Final days to renew your membership
This is the last week to renew your membership for 2014. If you have not renewed your membership on or before February 28th, your membership will lapse and you will lose access to important member benefits.
Late-breaking abstract deadline only two weeks away
The APSS will be accepting late-breaking abstract submissions for presentation at SLEEP 2014. Late-breaking abstracts should include high quality emerging data found between December 2013 and March 2014.
ICSD-3 available now in the AASM Resource Library
The ICSD-3 is available today. When you purchase your digital copy of the ICSD-3, you also receive free access on your mobile devices via the AASM Resource Library app! The app, available for Apple iOS and Android devices, allows you to view the ICSD-3 and other AASM references without an internet connection.
New FAQs added to the Practice Management website
New frequently asked questions are now available on the AASM Practice Management section.
CMS agrees to offer end-to-end testing of ICD-10 claims
In anticipation of the October 1, 2014 ICD-10 implementation deadline, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will conduct end-to-end testing of ICD-10 claims prior to the implementation date. A Medicare Learning Network article, also released this week, describes CMS’s phased approach to testing.
People with narcolepsy may confuse dreams with reality
People with narcolepsy may confuse dreams with reality A brief report in the February issue of the journal SLEEP suggests that it may be common for people with narcolepsy to mistake the memory of a dream for a real experience.
Sleep apnea screening should be considered in multiple sclerosis patients
A study in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that one-fifth of multiple sclerosis patients surveyed in a large tertiary MS practice had been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, and more than half were found to have an elevated risk for OSA based on a validated screening tool.
Eight AASM members achieve Fellow Members status
We are pleased to welcome eight members who recently achieved the honor of fellow member, which recognizes special competency in sleep medicine and significant contributions to the field.
Renew your Scoring Manual subscription
Be sure you are referencing the most current version of the AASM Scoring Manual. Renew your subscription today for access in 2014. Individuals who subscribe now will have access through December 2014.
One week left to renew your membership
There is only one week left to renew your membership for 2014. If you have not renewed your membership on or before February 28th, your membership will lapse and you will lose access to important member benefits.
SLEEP 2014 ticketed sessions are selling fast
Don't miss your opportunity to attend add-on sessions like Meet the Professor, Postgraduate Courses and Lunch Debates. These sessions have limited seating and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Volunteer on an AASM committee, council or task force
Are you looking to expand your professional knowledge, network with colleagues and contribute to the continued growth of the sleep medicine field? Consider serving on a standing committee or as a membership section chair. Volunteers provide an invaluable service to the AASM and its membership by contributing to initiatives and projects that are critical to the continued development of the field and also gain professional enrichment through the diverse activities of a committee or section.
Study suggests sleep apnea may contribute to fatigue in multiple sclerosis
A new study provides evidence that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), and it suggests that OSA may be a contributor to the fatigue - one of the most common and debilitating symptoms of MS.
JCSM editor search: applications due Feb. 20
Qualified candidates have one week to apply for the position of editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The editor-in-chief will be responsible for continuing to ensure the highest possible scientific and editorial quality for JCSM while promoting a rapid review and publication process.
ACGME releases new expectations for residency training
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) recently released new expectations for residency training programs entitled Pathways to Excellence.
Severe RLS may be early feature of Parkinson’s disease in men
Men with severe restless legs syndrome had a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in the first four years of follow-up, but not in the full eight years of follow-up
Daytime sleepiness in children linked to pedestrian safety risk
A study utilizing a virtual reality pedestrian environment found that children with excessive daytime sleepiness were twice as likely as healthy controls to be struck or nearly hit by a vehicle.
Tobacco smoke exposure predicts sleep apnea severity in children
A study in the February issue of SLEEP found a novel association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and obstructive sleep apnea severity in children, independent of race.
Market report: APAP will surpass CPAP for sleep apnea in 2015
Efforts to contain the costs of treating obstructive sleep apnea will drive U.S. shipments of autotitrating positive airway pressure (APAP) devices to surpass those of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines in 2015, according to a new report from IHS Technology.
AASM encourages lawmakers to repeal and replace SGR
A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers introduced legislation (H.R.4015/ S.2000) to repeal and replace Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and gradually implement a value-based payment system.
OIG publishes 2014 Work Plan
This month, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) published its annual Work Plan describing the projects and reviews it will undertake in 2014. Sleep has been featured throughout the OIG Work Plan in recent years.
CMS extends meaningful use deadline
Last week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will extend the deadline for physicians and other eligible professionals to attest to meaningful use for the 2013 reporting year of the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive program.
Renew and update your info before Feb 28th
AASM members – Please review your professional contact information today by logging into the AASM website and clicking on “My Account”.
SLEEP 2014 Preliminary Program is now available
The SLEEP 2014 Preliminary Program is now available at www.sleepmeeting.org. Make your plans today to attend the 28th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS) from May 31 – June 4, 2014 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Last chance to register for Sleep Medicine Trends
This is your last chance to register for Sleep Medicine Trends 2014: Emerging Clinical and Business Topics.