

New HST Codes; What YOU Need to Know
This episode breaks down the upcoming sleep testing code changes and why they matter for sleep labs, physicians, technologists, vendors, and health systems. The STT Crew discuss how the new structure changes home testing, professional review, reimbursement, and patient triage.They also explain why so many people in sleep care still do not realize these changes are coming, and what teams should be doing now before the January 2027 rollout. Key topics In this episode, the hosts explain that the current home sleep testing codes are set to sunset at the end of the year, with a new framework expected to launch January 1, 2027. The Crew lays out the new home testing tiers: Low complexity — 3 to 4 channels, CPT 95X18 Moderate complexity — 5 to 10 channels, CPT 95X19 High complexity — 11 plus channels, CPT 95X20, which includes home PSG Timestamps (00:00) Sponsor messages and episode setup (02:02) Introducing the new PSG code changes (02:59) Why most sleep professionals missed the coming changes (04:15) Fragmented communication in sleep care (05:42) Technical and professional billing are separating (06:42) Home PSG and the new high-acuity testing tier (08:16) Why physicians may need to review more than AHI (09:41) Why vendors cannot yet define the new channels (10:50) What sleep providers should do right now (11:20) Early reimbursement estimates and operational concerns (12:31) Derived channels, device selection, and policy updates (13:23) Payer contracts and vendor agreements may need revision (14:45) The three home testing complexity tiers (16:15) Why in-lab sleep testing is not going away (17:13) CMS, utilization control, and triage strategy (20:07) More data at home, more access to care (23:36) Hospital screening and inpatient sleep apnea risk (25:22) Population health outreach using AI and EHR data (27:57) Final takeaways on preparation, uncertainty, and timing (31:02) Important dates — comment period, November release, January 1 launch Share your opinion and comment on the codes here: https://aasm.org/new-unattended-sleep-testing-cpt-codes-cms-proposed-rule/ A huge thanks to our sponsors: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Discover how F&P full-face masks have led millions of people to a great night’s sleep at https://www.fphcare.com/curiosity https://www.fphcare.com/us/homecare/sleep-apnea/ Philips Healthcare See how Philips is supporting you and your patients with meaningful innovation. Visit https://www.philips.com/matters Soliish https://www.soliish.com/ React Health https://www.reacthealth.com/ More resources for clinicians can be found at Sleep Review Magazine https://sleepreviewmag.com/ Credits: Audio/ Video: Diego R Mannikarote; Music: Pierce G Mannikarote Hosts: J. Emerson Kerr, Robert Miller, Gerald George Mannikarote Copyright: ⓒ 2026 SleepTech Talk Productions Episode 131 The views and opinions expressed by guests on SleepTech Talk are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast hosts or SleepTech Talk as a whole. This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Listeners are encouraged to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions.
