The TAP® is Covered

You may want to file for insurance to cover the costs of your TAP®. In this section, we have included information on how to file for insurance and which CPT codes you need to use when contacting your insurance carrier. If any of your questions are not answered below, please do not hesitate to contact Airway Management, Inc. by submitting our contact form.

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Filing for Insurance

If you are going to file for insurance to cover the costs of the TAP®, file for medical insurance not dental insurance. Usually oral appliances fall under the same category as durable medical equipment and prostheses. If this is not the case, ask if oral appliances are covered by the insurance benefits. Be sure to tell the claims personnel that you have a CPT code. This will speed up the approval process.

These codes have all had successful prior approval. Be sure to have a note of medical necessity signed by the prescriber and a description of the TAP® and its function below. The codes that we can provide are:

Description of the TAP®

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The Thornton Adjustable Positioner® (TAP®) alleviates snoring and sleep apnea by holding the mandible forward during sleep so that the tongue and soft tissues of the throat do not collapse into the airway. The TAP® is based on the same principle as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The airway must be opened to allow air to pass through the throat.

This appliance is unique because it allows the patient to adjust the degree to which the jaw is held forward, simultaneously allowing maximum comfort and effectiveness. It is a custom-made two-piece appliance that snaps easily over the upper and lower teeth. The hook on the upper tray and the bar on the lower tray of the appliance engage enabling the mandible to be pulled forward. The dial mechanism (Front Assembly) found on the front of the upper tray controls the amount the lower jaw is pulled forward. When the patient finds a comfortable position, he/she can have the front assembly removed from the upper tray, making it more comfortable.

Studies have shown that the TAP® has stopped snoring in more than 96%1 of patients who wear the appliance, making it more successful than any other oral appliance currently available. It is also the only oral appliance proven effective for the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea.

1 Chest. 1999; Vol. 116, pages 1501-1503
"Treatment of Sleep Apnea" by Peretz Lavie, PhD

Insurance Letters and Forms

>>Description of TAP® for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
>>Letter Of Medical Necessity