FOA request on substance abuse in U.S. Military personnel and veterans
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) have issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for research on health and prevention programs.
HHS confirms exchanges on schedule
Health and Human Services (HHS) officials said that federally run health insurance exchanges are on schedule for October enrollment. HHS Officials stated that the government is on track to start accepting insurance plan applications in April, and it currently is testing a data hub designed to confirm the eligibility of people seeking insurance in any of the federal exchanges.
Most states lack laws essential to enforcing ACA’s consumer protections
Thirty-nine states have not enacted laws essential to enforcing new consumer protection rules under the Affordable Care Act, raising the possibility of increased federal oversight, according to a survey released Friday by the Commonwealth Fund.
Renew by Feb. 28 to stay listed in the 2013-2014 Membership Directory
You must renew your AASM membership by February 28, 2013 to be included in and receive the 2013-2014 printed Membership Directory. To keep your account active, renew online or call the Membership Department at 630-737-9756.
Sign up for the PQRIwizard webinar today!
The AASM has made receiving your PQRS incentives even easier by offering CECity’s PQRIwizard. Learn how you can still qualify for 2012 PQRS incentives by registering for our free webinar on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from 7:00pm - 8:00pm EST.
SLEEP 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. Your admission ticket gives you access to live music, an extensive selection of hors d'oeuvres and a drink ticket all while enjoying exclusive views into Camden Yards! All proceeds benefit the American Sleep Medicine Foundation and the Sleep Research Society Foundation. Register for SLEEP 2013 and purchase your welcome reception tickets today!
AASM President Sam Fleishman explains new Approved OCST Supplier designation
An introduction to the important new program that the Academy has developed to designate Approved OCST Supplier.
Hypnogram: Revised OCST Accreditation Standards, Approved OCST Suppliers
I want to provide you with important updates about a few AASM initiatives related to out of center sleep testing (OCST) that will empower sleep centers to successfully navigate the changing landscape of sleep medicine. First, the AASM has completed a comprehensive revision of the Standards for Accreditation of Out of Center Sleep Testing (OCST) in Adult Patients. The revisions strengthen the standards in areas such as HIPAA compliance, personnel, equipment maintenance, data reporting and quality assurance. These changes ensure that patients will continue to receive the highest quality of care from OCST suppliers.
Sleep Testing – 2013 Updated Payment Information and New Pediatric Sleep Codes
The 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule was published on Nov.16, 2012. Since that time, as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act enacted on Jan. 2, 2013, the conversion factor rate used to calculate payment for services has been updated. As a result of the Act, the 26% SGR cut was averted and the 2% sequestration cut was delayed for 2 months.
Sleep in the News: AASM president discusses initiative to bring continuity of care to Medicare
In the new issue of Sleep Review, the cover story “Unifying Sleep Care” features a Q&A with AASM president Dr. Sam Fleishman, who describes how the AASM is striving to transform the fragmented model of care for Medicare patients with sleep apnea.
Some manufacturers seek to pass ACA-related fee on to hospital customers
Some medical device manufacturers may pass on the cost of a new medical device tax under the Affordable Care Act to their hospital customers.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announces that he will step down
Earlier this week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced to the employees of the U.S. Department of Transportation that after serving for four years in President Obama’s Cabinet, he would not be staying on for the second term.
Department of Labor extends exchange notification deadline for employers
In a statement posted on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) website, the Department of Labor announced that it has delayed the March 1 deadline for employers to notify workers about health insurance exchanges available under the Affordable Care Act.
AASM launches new Practice Management page with extensive member resources
In January the AASM launched its Practice Management page for sleep-related coding and insurance resources. Members may explore the page to find answers to coding questions, information on private payers and new preauthorization requirements, as well news updates related to coding, billing, reimbursement and payment policy.
Medicare EHR meaningful use attestation: 2012 deadline approaching
The attestation deadline for the 2012 Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program is February 28, 2013. Eligible professionals who participated in the 2012 reporting period are encouraged to register and attest soon to prevent any delay to incentive payments.
AASM MOC: 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.
SLEEP 2013: Sessions filling up quickly – register today to attend sessions like Meet the Professor
Don't miss your opportunity to attend add-on sessions like Meet the Professor, Postgraduate Courses and Lunch Debates when you join us at SLEEP 2013, June 1-5, 2013, in Baltimore, Md. These sessions have limited seating and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis - so register today!
New course! Implementing DME in your practice
Physicians and your 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. This MUST-ATTEND course is from April 20 – April 21, 2013, at the AASM National Office in Darien, IL.
AASM congratulates new Fellow Member
Fellow status in the AASM is a unique honor that recognizes special competency in sleep medicine and significant contributions to the field. We are pleased to welcome Jose Medina, MD, FAASM, as a new Fellow Member.
Application deadlines are in February for three ASMF grant opportunities
Three grant opportunities are now available from the American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF). Complete details and applications for each grant are available at www.discoversleep.org.
In Memoriam: Peter J. Hauri, PhD (1933 – 2013)
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine regrets to announce that Peter J. Hauri, PhD, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn.
Active duty military personnel prone to sleep disorders and short sleep duration
A new study found a high prevalence of sleep disorders and a startlingly high rate of short sleep duration among active duty military personnel. The study suggests the need for a cultural change toward appropriate sleep practices throughout the military.
AASM response to closing of Sleep HealthCenters facilities in New England and Arizona
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine encourages patients who have been affected by the closing of multiple Sleep HealthCenters facilities in New England and Arizona to contact a local AASM accredited sleep disorders center to make arrangements for the immediate transition of their medical care.
NCCAM requests research on symptom management in military and veteran populations
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for Competitive Revision Applications for Research on Complementary Approaches to Symptom Management in Military and Veteran Populations (R01). The FOA (PA-13-075) encourages competitive revision applications to augment currently active NCCAM R01 grants. NCCAM-funded researchers are encouraged to collaborate with Veteran Health Administration (VHA) or Department of Defense (DoD) clinicians or researchers to conduct research on complementary approaches for symptom management and health in military or VA populations. One example of a research approach includes enhancing the funded research by adding a military or VA setting or population and adding the use of PROMIS tools or NIH Toolbox tools to other measures being used in the parent grant to assess pain, sleep, or other symptoms of interest in the military or VA population.
FOA requests R03 and R34 projects for substance and alcohol abuse treatments
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), and Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences (OBSSR) have issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for a Behavioral & Integrative Treatment Development Program. The R03 (PA-13-079) and R34 (PA-13-078) requests solicit discrete, well-defined projects on the development and testing of behavioral and integrative treatments for substance and alcohol abuse and dependence. One specific area of interest involves studies to create and integrate sleep or other relevant health behavior modules for incorporation into drug abuse treatment protocols, to improve efficacy of treatment.