Editorial summarizes updates in AASM Scoring Manual Version 2.2
An editorial by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Scoring Manual Editorial Board summarizes the updates included in the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events Version 2.2, which was released July 1, 2015.
AASM publishes new drowsy driving position statement
A new American Academy of Sleep Medicine position statement published in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine warns that drowsy driving is a serious public health concern requiring greater public awareness and increased efforts to improve preventive education.
Seattle School Board approves later start times for high schools and middle schools
This week the Seattle School Board approved later start times for its high schools and most of its middle schools beginning next school year.
Good Morning America explores impact of 40 hours of sleep deprivation
Earlier this week, Dan Childs, head of the ABC News Medical Unit, documented the impact of going 40 hours without sleep while being monitored at a sleep center as part of Good Morning America’s 40th anniversary.
2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule finalizes payments and policies for sleep medicine
On Oct. 30, 2015 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, which provides updates to payment policies and payment rates for services billed on or after Jan. 1, 2016.
New drowsy driving position statement calls for greater public awareness, education
A new position statement from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine warns that drowsy driving is a serious public health concern requiring greater public awareness and increased efforts to improve preventive education.
A year away from the 2016 Election: AASM PAC needs your support
To fight for the best possible sleep care, I ask that every member take the time to donate $100 to the AASM PAC.
New product catalog offers savings for members
Navigate the future of sleep medicine with the exclusive Q4 2015 Quarterly Product Catalog offering the latest resources from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
AASM president discusses dreams and nightmares in PBS Twitter chat
On Friday, Nov. 6, American Academy of Sleep Medicine President Dr. Nathaniel Watson discussed the neuroscience of dreams, nightmares and REM sleep during a Twitter chat hosted by PBS NewsHour.
CDC reports that U.S. uninsured rate is down to 9 percent
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 9.2 percent of individuals were uninsured at the time of interview from January through March 2015, a decrease of 2.3 percentage points from the 2014 uninsured rate of 11.5 percent.
Your audience awaits at SLEEP 2016: Submit an abstract or session proposal
Spotlight your research findings and practice methods at SLEEP 2016, June 11-15 in Denver. The session proposal and abstract submission site is now open!
AASM leaders participate in NHTSA forum on drowsy driving
American Academy of Sleep Medicine President Dr. Nathaniel Watson participated on multiple panels of sleep and transportation safety experts during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) drowsy driving Forum, “Asleep at the Wheel, A Nation of Drowsy Drivers,” held Nov. 4 – 5, 2015.
Study finds an analgesia phenomenon associated with sleepwalking
A study in the November issue of the journal SLEEP presents a clinical enigma: Although sleepwalkers have an increased risk for headaches and migraines while awake, during sleepwalking episodes they are unlikely to feel pain even while suffering an injury.
Study shows that fragmented sleep impacts mood more than sleep restriction
A study in the November issue of the journal SLEEP is the first human experimental study to demonstrate that, despite comparable reductions in total sleep time, partial sleep loss from sleep continuity disruption is more detrimental to positive mood than partial sleep loss from delaying bedtime.
Two sleep-related investigations highlighted in the 2016 OIG Work Plan
On Monday, Nov. 2, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) published the 2016 edition of its annual Work Plan, which includes two investigations related to sleep medicine.
CMS posts 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule
On Friday Oct. 30, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services posted the 2016 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule, which outlines 2016 payment and policies for Medicare physicians.
Budget deal signed by President includes key health care provisions
As anticipated, on Monday, Nov. 2, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314) was signed into law by President Barack Obama. As an integral part of the agreement, the deal includes multiple key health provisions.
ASMF accepting applications for Junior Faculty Research Award
Board-certified sleep medicine physicians who are members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine are encouraged to apply to the American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) for the 2016 American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) Junior Faculty Research Award. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. CST on Dec. 21, 2015.
Encourage your colleagues to join the AASM
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine encourages you to help bolster the membership base by encouraging colleagues to become AASM members.
Sleepwalkers feel no pain, remain asleep despite suffering injuries
A new study of sleepwalkers found an intriguing paradox: Although sleepwalkers have an increased risk for headaches and migraines while awake, during sleepwalking episodes they are unlikely to feel pain even while suffering an injury.
Study examines trends in mortality in the U.S.
A study published Oct. 27 in JAMA found an overall decreasing trend in the age-standardized U.S. death rate between 1969 and 2013 for all causes combined, and for diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke, unintentional injuries, and diabetes.
Watson discusses new telemedicine position paper with Medscape
A recent Medscape article highlighted the new AASM Position Paper for the Use of Telemedicine for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sleep Disorders.
U.S. House reaches budget deal with health care implications
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 266-167 to advance the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (H.R. 1314), which includes key health care provisions.
Audit by OIG finds Florida IDTF not compliant with Medicare sleep study requirements
Recently the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) published findings of an audit conducted on a Florida-based independent diagnostic testing facility (IDTF), which found that the IDTF did not comply with Medicare billing requirements. The AASM encourages all members to review the documentation requirements outlined in your local Medicare coverage determinations (both for sleep testing and DME) to ensure compliance with all requirements.
AASM to participate in NHTSA drowsy driving forum: Watch the live stream
AASM President Dr. Nathaniel Watson and board member Dr. Raman Malhotra will be participating in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) drowsy driving Forum, “Asleep at the Wheel, A Nation of Drowsy Drivers,” Nov. 4 – 5, 2015.