PQRS reporting deadline approaching
The deadline to submit for your 2012 PQRS incentives is March 14, 2013. The AASM now offers an easy solution to PQRS reporting through CECity’s PQRIwizard for only $225!
One month left to save – Register today for the Spring Course
Physicians and their support staff will learn the clinical and practical guidelines associated with providing durable medical equipment (DME) to patients at the AASM Spring Course: Implementing DME in Your Practice.
Haven’t Renewed? Your Membership is About to Lapse!
If you have not renewed for 2013, your AASM membership will lapse on March 1, 2013. Renew by February 28, 2013 to stay listed in and receive the 2013-2014 AASM Membership Directory, and continue accessing your member benefits. Your dues fund the promotion of quality patient care, professional and public education, research, and health policy initiatives with national and state legislation and insurers. Commit to the future of sleep medicine by renewing today.
Membership sections committee publishes newsletter
Learn about the activities of the AASM Membership Sections through the second issue of the Membership Sections Newsletter! This issue highlights ongoing projects, new research and original articles.
FDA warns against using codeine in children after surgery for OSA
In a safety announcement posted Wednesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new actions being taken to address a known safety concern with codeine use in certain children after tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy.
Call for SLEEP 2013 Late-Breaking Abstracts
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS) will be accepting late-breaking abstract submissions for presentation at SLEEP 2013. Late-breaking abstracts should include high quality emerging data found between December 2012 and March 2013.
FOA request on obesity related behaviors
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) National Institute on Aging (NIA) National Cancer Institute (NCI) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) have issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for obesity research. The R01 (PA-13-110) requests proposals to evaluate large scale policy or programs that are expected to influence obesity related behaviors and weight outcomes in an effort to prevent or reduce obesity. Standard dates apply.
Study of insomnia finds a new predictor for suicidal thoughts
A new study confirms a link between insomnia and thoughts of suicide and suggests that this relationship is mediated by dysfunctional beliefs and attitudes about sleep as well as nightmares. The study suggests that the targeted assessment and treatment of specific sleep problems may reduce the risk of suicide in people with depressive symptoms.
AASM members discuss sleep and memory on Science Friday
On Friday, Feb. 8, AASM members Michael Silber, MBChB, and David Dinges, PhD, were among the experts who discussed sleep and memory on Science Friday, a weekly science talk show that is broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide as part of NPR's Talk of the Nation programming.
2012 a record-breaking year for fraud and abuse recoveries
In a Feb. 11 press release, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the publication of the HHS and Department of Justice joint report on their Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program. The report indicates that government teams recovered $4.2 Billion in fiscal year 2012. According to the press release, “for every dollar spent on health care-related fraud and abuse investigations in the last three years, the government recovered $7.90. This is the highest three-year average return on investment in the 16-year history of the Health Care Fraud and Abuse (HCFAC) Program.”
CMS issues rule finalizing “Sunshine” act
On Feb. 1, 2013, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule describing the National Physician Payment Transparency Program, often referred to as the “Sunshine” rule. The rule finalized procedures and processes whereby manufactures or drugs, devices, biologicals, or medical supplies provided under Medicare, Medicaid or CHIP must” report annually to the Secretary certain payments or transfers of value provided to physicians or teaching hospitals.”
SLEEP 2013 preliminary program now available
Attendees can jump-start their SLEEP 2013 experience by viewing the online version of the Preliminary Program for information on postgraduate courses, scientific sessions and keynote speakers for the only five-day meeting with scientific content and an exhibition hall focused solely on sleep medicine and sleep research.
Call for Volunteers to serve on AASM Committees
Are you looking to expand your professional knowledge, network with colleagues and contribute to the continued growth of the sleep medicine field? Consider participating on a standing committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Volunteer committee members provide an invaluable service to the organization and 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.
Final Rule on Essential Health Benefits (EHBs) to be released soon
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is conducting a final review of the essential health benefit (EHB) regulations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Under the ACA, health plans in state health insurance exchanges must provide coverage for 10 broad categories of benefits, such as maternity care, prescription drugs and preventive care. HHS in November 2012 released a proposed rule on the minimum benefits.
Some lawmakers willing to allow sequester to take effect
Some lawmakers recently have suggested that they might allow mandated spending cuts under sequestration, which includes a 2 percent reduction to Medicare reimbursement rates, to take effect on March 1. The mandated cuts involve about $1 trillion in across-the-board reductions. In January, President Obama signed legislation that delayed the cuts by two months.
Lawmakers propose bill to permanently repeal sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula
Representative’s Joe Heck (R-Nev.) and Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) unveiled legislation (HR 574) that would permanently repeal the sustainable growth rate formula (SGR), which sets Medicare physician reimbursement rates.
AHRQ director plans to step down later this year
Carolyn Clancy, MD, is planning to step down as AHRQ director later this year. One of 12 agencies within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality strives to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.
HHS releases long-awaited HIPAA final rule
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a final rule to expand the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The effective date of the final rule is March 26, 2013, and covered entities and business associates have 180 days after the effective date to comply with the final rule provisions.
Share your success in telemedicine – submit your suggestions to the AASM
The AASM has long been committed to educating members on future sleep care trends. The AASM is currently gathering information on state and federal laws and reimbursement policies for telemedicine services. The objective is to provide our members information on how to integrate telemedicine in a sleep practice. The AASM would also like to hear from our members who have a successful telemedicine program and willing to share your success with your colleagues.
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
Start your Maintenance of Certification now
The AASM is committed to helping our members maintain their specialty and subspecialty certifications, which is why we’ve created AASM MOC: Assessment for Sleep Medicine with special member pricing! Earn Part II credits and CME from ABIM and ABPN with the AASM MOC – General Sleep Disorders Module. Upon completion, you will be able to compare your results to all other individuals who have taken the module.
New course: Implementing DME in Your Practice
Physicians and their support staff will learn the clinical and practical guidelines associated with providing durable medical equipment (DME) to patients at the AASM Spring Course: Implementing DME in Your Practice. During this one-and-a-half-day course, sessions will focus on current limitations, regulations, ownership options, staff policies, PAP adherence and DME accreditation.
SLEEP 2013 ticketed sessions are filling up quickly – register today to reserve your space
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. Remember, SLEEP 2013 general session registration is required to attend these sessions.
NIH committee meeting Feb. 25-26 to discuss sleep research plan
The NIH Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board will host a meeting Feb. 25-26 to discuss and provide updates on sleep and circadian research developments and the NIH sleep research plan.
Request for research into disease risk linked to maternal sleep disturbances
The National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) have announced a funding opportunity (FOA) that may interest sleep and circadian researchers.