Sleep apnea screening
STOP-BANG OSA Risk Screener
Quick answer
STOP-BANG is a validated 8-question screener for obstructive sleep apnea risk used by sleep clinics, anesthesiologists, and the FMCSA. Score 0 to 8: a score of 3 or more indicates intermediate risk; 5 or more indicates high risk. Take the screener below for an instant result and personalized next-step guidance from a board-certified sleep medicine practice.
STOP-BANG is one of the most studied screening tools in sleep medicine. The acronym names the eight risk factors it measures: Snoring, Tired, Observed apneas, Pressure (hypertension), BMI, Age, Neck size, Gender. It takes about 90 seconds to complete. The result tells you and your doctor whether further evaluation, like a home sleep test, is appropriate.
Frequently asked
How accurate is the STOP-BANG screener?
STOP-BANG has been validated in multiple peer-reviewed studies. At a cutoff of 3 or more, sensitivity for moderate-to-severe OSA exceeds 90% in most adult populations. Specificity rises with higher cutoffs. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis — a positive screen leads to a sleep study, not directly to treatment.
Is STOP-BANG more accurate than the Epworth Sleepiness Scale?
They measure different things. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale measures your level of daytime sleepiness; STOP-BANG measures risk of obstructive sleep apnea specifically. For OSA risk specifically, STOP-BANG is more sensitive. Many sleep clinics use both together.
My score was 3. Do I definitely have sleep apnea?
No. STOP-BANG identifies who should be tested, not who has the condition. A score of 3 or more means a sleep study is likely warranted. Many people with intermediate scores end up with normal results; others with low scores still have OSA. Only a sleep test can diagnose the condition.
Will my insurance cover a home sleep test if I screen positive?
Most California commercial plans, Medicare, and Medi-Cal cover home sleep apnea testing when a physician orders it for an appropriate clinical indication. Coverage details (deductible, copay, prior authorization) vary by plan. CPT 95800 is the most common billing code; G0398 for Medicare. Our intake team verifies coverage before shipping any device.
References
- STOP-BANG questionnaire validation. Chung F, Yegneswaran B, Liao P, et al.. Anesthesiology, 2008
- Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnostic Testing for Adult Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Kapur VK, Auckley DH, Chowdhuri S, et al.. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, AASM, 2017
This screener is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for a clinical evaluation. A diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea requires a sleep study ordered by a physician.