CMS Office of the Actuary reports decreased growth in health spending
In a Jan. 7 report the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of the Actuary explained that health care spending grew at a rate of 3.7 percent in 2012.
Advanced registration approaching for the 2014 Trends Course
The advance registration deadline to save for the Sleep Medicine Trends 2014: Emerging Clinical and Business Topics course is Jan. 24 Seats are limited and are filling quickly.
Study supports a causal role in narcolepsy for a common genetic variant
A new study conducted across Europe found an extraordinary association between narcolepsy and a specific gene variant related to the immune system.
Case puts spotlight on tonsillectomy as a treatment for pediatric sleep apnea
Doctors have declared that 13-year-old Jahi McMath of Oakland, Calif., is brain dead after suffering complications from a recent tonsillectomy to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The surgical procedure is attracting renewed scrutiny because of the case, reports The Washington Post. Recently, a randomized trial compared early adenotonsillectomy with a strategy of watchful waiting with supportive care for children with sleep apnea. The authors concluded that the study provided evidence of beneficial effects of early adenotonsillectomy.
Editorial by Francis Collins calls for a greater investment in biomedical research
Last week in The Washington Post, an editorial by National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, argued that biomedical research is an investment in the nation’s health.
SGR cuts delayed – Obama signs pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013
On Dec. 26, 2013, President Obama signed into law the Pathway for SGR Reform Act of 2013. The new law prevents the substantial payment cuts previously expected to go into effect Jan. 1, 2014.
More than half of your colleagues have renewed, join them – renew today
The AASM counts on member support to bring the many initiatives offered to members and the sleep medicine community as a whole. In 2013, the AASM was able to update the Scoring Manual, the Accreditation Reference Manual and the Technologist’s Handbook for Understanding and Implementing the Scoring Manual.
SLEEP 2014 registration opens Jan. 13
Registration for SLEEP 2014 opens for everyone on Monday, Jan. 13.
Spaces are filling fast for the 2014 Trends Course
Seats are limited and are filling quickly for the Sleep Medicine Trends 2014: Emerging Clinical and Business Topics course. This course will be held on February 21-23, 2014 at the historic Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix.
FAA delays sleep apnea policy
The Federal Aviation Administration will delay the implementation of a new obstructive sleep apnea policy, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reported Dec. 19.
Study suggests night owls have greater genetic risk of binge drinking
A new study suggests that differences in circadian rhythm may be an important and understudied pathway of risk for genetic influences on alcohol use.
Study examines how sleep deprivation changes saliva composition
A study in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine examined changes in salivary biomarkers of physical fatigue during a period of sleep deprivation.
Mark your calendars for SLEEP 2014 registration
Registration for SLEEP 2014 opens for everyone on Monday January 13! Visit the SLEEP 2014 website for the most up-to-date information including early-bird deadlines, registration fees and official SLEEP 2014 housing information.
Register today for the 2014 trends course
AASM members - take advantage of discounted pricing for the Sleep Medicine Trends 2014: Emerging Clinical and Business Topics course.
Make sure to renew your Scoring Manual subscription today
Scoring Manual subscriptions will expire on 12/31/13 be sure to renew your subscription today to continue your access in 2014.
Notify local high schools about the ASMF Sleep Story Video Contest
AASM members can help the American Sleep Medicine Foundation promote the 2014 ASMF High School Video Contest. Download the contest flier and distribute it to high schools, teachers and teens in your area.
Hypnogram: A new era for JCSM
A decade ago the American Academy of Sleep Medicine established the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine as a relevant and practical resource for sleep clinicians. The peer-reviewed journal quickly filled an important niche in the field by providing new research and a forum for timely debates and commentaries focused on applied sleep science and sleep medicine.
AASM and Huffington Post share healthy sleep message on Twitter
Last week the Huffington Post’s Healthy Living held an online Twitter chat with AASM President Dr. M. Safwan Badr to discuss the importance of healthy sleep.
Aaron Taylor’s sleep apnea story featured in USA Today supplement
CBS Sports analyst and former NFL player Aaron Taylor continues to partner with the AASM to raise public awareness of sleep apnea. Last weekend’s edition of USA Today included a special supplement with a cover story highlighting how CPAP therapy has changed Aaron’s life.
PCORI funding awarded to Sleep Apnea Patient-Centered Outcomes Network
Earlier this week the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) approved $93.5 million to support 29 clinical research data networks.
Study examines reasons for CPAP adherence among teens
Health education, peer support groups, and developmentally appropriate individualized support strategies may be important in promoting CPAP therapy adherence among adolescents with obstructive sleep apnea, according to a qualitative study published in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Sleep apnea linked to PTSD and depression risk among veterans
A database review of outpatient medical records from almost 2.5 million veterans with obesity found that those with obstructive sleep apnea weremore likely to receive a diagnosis of a mood or anxiety disorder.
Study links CPAP therapy with improved golf performance
A new study in the Dec. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that middle-aged men with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) canimprove their golf score by using CPAP therapy.
Donate to the AASM PAC to support sleep initiatives in government
The AASM continues to move forward with federal initiatives that will benefit our Medicare patients and ensure that the future of the sleep medicine profession is protected. AASM members can support these important initiatives by donating to the AASM PAC.
Expanded medicare physician fee schedule resources now available
On Nov. 25, 2013 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the display copy of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule.