Slower health care spending largely attributed to weak economy
The recession and the slow recovery from it are the major driving forces behind a recent slowdown in health care spending, while higher patient cost-sharing and other changes to the health system play a smaller role, according to a study released Monday by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Altarum Institute.
Senate leader states concern about ACA implementation
During a Senate Finance hearing, Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.) warned Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that her department has not adequately informed the public and small businesses about the Affordable Care Act, which he stated could result in a "train wreck" during its implementation. The Senator cited a March Kaiser Family Foundation poll that found large percentages of respondents believe inaccurate information regarding the ACA's provisions. In the poll, sixty-seven percent of uninsured respondents under age 65 and 68% of respondents with annual household incomes under $40,000 said they have an inadequate understanding of the law.
New coding education program from the AASM
The AASM Coding Education Program (A-CEP) is a comprehensive online coding program for sleep medicine that makes learning coding and billing basics easy for office staff and technologists.
Board Review Course registration now open
In 2011, only 64 percent of the individuals who took the sleep medicine exam passed. As the leader in sleep medicine education, the AASM has the essential Sleep Medicine Board Review materials and courses to prepare you for success!
Visit the SLEEP 2013 Baltimore page!
This year’s home to SLEEP 2013 is the Baltimore Convention Center. Located in the Inner Harbor neighborhood, the Baltimore Convention Center is only steps away from a variety of fine dining, cultural experiences, shopping, historical landmarks and exciting nightlife. While you are in town for SLEEP 2013, we encourage you to visit the many attractions that Baltimore has to offer. Visit our Baltimore page at the SLEEP 2013 website to start planning your visit today!
Apply for the ASMF Strategic Research Award
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) is pleased to announce the 2013 Strategic Research Award. This request for proposals (RFP) is aimed at soliciting high quality grant proposals that would propose research aimed at improving quality of health care delivery in the field of sleep medicine.
AASM demands changes to Cigna’s sleep testing policy
Recently, Cigna Healthcare announced an update to its national medical policy for sleep testing. The new policy, which took effect February 15, 2013 requires preauthorization for all sleep related services.
Congratulations New Fellow Members of the AASM!
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 the following new Fellow Members.
Panel proposes high priority future research needs for OSA diagnosis and treatment
The April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine includes a special article proposing future research needs related to the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
Study finds improved neurobehavioral performance during the wake maintenance zone
A new study found that performance was significantly improved, despite a longer time awake, in the wake maintenance zone, a three-hour window of reduced sleep propensity that occurs shortly before the onset of melatonin secretion.
Sleep apnea severity is higher in African-American men
A study in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that obstructive sleep apnea severity is higher in African-American men than Caucasian men in certain age ranges, even after controlling for body mass index (BMI).
FDA selects narcolepsy as one disease area for patient-focused drug development
In a statement published in the Federal Register on April 11, the Food and Drug Administration announced that narcolepsy was selected as one of the disease areas to be addressed during the first three years of Patient-Focused Drug Development.
SLEEP 2013 abstract book now online
The SLEEP abstract supplement for SLEEP 2013, the 27th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS), is available for download on the Journal SLEEP website and at www.sleepmeeting.org. This comprehensive resource contains the research abstracts that will be presented at SLEEP 2013 in Baltimore in June.
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.
Sleep Medicine Board Review Course and Cram Courses
In 2011, only 64% of the individuals who took the sleep medicine exam passed. As the leader in sleep medicine education, the AASM has the essential Sleep Medicine Board Review courses to prepare you for success! Register today to take part in the Sleep Medicine Board Review Course; a two-and-a-half-day comprehensive review of sleep medicine which will take place at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver, Colorado from August 2-4, 2013.
Purchase your Take Me Out to the Ballgame welcome reception tickets today
Don’t strike out! Touch base with attendees while supporting future sleep research on June 2, 2013 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at the Hilton Baltimore Hotel.
Editorial explores the changing face of sleep medicine
In the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, an editorial by Stuart Quan, MD, and Lawrence Epstein, MD, discusses the implications of the recent closing of Sleep HealthCenters, one of the largest sleep medicine practices in the country.
Hypnogram: Election Results
After becoming a student member in 1994, my level of involvement in the AASM steadily increased as I volunteered on committees, served on the Board of Directors, and was elected as president. This experience has greatly contributed to my personal and professional growth, giving me the pleasure of working closely with likeminded colleagues to help advance the field of sleep medicine.
CMS announces round 2 and National Mail Order competitive bid contracts
On April 9 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced contract suppliers for the Round 2 and National Mail Order programs of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program.
Updated Humana policy identifies PAP NAP studies as not separately reimbursable
Humana has published an updated coverage determination for adult sleep studies. The new policy details the payer’s stance on coverage of PAP NAPs - the daytime, abbreviated cardio-respiratory sleep studies to acclimated patients to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy.
HHS official touts progress on ACA’s federal exchange
Director Gary Cohen of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) said that HHS is making progress on the logistical and technological aspects of creating a federal insurance exchange under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). CCIIO is charged with helping implement many of the provisions in the ACA and they work closely with governors, state insurance commissioners, consumers, and other stakeholders on this initiative. About 900 insurers have already indicated their interest to market their plans in the online marketplace.
Analysis of President Obama’s budget proposal
As reported last week, President Obama released his $3.77 trillion budget proposal for fiscal year 2014, which includes $400 billion in spending cuts to health care and would raise taxes on higher-income individuals.
Study shows severity of sleep apnea is influenced by race
A new study suggests that obstructive sleep apnea severity is higher in African-American men in certain age ranges, even after controlling for body mass index (BMI).
CDC data show that self-reported hypertension is on the rise
On April 5 the CDC reported that from 2005 to 2009, the prevalence of self-reported hypertension among U.S. adults increased from 25.8 to 28.3 percent. Among those with self-reported hypertension, use of antihypertensive medications increased from 61.1 to 62.6 percent.
More sleep is associated with reduced BMI in teens
A study of teens published online in Pediatrics on April 8 found that each additional hour of sleep was associated with a reduced body mass index (BMI), especially for teens with higher BMIs. Increasing sleep from 7.5 to 10.0 hours per day at age 18 predicted a reduction in the proportion of overweight adolescents by 4 percent.