Seats still available for Sunday Sleep Medicine cram courses
The Sleep Medicine Exam Cram Courses offer a concentrated, one-day session where attendees will take an interactive approach to reviewing the topics covered on the exam including sample questions, using an audience response system to poll the attendees and in-depth discussions on correct answers for each question.
APA recognizes sleep psychology as a specialty in professional psychology
A petition from the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine for sleep psychology to be recognized as a specialty was approved recently by the American Psychological Association. The recognition remains valid until 2020, when the APA will conduct a review for renewal of recognition.
IOM workshop discusses partnering with patients for better health
On Aug. 15 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies posted the proceedings from a February 2013 workshop, “Partnering with Patients to Drive Shared Decisions, Better Value, and Care Improvement.” Attendees discussed how patients and families can be empowered to become active partners in their health care.
Open payments: mandatory reporting began August 1
After two program implementation delays, mandatory reporting under the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, now known as Open Payments began on August 1, 2013. The Open Payments program is a provision under the Affordable Care Act which requires disclosure of transfer of value such as payments, gifts and investments made by medical device manufacturers and drug companies to physicians.
Editorial challenges corporate America to promote sleep health
It’s time for corporate America to begin promoting sleep health in the workplace, according to an editorial in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The authors note that insufficient sleep continues to be a widespread health problem despite increased scientific knowledge and public awareness regarding the importance of sleep. Major corporations can help make sleep health a part of our social fabric by implementing sleep friendly policies.
Risk of death is lower in people with COPD and OSA who use CPAP
A new study in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy reduces the mortality rate in people who have both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Results show that even minimal use of CPAP was associated with some reduction in the risk of death, and this benefit increased with more nightly hours of CPAP therapy.
In focus: FDA scrutiny of sleep aids and driving impairment
A new commentary from the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research provides the context for recent FDA decisions focusing on zolpidem and driving impairment. Published online in the New England Journal of Medicine on Aug. 7, the editorial provides an overview of the FDA’s efforts to understand how the risk of driving impairment related to zolpidem can vary among individuals.
Oregon will limit initial access to exchange website
Oregon's state-based health insurance exchange will launch on October1 as planned, but state residents will not initially be able to enroll in coverage on their own. Oregon is the first to announce a delay to its exchange, prompting concerns that other states might also be struggling to finish work on their exchanges before open enrollment begins.
Half of residents will be eligible for federal subsidies according to study
Nearly half of all residents who currently purchase their own health insurance will be eligible for federal subsidies through the Affordable Care Act's health insurance exchanges in 2014, reports a recent Kaiser Family Foundation study.
ACA exchange ‘navigator’ grants to be announced
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Health and Human Services Department will announce on August 15 how it will distribute $54 million in grants through the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) insurance exchange "navigator" program. The announcement leaves "just 32 business days" for officials in nearly three dozen states to hire and train thousands of workers.
Congratulations to new AASM fellow member
Fellow status in the AASM is a unique honor which recognizes special competency in sleep medicine and significant contributions to the field. We are pleased to welcome Jack D Gardner, MD, FAASM as a new Fellow Member.
Preparation resources for the Sleep Medicine Board Exam
Prepare for the upcoming Board Exam in Sleep Medicine with the essential resources for your studies from the leading voice in the field of sleep medicine.
Limited space available – Sleep Medicine Exam Cram Courses
The Sleep Medicine Exam Cram Courses offer a concentrated, one-day session where attendees will take an interactive approach to reviewing the topics covered on the exam including sample questions, using an audience response system to poll the attendees and in-depth discussions on correct answers for each question.
New must-attend courses – register today
Join our expert faculty for two all-new courses this fall! Managing Sleep Disorders in Patients with Co-morbid Conditions on October 5-6, 2013 will provide physicians with the knowledge of when and how patients with co-morbidities should be treated for their sleep disorders
Hypnogram: Vision and mission
The Board of Directors recently reviewed and recalibrated the AASM vision and mission statements as part of a strategic planning process.
CPAP reduces risk of death in people with COPD and sleep apnea
A new study suggests that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy reduces the mortality rate in people who have both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which the authors refer to as “the overlap syndrome.”
AASM partners with CBS Analyst Aaron Taylor to educate football players about OSA
With the football season about to kick off, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is launching a new campaign to help parents, coaches and school administrators recognize the dangers of obstructive sleep apnea. Young football players, especially offensive and defensive lineman, are at an increasingly high risk of sleep apnea.
CBS Sports college football analyst Aaron Taylor, a former offensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers, is helping the AASM promote sleep apnea awareness. Taylor is successfully treating his own sleep apnea and has noticed a significant improvement in his health and quality of life. His goal is to encourage young athletes to seek testing and treatment as early as possible, so that they can improve their performance and live longer, healthier lives.
Young football players getting bigger, developing higher risk of sleep apnea
As high school and college football teams continue practicing for he fall season, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is advising parents, coaches and school administrators that young football players are at increasingly higher risk of sleep apnea. Those with the greatest risk, especially offensive and defensive lineman who are heavier and have larger necks, should be evaluated by a board-certified sleep medicine physician.
SleepWorks earns Approved OCST Supplier designation
The AASM congratulates SleepWorks LLC, which recently earned the Approved OCST Supplier designation from the AASM. A directory of Approved OCST Suppliers is available on the AASM website.
Lawmakers target fraud, spending in Medicare
Representatives Jim McDermott, D-Wash and Kevin Brady, R-Texas, who serve on the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, have reintroduced a 2010 bill that would strengthen federal efforts to combat Medicare payment fraud.
Physician groups concerned with provision in House ‘Doc Fix’ bill
Although physician groups are generally satisfied with legislation that will gradually repeal the sustainable growth rate formula, the groups expressed concern about a provision that would allow non-physicians to operate medical homes.
New course! Successfully Navigating Reimbursement for Sleep Medicine
Register today for the new AASM fall course, Successfully Navigating Reimbursement for Sleep Medicine, to improve your knowledge of coding processes, current sleep medicine codes, incentive programs and working with payers.
Seats filling quickly for the Sleep Medicine Exam Cram Courses
Need more one-on-one prep time? Register for one of the Sleep Medicine Exam Cram Courses for a concentrated, one-day cram course where attendees will take an interactive approach to reviewing the topics covered on the exam including sample exam questions, using an audience response system to poll the attendees and in-depth discussions on correct answers for each question.
Download purchased SLEEP 2013 course books before 8/30
If you have purchased any of the SLEEP 2013 Postgraduate Course Books, please make sure you have downloaded the books from your AASM account before they expire on August 30, 2013.
Sleepless nights lead to more conflict, less empathy in relationships
A new study has emerged indicating that those in relationships who consistently experience poor sleep are more likely to engage in conflict with their partners. The proven emotional consequences of sleep disorders only add to the known physical risks – which include increased likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease, hypertension or diabetes – and support the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s (AASM) recommendation to obtain diagnosis and treatment from a sleep specialist.