SAVINGS ALERT: Register for SLEEP 2015 by April 22 for maximum discount
The early-bird registration discount for SLEEP 2015 is about to expire. Register for SLEEP 2015 by Wednesday, April 22, for maximum savings on the general session registration fees.
SGR repeal: What physicians need to know
Last week, after years of physician advocacy, a bill repealing the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula was signed into law. Thanks to this new law, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, a 21% cut to physician payment will not be implemented. In addition, the legislation includes a number of new provisions that will help shape payment in years to come.
Registration is now open for the 2015 Sleep Medicine Board Review Course
Join the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) on the banks of the Mississippi for the 2015 Sleep Medicine Board Review Course.
Make your coding transition seamless with new Comorbid Crosswalk
The ICD-9 to ICD-10 Comorbid Crosswalk will help sleep center staff more easily navigate the reimbursement process with codes for common comorbid disorders encountered by sleep physicians, such as diabetes, depression, hypertension, COPD and heart failure.
Study links insomnia to work impairment in night shift workers
A study in the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that insomnia is strongly linked to functional and cognitive impairments in night shift workers, while sleepiness appears to make a smaller contribution.
Study links sleep apnea and depression to crash risk among long-haul truck drivers
Long-haul truck drivers diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea were more than three times more likely to be involved in a crash, according to an Australian study in the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
President Obama signs SGR repeal into law
The wait is over. As expected, President Barack Obama signed the repeal of Medicare’s SGR into law on Thursday, April 16, touting the bill (H.R. 2) as a bi-partisan, common-sense effort.
Donate AASM children’s books to celebrate School Library Month
Show your support for your local school libraries by donating copies of the AASM children’s books in April during School Library Month, which recognizes the valuable role of school librarians in promoting childhood learning.
Physician engagement yields results as Congress passes SGR repeal
In the final hours of last night, the U.S. Senate passed legislation which finally expels Medicare’s irresponsible and broken Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), a measure that has annually threatened the livelihoods of physicians and patient access to care. This landmark legislation, one that protects physicians against a 21% pay cut from Medicare, is proof that when physicians raise their voices, Congress will listen.
Prepare for the sleep medicine certification exam with online learning modules
Start your preparations for the sleep medicine board certification exam with help from the AASM’s Sleep Medicine Board Review online learning modules.
Learn how to market your sleep center to grow a profitable patient base
Guide your center to the path of success with easy-to-understand marketing assistance from the AASM.
Study links sleep disorders to increased risk of autoimmune diseases
A study in the April issue of SLEEP found that people with sleep disorders other than sleep apnea had a significantly higher risk for incident autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, supporting a bidirectional relationship between sleep disorders and autoimmune diseases.
SLEEP 2015 abstract supplement is now online
Now available online is the SLEEP 2015 abstract book, which is published as a supplement of the journal SLEEP. This comprehensive resource includes more than 1,200 abstracts that will be presented both orally and through posters at SLEEP 2015 in Seattle.
Advocate for the sleep medicine profession using new AASM Advocacy Toolkit
Do you have innovative ideas on health policy? Do you want to assure that “sleep” is spoken about at the political table?
AASM meets with NIH to promote sleep medicine health services research
Last week AASM leadership conducted productive meetings with several institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Contact your Senator today to support the SGR repeal
After tabling debate on a permanent repeal to Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR), the U.S. Senate is back from recess. Today, the Senate must pass a full repeal or patch of the SGR before physicians will face a 21% payment cut for treating Medicare patients.
AASM supports AGS-NIA conference on sleep and aging
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is providing conference grant support for “Sleep, Circadian Rhythms, and Aging,” the second in a series of a three-part U13 Bedside to Bench Conference sponsored by the American Geriatrics Society and the National Institute on Aging.
Register for free webinar to get answers to ISR questions
Join the AASM on Wednesday, April 22, at 2 p.m. CDT for a free webinar answering frequently asked questions about the Inter-scorer Reliability assessment system.
Hypnogram: Five sessions to attend at SLEEP 2015
With more than 100 outstanding sessions and new clinical and research tracks, the SLEEP 2015 scientific program presents you with a challenging dilemma: How do you choose which sessions to attend when so many of them pique your interest and spark your curiosity? As you browse the SLEEP 2015 session schedule to plan your itinerary, be sure to take note of these five sessions, all of which are deserving of your attendance.
Healthy Sleep Project urges parents to talk with teens about drowsy driving risks
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and other partners in the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project urge all parents of teen and novice drivers to talk with their children about the risks of drowsy driving.
Study links maternal symptoms of sleep apnea to fetal telomere length
A study in the April issue of SLEEP provides the first evidence demonstrating that fetuses born to mothers at high risk for sleep apnea or habitual snorers had shortened leukocyte telomere length.
Study shows that tongue stiffness is lower in patients with sleep apnea
A study in the April issue of SLEEP found that the stiffness of the tongue in patients with obstructive sleep apnea was approximately 10 percent lower than control subjects during wakefulness even after controlling for age and body mass index.
PBS documentary explores “Quiet Revolution” in health care delivery
A new documentary that was broadcast recently on PBS explores how health care professionals are placing the patient at the center of their practice — transforming the way medical care is delivered while lowering costs and improving outcomes.
MOC modules are now FREE for AASM members
Access to the AASM Maintenance of Certification modules is now included with your AASM membership.
UnitedHealthcare to terminate agreements for inactive providers
The April 2015 UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Network Bulletin details steps the payer will be taking to ensure that its provider directory includes only those providers who are actively treating UnitedHealthcare members.