CMS announces possible delays to payment rules publication
CMS is continuing to assess the impact of the government shutdown on 2014 Medicare fee for service payment regulations. CMS has announced that it will publish the calendar year 2014 Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) on or before November 27, 2013.
ICD-10 transition – are you ready?
On October 1, 2014 providers are required to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 coding. While this deadline has been extended numerous times over the past few years, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is adamant that the 2014 date is final.
AASM membership renewals now open – receive 14 percent off products
The AASM is now accepting renewal applications for the 2014 membership year. Renew your 2014 AASM membership anytime from now until December 31, 2013 and receive 14% off all your product purchases made on the AASM online store.
Register today for the AASM 2014 Winter Course
Join us at the two-and-a-half-day AASM 2014 Winter Course: Emerging Clinical and Business Trends in Sleep Medicine on February 21-23, 2014. An expert faculty will highlight topics and emerging trends in several areas, including legal, regulatory and business aspects of sleep medicine, diagnosing and managing sleep disorders and models of care.
Friday is the final day to be a host site for the Mini-Fellowship for International Scholars
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is accepting host site applications for the 2014 Mini-Fellowship Program for International Scholars. This extended five-week program provides practical training in clinical sleep medicine to international physicians from lower-income countries, so they may develop or improve sleep health care in their home countries.
Time change provides chance to prioritize sleep
The end of daylight saving time at 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 3, provides a chance for millions of sleep-deprived Americans to reprioritize sleep, says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).
SLEEP 2014 abstract and session proposal submissions now open
The APSS is now accepting abstracts and session proposals for via the SLEEP 2014 website.
WMA updates Declaration of Helsinki
The World Medical Associate has approved new revisions to the Declaration of Helsinki, the ethical guidelines for medical research involving human subjects. The revisions are similar to the draft version that was published in April. A full summary of the updates to the Declaration of Helsinki have been published in JAMA, along with an editorial about the changes.
Registration now open for the AASM 2014 Winter Course
Join us on February 21-23, 2014 for the AASM 2014 Winter Course: Emerging Clinical and Business Trends in Sleep Medicine. During this two-and-a-half-day course, an expert faculty will highlight topics and emerging trends in several areas, including legal, regulatory and business aspects of sleep medicine, diagnosing and managing sleep disorders and models of care.
Analysis examines costs of Medicare CPAP policy
A study in the Oct. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine explored the cost-effectiveness of the current Medicare CPAP coverage policy. Medicare restricts long-term CPAP coverage to those demonstrating adherence during a 90-day trial period and, when the trial fails, requires a repeat in-lab sleep study to authorize another 90-day trial to continue coverage.
Study examines presenting symptoms of pediatric RLS
A study performed in two different regions of Europe examined presenting symptoms in children who have restless legs syndrome. All 31 of the children mentioned an urge to move and sensory symptoms; however, they often described leg discomfort using expressions such as ants in the legs, spiders on the legs, or legs want to kick.
Apply by Nov. 15 for NHLBI grant for technologies to assess sleep health
The application deadline is approaching for a funding opportunity announcement (RFA-HL-14-013) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for a small business innovation research (SBIR) grant for technologies to assess sleep health status in populations.
CDC report suggests adult obesity rate is leveling off
A recent data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics shows that the prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults did not change between 2009–2010 and 2011–2012.
Hypnogram: Two opportunities to serve
As a professional membership society, the AASM offers multiple ways for you to contribute to the advancement of the sleep field through voluntary service. In particular, I want to bring your attention to two noteworthy opportunities.
More than 476K completed ACA applications
Preliminary data provided by the White House shows that approximately 476,000 applications for health insurance have been filed through the Affordable Care Act's federally run and state-operated health insurance exchanges since open enrollment began on October1.
Majority of uninsured residents still unfamiliar with ACA exchanges according to poll
More than seven out of 10 uninsured residents say they are unfamiliar with the Affordable Care Act's insurance exchanges according to a new Gallup poll.
UnitedHealthcare – Medicare advantage actions
The AASM was recently notified that UnitedHealthcare (United) has dropped a number of physician providers from its Medicare Advantage plans. United notified physicians of this change by letter. Contract termination is effective in early 2014.
Free shipping on all orders over $200!
The AASM now offers FREE shipping on all orders over $200; no promo code required! Just fill your cart to $200 and we will take care of the shipping cost. This is the perfect chance to see what’s new in the online store.
SLEEP 2014 abstract & session proposal submissions opens Oct. 28
The SLEEP 2014 call for abstracts and session proposals site will open on Monday, October 28, 2013. Showcase your findings at SLEEP 2014! Ensure that your scientific research is seen by leading physicians and researchers in the field by submitting an abstract for poster or oral presentation.
Stay up to date with the new models of health care on Nov. 2-3
Join us at the Successfully Navigating Reimbursement for Sleep Medicine Course for an in depth discussion of new payment models and tips for communicating with payers.
AASM invites members to declare interest in serving on Board of Directors
The composition of the Board of Directors includes eight Directors who are elected by the membership. In 2014 the AASM will have two openings for service as a Director. One position will be a three-year appointment, and one will be a two-year appointment to compete an unexpired term. Both terms for the newly elected Directors will begin in June at SLEEP 2014. Service as a Director requires an extensive time commitment, including attendance at five face-to-face meetings during the year and participation on conference calls as necessary.
Applications now accepted for host sites for the 2014 Mini-Fellowship for International Scholars
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is accepting host site applications for the 2014 Mini-Fellowship Program for International Scholars. This extended five-week program provides practical training in clinical sleep medicine to international physicians from lower-income countries, so they may develop or improve sleep health care in their home countries.
Applications now accepted for host sites for the 2014 Mini-Fellowship for International Scholars
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is accepting host site applications for the 2014 Mini-Fellowship Program for International Scholars. This extended five-week program provides practical training in clinical sleep medicine to international physicians from lower-income countries, so they may develop or improve sleep health care in their home countries.
Untreated sleep apnea increases risk of motor vehicle crashes
A study of 2,673 patients in Australia found that untreated obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk of motor vehicle crashes in very sleepy men as well as near-misses in men and women. Participants with untreated OSA reported crashes at a rate three times higher than the general community. The results are published in the Oct. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Study links severe sleep apnea with high mortality risk
A study of 2,240 adults is the first to examine the link between obstructive sleep apnea and mortality in Asians. Results in the Oct. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine show that all-cause mortality risk was 2.5 times higher and cardiovascular mortality risk was more than four times higher among people with severe OSA. The results are consistent with previous studies in the U.S. and other countries.