Sleep Apnea Economic Burden in U.S. Exceeds $150B Annually--Vivos' Novel Solution Can Help

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a hidden driver of chronic disease and skyrocketing healthcare costs, with untreated cases costing the US economy $150 billion annually. Vivos Therapeutics' integrated, non-invasive solutions challenge outdated paradigms, offering a proactive and cost-effective approach to OSA treatment.

LITTLETON, Colo., Sept. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is wreaking havoc on individuals and healthcare systems alike, contributing to hypertension, diabetes, depression, and even stroke, while costing the U.S. economy a staggering $150 billion annually. ^(1-2) Despite its devastating impact, OSA remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. A recent study found untreated OSA patients incur healthcare costs averaging $19,566 per year, primarily due to inpatient care. ⁽³⁾

Vivos Therapeutics, a leader in innovative airway health solutions, is taking bold steps to combat this growing epidemic. By providing integrated, non-invasive solutions tailored for early intervention and prevention, Vivos is redefining how OSA is treated, with the aim of improving patient outcomes and decreasing the financial burden on healthcare systems.

"Sleep apnea doesn't just disrupt sleep; it destroys lives and drains resources. And the traditional CPAP-centered models of treatment have fallen short," said Kirk Huntsman, Chairman and CEO of Vivos Therapeutics. "We need to move beyond outdated paradigms like CPAP therapy, which merely manages symptoms over a lifetime. At Vivos, we're focused on rehabilitating and restoring patient airways such that within about 9-12 months, no further intervention is necessary. That's our goal, and it's very different from what sleep medicine has been offering patients up until now."

OSA's Deadly Costs are Rising Fast

OSA isn't just a sleep disorder; it's a chronic disease accelerator. Untreated OSA has been linked to a significant increase in hypertension, stroke, depression, metabolic disorders, and even cancers.

A 2023 Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine study confirmed the staggering economic impacts, citing $15,482 in annual inpatient healthcare costs alone for undiagnosed OSA patients. Older adults and individuals with obesity are at even higher risk, further straining the healthcare system.

And the obstacles extend further. Traditional in-lab sleep testing can cost between $2,000 and $6,000 per night, often requiring months-long backlogs to access care. ⁽⁴⁾ For uninsured patients, such costs make diagnosis all but impossible.

"The status quo isn't just inefficient; it's failing millions of Americans," says Huntsman. "OSA isn't going away—but it can be stopped."

The Vivos Blueprint for Change

Vivos' suite of FDA-cleared solutions is disrupting the industry by offering a proactive and holistic approach to airway health. Instead of merely managing OSA with cumbersome CPAP machines, Vivos targets the root causes of the condition through innovative, patient-focused treatments.

Key benefits of Vivos' solutions include measurable outcomes and convenience, such as:

• Non-invasive treatments: Eliminating the need for surgeries or daily reliance on CPAP devices over the course of a lifetime.
• Root cause resolution: Addressing structural issues of the airway to rehabilitate and restore optimal airway form and function, often within 12 months.
• Cost-efficiency: Reducing both healthcare expenses and the economic burden of untreated OSA.
• Improved diagnosis access: Integrated care models, including home sleep testing, make it easier to identify and treat OSA earlier in both children and adults.

"No one wants to hear they'll spend the rest of their lives attached to a machine," said Huntsman. "Our non-invasive solutions represent a modern, efficient, and patient-friendly path to better health outcomes. This is what sleep apnea treatment should look like in the 21st century."

A Call for Widespread Sleep Testing and Informing Patients of All Options

The lack of awareness about OSA among medical professionals and the fragmented communication between medical and dental communities have contributed significantly to delayed diagnoses and ineffective treatment strategies. To break down these barriers, Vivos advocates for greater transparency, better patient education, and an airway-focused approach to healthcare that includes the latest clinical tools to save lives and cut costs.

"Healthcare systems need a wake-up call," added Huntsman. "We can no longer afford to view OSA as an isolated condition. It's a major player in chronic disease, and the time to act is NOW. At Vivos, we're not waiting for the system to change—we're driving the change, one airway at a time."

About VIVOS THERAPEUTICS

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) affects over 1 billion people worldwide, yet 90% remain undiagnosed and unaware of their condition. This chronic disorder is not just a sleep issue—it's closely linked to nearly every modern chronic health condition. While the medical community has made strides in treating sleep disorders, breathing and sleep health remain areas that are still not fully understood. As a result, solutions are often mechanistic and fail to address the root causes of OSA.

Vivos Therapeutics, founded in 2016 and based in Littleton, CO, is changing this. Through innovative technology, education, and partnerships with dentists, functional medicine doctors, and sleep specialists, Vivos is empowering healthcare providers to more thoroughly address the complex needs of patients. Their groundbreaking device is the only FDA 510(k) cleared technology for treating severe OSA and the first to receive clearance for treating moderate to severe OSA in children.

The Vivos Method offers a unique, clinically effective solution that is nonsurgical, noninvasive, and nonpharmaceutical, providing hope for patients with mild to severe OSA. Vivos: Breathe New Life. For more information, visit www.vivos.com.

References

1. Nunez, Carlos. "Sleep Health - the Overlooked Solution to Combating Non-Communicable Diseases -." Thejournalofmhealth.com, 3 Feb. 2025, thejournalofmhealth.com/sleep-health-the-overlooked-solution-to-combating-non-communicable-diseases/.
2. TIMES Magazine. The Future of Medicine, "Lifestyles of the Healthy and Wise" . Jan. 2023, institutogen.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Time_Special-Edition-The-Future-of-Medicine-2023.pdf .
3. Hoffman, Matt. "Undiagnosed OSA Linked to High Health Care Costs and Utilization." Neurology Live, 6 Feb. 2020, neurologylive.com/view/undiagnosed-osa-linked-to-high-health-care-costs-and-utilization.
4. Pacheco, Danielle, and Dr. Abhinav Singh. "How Much Does a Sleep Study Cost? | Sleep Foundation." Sleep Foundation, 31 Mar. 2023, sleepfoundation.org/sleep-studies/how-much-does-a-sleep-study-cost#references-196045.

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SOURCE Vivos Therapeutics