic Health Record systems.  

SleepTM Pro offers you several customizable marketing materials such as postcards, business cards and a poster which can be downloaded at any time. In addition to the marketing materials, you will receive a custom branded home webpage. If you are a member facility subscriber or an individual member you will be listed in the academy’s database at http://sleepeducation.org/

Depends on many variables such as which state you are conducting telemedicine in. You should contact your private payers directly for information regarding coverage of telemedicine services.

This depends on state telemedicine law. Please refer to the following site Home Page | CCHP Website (cchpca.org)

Telemedicine reimbursement guidelines vary greatly across commercial payers and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) services. The healthcare industry is adopting telemedicine services exponentially and view telemedicine as a viable tool to provide healthcare. Please check with your individual payers to see what their policy and guidelines are.

SleepTM offers a knowledgebase which is continually updated with current legislation and regulation guidelines as it pertains to the use of telemedicine.

Yes, through our Department of Health Policy. For additional information contact coding@aasm.org

SleepTM was developed as a stand-alone telemedicine platform but does offer some practice management features.

Yes. Contact our coding department for detailed information here.

Each state has their own policy regarding the use of telemedicine. Suggest contacting the Center for Connected Health Policy at Home Page | CCHP Website (cchpca.org)

There are many variables and telemedicine functions in a fluid industry. To learn about Medicare reimbursement visit here.

The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact offers you a new, voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for qualified physicians who wish to practice in multiple states. To see if your state is part of the commission please click on the following link.

Physicians generally can provide DME products within the scope of their practice, provided that the physician complies with applicable State laws, including any applicable State physician self-referral prohibitions or restrictions. For more information, please visit Industry Associations -- HME Business (hme-business.com).