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Interventions for PCPs and behavioral health providers to promote sleep

October 20, 2017

Do your patients tell you they have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep; that they wake up during the night; or that they have difficulty getting back to sleep once they wake up? Do they also complain of being tired all day? Have they also tried over-the-counter medications or alcohol but still cannot sleep? Since as many as 30 – 40 percent of Americans report insomnia each year,1 this is not an unusual complaint to be reported by your patients.

Sleep problems are a significant public health issue, as they have an impact on many health conditions. Since 20 – 33 percent of patients in a provider's practice may have a complaint of sleep disturbance, it is important for primary care physicians (PCP) to fully evaluate the situation. Sleep problems could signify a previously undiagnosed chronic medical condition, or they could impact the treatment of other conditions such as chronic pain, cardiovascular, and neurological conditions. Sleep disturbances may negatively affect mood, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder2 and are now included in the DSM-5 as a distinct mental health disorder. For these reasons, fostering effective sleep is a shared responsibility of both medical and behavioral health providers and, when properly addressed, can improve health as well as quality of life.

Treatment options

Your patients may ask for medication to help them sleep, but research has shown that medications are not the most effective treatment for chronic insomnia.3 While there are many non-pharmacologic treatments available for insomnia, research has found that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective for treating insomnia.4

With this information in mind, Magellan Healthcare, Inc. (Magellan), an independent company, has developed a web-based and confidential CBT program for insomnia, known as RESTORETM. Magellan RESTORETM is a free mobile app that you and your patient can download from your smartphone or tablet. This program contains seven modules, which are intended to be completed by your patient weekly. Each module takes 20 to 50 minutes to complete and should be done as one session. The RESTORETM program contains patient resources as well as a sleep diary. The entire program is done in the privacy of the patient's own home. Another important aspect of the program is the report section, which is based on the modules and sleep diary. This is a valuable tool that the patient can share with you.

Independence and Magellan continue to collaborate to provide education and resources to our network providers. You can find more information and resources for patient management by visiting our website. Resources are also available on the NaviNet® web portal under Health and Wellness in the Administrative Tools & Resources section.


1National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. "Your guide to healthy sleep." National Institutes of Health. 2011. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/files/docs/public/sleep/healthy_sleep.pd f.

2Roth, T. "Comorbid insomnia: current directions and future challenges." The American Journal of Managed Care. 2009. 15:S6-S13. Available from: http://www.ajmc.com/journals/supplement/2009/2008-12-vol15-n1Suppl /A228_09feb_Roth_S6toS13/.

3Maglione, M; Maher, AR; Hu, J; Wang, Z; Shanman, R; Shekelle, PG; Roth, B; Hilton, L; Suttorp, MJ; Ewing, BA; Motala, A; Perry, T. "Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics: An Update." Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. 2011. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22132426.

4American Academy of Sleep Medicine. "Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is Effective in Treating Chronic Insomnia." June 1, 2009. Available from: http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=1295.

Magellan Healthcare, Inc. manages mental health and substance abuse benefits for most Independence members.

NaviNet is a registered trademark of NaviNet, Inc., an independent company.


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