Insomnia treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with doctors and other healthcare providers via text, audio, or video. After you log in to your Maple account, you can request an online consultation.

Consultations work similarly to in-person appointments — the doctor can complete an assessment by asking questions about your symptoms, going through your health history, and determining what treatment is right for you. If they think your condition is more serious, they may tell you to go to a clinic for an in-person examination.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to virtual primary care online and more. You can connect with our network of providers via text, audio, or video call within minutes.

Our membership costs $79.99/month and covers virtual care for patients and their families, including the primary account holder's spouse and any dependents.

For patients in eligible provinces, our membership includes:

• Access to daily primary care provider visits: One daily visit with a primary care provider for each family member in their household.
• Paediatric care: Covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment.
• Second medical opinions: access to a network of experts for a second opinion if diagnosed with a complex condition (e.g. cancer).
• Personal Health Check-Ins: A series of personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to maintain and improve health.
• iCBT courses: Access to iCBT (internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy) self-assessment and courses.
• Access to specialists in eligible provinces: Easy access to specialists on Maple within days, not months. No referral is needed.
• Specialist referrals in eligible provinces: Ability to be referred to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed.
• Credit discounts: An $80 credit per month to be applied to a Maple specialist visit.

Please note that our membership cannot be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. In some cases, membership fees can be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) — check with your HSA provider for more details.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX cards, as well as Google and Apple Pay.

At Maple, we proudly prioritize privacy as a cornerstone of our virtual care services. We strictly adhere to privacy and healthcare legislation in Canada, such as PIPEDA and PHIPA regulations, to ensure patients' personal and health information remains completely private and safeguarded.

Our policies and consent processes are designed to be simple and easily understood, empowering individuals with control and a clear understanding of their healthcare journey. When using our services, a patient’s session is protected by a comprehensive security infrastructure and stringent data policies.

Patients also retain full control of their personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. Our approach is reinforced by consultations with leading experts, guaranteeing comprehensive policy frameworks that are reviewed at a regular cadence.

All providers delivering healthcare through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their licensing regulatory colleges, and in all instances, must act in accordance with the governing principles set out in the telemedicine policies of each medical regulator in the applicable province.

Regulators across Canada support and recognize the value of services like ours, and the way in which they can benefit patients, physicians, and Canada’s broader healthcare system by improving access to care and increasing efficiencies in the delivery of care.

Yes, you can. The healthcare practitioner or sleep therapist will want to discuss any symptoms or signs of insomnia that you’re experiencing, as well as your medical history and sleep habits.

Depending on the situation, the healthcare provider may suggest a physical exam. They may also suggest additional testing, such as a sleep study, in order to provide a clear insomnia diagnosis.

Once the healthcare practitioner is able to provide an insomnia diagnosis, they’ll be able to make insomnia treatment suggestions, which are designed to meet your specific needs.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe insomnia medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription for insomnia, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

Insomnia is a commonly occurring sleep disorder that makes it challenging for you to sleep. This could involve difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too soon and being unable to get back to sleep.

There are two different types of insomnia: primary and secondary.

Primary insomnia is the name for sleep problems that aren’t directly linked to other health conditions.

Secondary insomnia refers to sleep problems that are caused by other underlying health conditions.

Insomnia itself is often a symptom of another issue. Even primary insomnia could be the result of lifestyle habits affecting your ability to sleep.

The most commonly occurring associated symptoms or signs of insomnia include:

• Worrying about being unable to sleep
• Waking up too early
• Waking up throughout the night
• Not feeling rested after sleep
• Irritability or mood swings
• Depression or anxiety
• Sleepiness or fatigue during the day
• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Trouble focusing or paying attention
• Difficulty with memory

Primary insomnia is often caused by lifestyle factors that have an impact on sleep. This could include things like:

• Eating too close to bedtime
• Poor sleeping habits or changes in sleep patterns
• Work schedule – shift workers
• Noise, light, or temperature\
• Traveling
• Stress levels
• Traumatic events
• Changes in activity
• Alcohol consumption
• Drug use
• Stimulants (coffee, tea, nicotine, etc.)

Before offering an insomnia diagnosis, your healthcare provider will want to discuss the severity of the insomnia symptoms you’re experiencing, as well as your medical history. The healthcare provider will also want to know about your regular sleep habits, and may want to perform a physical exam.

If the healthcare practitioner believes that you could be experiencing secondary insomnia, they may suggest additional testing to identify any underlying conditions that could be causing your insomnia. This will involve whatever testing is typically involved with diagnosing the underlying condition that’s believed to be present.

In some cases, your healthcare provider may order a sleep study if they’re unable to provide you with a clear insomnia diagnosis. This may help provide a diagnosis for certain sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome.

Once your healthcare practitioner is able to provide you with a diagnosis for your insomnia, they’ll be able to recommend insomnia treatments that will address your specific needs.

It can be challenging to find insomnia treatments that will work for you. Your healthcare provider will likely suggest trying natural treatment methods, before suggesting prescription insomnia medications.

There are a number of natural insomnia treatments they may suggest, including:

• Sleep restriction
• Relaxation techniques
• Stimulus control therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Remaining passively awake (also called paradoxical intention)
• Light therapy
• Avoiding stimulants
• Changes in dietary habits or meal times
• Reducing or avoiding alcohol and drug use

When these lifestyle changes and therapies are ineffective, your healthcare provider may sometimes suggest cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia. Alternatively, they may suggest prescription insomnia medications, or a combination of both treatments.

However, prescription insomnia medications can have negative side effects, can be habit forming, and carry an increased risk of death. It’s not recommended to rely on these types of medications for long-term use, unless instructed to do so by your healthcare team.

Everyone has difficulty sleeping occasionally. However, if you’ve been experiencing severe insomnia symptoms, or chronic signs of insomnia, it’s a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider.

While insomnia is sometimes caused by your lifestyle, it can be the result of underlying conditions that may require treatment. A healthcare practitioner from Maple will be able to make appropriate recommendations, so that you can determine the cause of your insomnia.

Insomnia can have a huge impact on our mental health and daily life. You don’t have to manage insomnia alone. Get the help you need from Maple so you can get back to feeling rested.