Stay up-to-date on the latest technology with Sleep Medicine Trends 2015!
Join the AASM in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 20-22, 2015 to discuss integrating new technology for the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients with sleep disorders into your practice. These sessions are presented by experts and include: Managing Patients in the World of Apps, Mobile Devices and Fitbits; Telehealth in Sleep Medicine: A Protocol for Your Practice; Tips for Integrating Sleep Data with EMRs; and many more!
Facility member receive A-CEP as a new membership benefit
Provide your staff with the tools to gain a working knowledge of the up-to-date coding and billing techniques by renewing your sleep facility membership.
Medicare to implement new policy on Coverage of Respiratory Assist Devices
On Dec. 1, 2014 the four DME Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) will implement a revised local coverage determination (LCD) for Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs).
Submit your session proposal to SLEEP 2015 by Dec. 1
Influence the content of the scientific sessions and be heard by your colleagues with a session proposal for SLEEP 2015. The Dec. 1 deadline is fast approaching. Do not miss your chance to present at the largest gathering of sleep physicians and researchers in the nation.
NTSB recommends further sleep apnea screenings in Metro-North report
The National Transportation Safety Board has issued its conclusions and recommendations on the Metro-North Railroad derailment that killed four people in the Bronx on Dec 1, 2013. The NTSB concluded that driver fatigue caused the deadly derailment, and that primary care physicians need better training to identify sleep disorders to prevent future drowsy driving accidents.
AASM advocacy results in CMS approval of capnography
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved adding capnography to the practice expense for pediatric polysomnography codes 95782 and 95783 starting in 2015. The proposal is a direct result of two years of advocacy by the AASM. This proposal is outlined in the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule.
Your membership and the future of sleep medicine
The AASM would like to thank all of our members for supporting the field of sleep medicine and helping build a foundation for the future of sleep. Your membership dues allow the academy to advance the field through research and advocacy efforts. Your support also goes towards legislative advocacy efforts to ensure that the board certified sleep medicine physician remains in the center of care for patients with sleep disorders.
Study links early high school start times to increased teen car crashes
A new study suggests that teen drivers who start class earlier in the morning are involved in significantly more motor vehicle accidents than peers with a later high school start time.
Teens with earlier school start times have higher crash rates
A new study suggests that teen drivers who start class earlier in the morning are involved in significantly more motor vehicle accidents than peers with a later high school start time. The results underscore the importance of the “Awake at the Wheel” campaign of the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project.
HuffPost article by AASM president highlights dangers of drowsy driving
Earlier this week a Huffington Post Healthy Living article by AASM President Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler brought attention to the dangers of drowsy driving and urged drivers to stay Awake at the Wheel. Drowsy driving prevention is a pillar of the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project, which is funded by the CDC and led by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine in collaboration with other partners.
Study shows that adult insomnia risk is foreshadowed by anxiety and depression
The November issue of SLEEP includes the results of a four-decade, longitudinal study from New Zealand, which found that individuals who struggle with lifelong depression and anxiety beginning in childhood are uniquely susceptible to insomnia in early midlife. Other disorders did not predict adulthood insomnia.
One night of sleep deprivation impairs neurobehavioral performance of teens
An Australian study in the November issue of SLEEP shows that one night of total sleep deprivation significantly worsened attention, reaction speed, cognitive processing speed, and subjective sleepiness among healthy adolescents. According to the authors, daytime impairment caused by sleep loss puts teens at risk of poor academic performance as well as accidents and injuries.
Study links short sleep duration to memory impairment in older adults
A longitudinal study of older Chinese adults found that those with a self-reported, habitual short sleep duration of five hours or less had a significantly increased risk of developing memory impairment during a mean follow-up period of four years. The association remained significant after excluding those with poor self-reported health. The results are published in the November issue of SLEEP.
Type 2 diabetes screening recommended for adults with sleep apnea
New recommendations recognize obstructive sleep apnea and chronic sleep deprivation as emerging risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. The Guiding Principles for the Care of People With or at Risk for Diabetes recommend that screening should be considered in adults of any age who are overweight or obese and have one or more additional risk factors such as OSA.
MOC Modules – Learn at your own pace and earn credit today
AASM Maintenance of Certification (MOC) is a recertification solution tailored to the needs of sleep medicine physicians. Take advantage of the self-directed programs allowing you to learn at your pace, and earn MOC credit from modules offered at a 50 percent discount to AASM members. AASM MOC is currently only for physicians boarded under the ABIM and the ABPN. Learn more today at www.aasmnet.org/MOC.
Subscribe to the AASM Scoring Manual for 2015
Renew your Scoring Manual Subscription today and receive multi-platform digital access through the end of 2015. For only $25 you can continue year-round use of this regularly updated, essential sleep scoring resource for sleep medicine professionals. Current subscribers have the option to purchase a printed copy for an additional $25. Renew today for full access through 2015.
Renew today – your membership will help us advance sleep medicine in 2015
Join us in celebrating the AASM’s 40th Anniversary in 2015 and be a part of the framework that will allow us to advance the field of sleep medicine together. By renewing your membership, you retain the many benefits of AASM membership and continue to contribute to the future of sleep medicine by positively impacting your profession. Renew your AASM membership today and help further the advancement of sleep medicine for tomorrow.
AASM president participates on expert panel for National Geographic event
On Thursday evening, Nov. 13, American Academy of Sleep Medicine President Dr. Timothy Morgenthaler will participate on an expert discussion panel following the premiere screening in Washington, D.C., of Sleepless in America, a film that will be broadcast on the National Geographic Channel at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, Nov. 30. Dr. Morgenthaler and other sleep experts will join National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins for a panel discussion about sleep science and the importance of sleep for public health and safety.
CMS finalizes 2015 payment and policies for sleep medicine.
On Oct. 31, 2014 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, 2015. The AASM has published supplemental resources with more information about the final rule.
Newly revamped online application streamlines AASM Accreditation process; New Corporate Accreditation program
The online application for AASM Accreditation has received a complete overhaul to deliver a smooth and approachable experience for sleep centers, practices and DME companies seeking accreditation
Hypnogram: Exploring new frontiers in sleep medicine in 2015
As a sleep specialist I’m thankful that space is not necessarily the “final frontier,” despite what the iconic introduction of the Star Trek TV series would have you believe. Today sleep physicians and scientists have numerous frontiers to explore in an exciting era of genomics, big data, personalized medicine, and patient-centered outcomes. Yet as I reflect on the approaching 40th anniversary of the AASM in 2015, my thoughts keep drifting back to space.
National Diabetes Month: Type 2 diabetics have high risk for sleep apnea
In recognition of November as National Diabetes Month, the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project is advising everyone with Type 2 diabetes to be aware of their high risk for obstructive sleep apnea.
Study suggests that sleep apnea may reduce male fertility
A study in the November issue of SLEEP suggests that the intermittent hypoxia associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could induce fertility reduction in male patients. The study mimicked OSA in a case-control comparison using a mouse model. According to a commentary on the study, a possible “sperm crisis” may be occurring, due in part to the increasing incidence in sleep disturbance.
USPSTF posts final research plan on screening for OSA
Last week the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a final research plan on screening for obstructive sleep apnea in adults. The research plan will be used to guide a systematic review of the evidence, which will form the basis of a USPSTF recommendation statement on this topic.
Honda raises awareness of narcolepsy in new PSA
In collaboration with patient advocacy groups, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has produced new public service announcements encouraging people with narcolepsy symptoms to talk to a sleep specialist for help. The PSAs will debut this weekend, including a broadcast Friday evening, Nov. 7, on HGTV.