NYCE PPO Members: Can’t Tolerate CPAP? An Oral Appliance May Help
- Asher Diamond, DDS D.ABDSM
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Quick answer
If you have NYCE PPO, which replaced GHI-CBP, and cannot tolerate CPAP, a custom oral appliance may be another treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. Diamond Sleep Solutions provides oral appliance therapy at locations throughout New York City and Long Island and can help you understand the treatment process and your plan’s requirements.
Many New York City employees, pre-Medicare retirees, and their families recently transitioned from GHI-CBP to the new plan. The change in name, insurance card, and administration has caused understandable confusion, but your sleep apnea treatment options have not disappeared.
When CPAP is not working for you
CPAP is an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, but it only works when it is used consistently.
Some people struggle with:
An uncomfortable or leaking mask
Feeling claustrophobic
Dry mouth or nasal irritation
Noise from the machine
Removing the mask during sleep
Difficulty traveling with the equipment
Cleaning and maintaining the machine
If these problems prevent you from using CPAP regularly, leaving your sleep apnea untreated is not your only option.
What is oral appliance therapy?
Oral appliance therapy uses a small, custom-made device worn in the mouth while you sleep. The appliance gently supports the lower jaw in a forward position to help keep the airway open.
Unlike CPAP, an oral appliance:
Does not require a mask or hose
Is quiet
Does not need electricity
Is easy to travel with
Is made specifically for your mouth
Can be adjusted gradually
Fits into a small carrying case
Is convenient for overnight shifts and shared sleeping quarters
A sleep apnea oral appliance is not the same as an over-the-counter mouthguard or snoring device. It is professionally fitted and adjusted by a dentist trained in dental sleep medicine.
Clinical guidelines from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine recommend that sleep physicians consider oral appliance therapy for adults with obstructive sleep apnea who cannot tolerate CPAP or prefer an alternative treatment.
A practical option for firefighters and shift workers
Firefighters, EMS workers, police officers, health care workers, and other city employees may spend nights away from home or sleep in shared quarters.
A custom oral appliance fits into a small carrying case, requires no outlet or machine setup, and takes only seconds to put in. This can make it particularly convenient for overnight shifts, station houses, and travel.
When treatment is successful, it may also reduce disruptive snoring. Your bunkmates may appreciate the quieter nights too.
Who may be a candidate?
Oral appliance therapy may be worth considering if you:
Have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea
Cannot comfortably or consistently use CPAP
Remove your CPAP mask during sleep
Prefer a less cumbersome treatment option
Travel frequently
Want to discuss a CPAP alternative with your physician
A consultation is necessary because oral appliance therapy is not appropriate for everyone. Your sleep study, symptoms, dental health, jaw function, medical history, and treatment goals all need to be considered.
What does treatment involve?
Consultation
We review your sleep study, symptoms, CPAP experience, dental health, and treatment goals.
Digital scan
If oral appliance therapy is appropriate, we take a comfortable digital scan of your teeth.
Custom fabrication
Your appliance is made specifically for your mouth. It is designed to be comfortable, secure, and adjustable.
Fitting and adjustment
We make sure the appliance fits properly and show you how to use and care for it. The appliance can then be adjusted gradually based on your comfort and response.
Follow-up care
We monitor your symptoms, appliance fit, and progress. Follow-up sleep testing may be recommended to determine how effectively the appliance is treating your sleep apnea.
What improvements might you notice?
Successful sleep apnea treatment may help reduce:
Loud or disruptive snoring
Gasping or choking during sleep
Frequent nighttime awakenings
Morning headaches
Dry mouth upon waking
Daytime sleepiness
Difficulty concentrating
Results vary. A reduction in snoring alone does not prove that sleep apnea is adequately controlled. Professional follow-up and, when appropriate, repeat sleep testing are important.
Why choose Diamond Sleep Solutions?
Dr. Asher Diamond is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and focuses on treating obstructive sleep apnea with custom oral appliances.
Diamond Sleep Solutions provides:
Specialized dental sleep medicine care
Custom, FDA-cleared oral appliances
Digital scanning
Careful appliance adjustment
Coordination with sleep physicians
Assistance with medical insurance
Ongoing follow-up care
Frequently asked questions
Does NYCE PPO cover oral appliance therapy?
The plan may provide medical benefits for a custom oral appliance used to treat diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea. Coverage depends on medical necessity, your individual benefits, your sleep study, and the required clinical documentation.
Oral appliance therapy is generally submitted to medical insurance rather than routine dental insurance. Our team can review your benefits and help determine what documentation may be required before treatment.
Is NYCE PPO the same as GHI-CBP?
NYCE PPO replaced the former GHI-CBP plan on January 1, 2026, for participating New York City employees and pre-Medicare retirees. Eligible dependents may also be enrolled.
Many people still refer to their coverage as GHI even though the current plan has a new name and insurance card.
Do I have to try CPAP before getting an oral appliance?
That depends on your diagnosis, your physician’s recommendation, and your plan’s requirements. Oral appliance therapy is commonly considered when someone cannot tolerate CPAP or prefers an alternative.
Do I need a sleep study?
A diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is generally required before an appliance can be prescribed. If you already had a sleep study, bring a copy to your consultation. We can review it and determine whether any updated testing or documentation is needed.
Is this the same as a store-bought snoring guard?
No. A sleep apnea oral appliance is custom-made, professionally fitted, and adjusted as part of an ongoing treatment process. Over-the-counter devices are not a substitute for properly diagnosed and monitored sleep apnea treatment.
Convenient locations in NYC and Long Island
Diamond Sleep Solutions sees patients in:
Manhattan
Maspeth
New Hyde Park
Oceanside
Riverhead
Huntington
Find out if an oral appliance is right for you
If you cannot tolerate CPAP, you do not have to give up on treating your sleep apnea. Schedule a consultation to learn whether a custom oral appliance may be right for you.
Diamond Sleep Solutions is an independent healthcare provider and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of New York, NYCE PPO, EmblemHealth, UnitedHealthcare, UMR, GHI, or any labor organization. Treatment recommendations are based on an individual clinical evaluation. Insurance benefits and requirements vary by plan. Benefit verification does not guarantee coverage or payment.
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