Study is first to find significant link between sleepiness and vitamin D
New research suggests that race plays an important role in the complex relationship between daytime sleepiness and vitamin D levels.
Health and Human Services approve six health insurance exchanges
Health and Human Services (HHS) granted conditional approval to six states' plans to operate their own health insurance exchange, the New York Times reports.
AASM taking action regarding SGR and sequestration
The AASM is working with the American Medical Association (AMA) and contacting Congress regarding the SGR and sequestration issue. AASM is concerned that if these cuts are implemented, many sleep providers will be unable to continue to treat Medicare patients. The consequence of enacting these extreme cuts will cause a substantial and severe access to care crisis for Medicare patients.
Join your colleagues in supporting sleep medicine – renew today!
The AASM has long been committed to protecting quality patient care, professional and public education, research, legislation (national and state) and economics in sleep medicine. The AASM has highlighted many of its 2012 AASM accomplishments. The AASM is planning a members-only practice management portion of the website with information on private payers, Maintenance of Certification, PQRS registry availability, an online coding education program – A-CEP, and more for the 2013 membership year!
Coming soon! AASM Maintenance of Certification
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine understands the importance of Maintenance of Certification (MOC) to its membership; thus, we have created AASM MOC: Assessment for Sleep Medicine.
Secure Your AASM Winter Course registration discount
Mix and mingle with leading sleep industry representatives as they share their companies’ latest innovations at the AASM Winter Course: Emerging Clinical and Business Trends in Sleep Medicine February 22-24.
Monday, December 17 is the last day to submit an abstract for SLEEP 2013
Present your research as an oral presentation or as a poster by submitting your abstract through SLEEP 2013 Abstract Central. Complete abstract submission guidelines are available in the Call for Abstracts & Session Proposals. SLEEP 2013 will be held June 1-5, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. Submit your abstracts today and join us in the Inner Harbor!
Residents could benefit from protected sleep periods
New research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia VA Medical Center indicates that the implementation of protected sleep periods for residents who are assigned to overnight shifts in a hospital could possibly help to prevent fatigue and alleviate some of the physiological and behavioral effects of sleep deprivation among these doctors in training.
Discovery channel to air narcolepsy documentary Saturday
The program Narcolepsy: New Strategies for Diagnosis and Treatment will premier on Discovery Channel on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7 a.m. (CST). The documentary follows the daily life of an individual with narcolepsy with cataplexy and features commentary from a group of AASM expert physicians. The documentary will air a second time on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 7 a.m. (CST).
ACOS: Used by as many as one in 10 U.S. residents, study finds
Nearly 10 percent of U.S. residents, or about 31 million individuals, are receiving health care through an accountable care organization, according to a study released Monday by consulting firm Oliver Wyman. The study found that roughly 2.4 million Medicare beneficiaries are receiving care through ACOs that are participating in CMS' "Medicare Shared Savings Program," while 15 million non-Medicare patients obtain care through those ACOs, Healthcare Finance News reports.
Businesses reassessing models to comply with ACA’s coverage mandate
Many companies that are reliant on low-wage workers are reassessing their business models in light of the Affordable Care Act's mandate that they provide all full-time employees with affordable health insurance by 2014, or pay a penalty.
Hospital and provider groups are seeking a ‘doc fix’ to avert cut
Hospital and physician groups are meeting with congressional staffers to discuss averting a scheduled reduction to Medicare physician reimbursement rates, which could be included in a larger deficit-reduction deal.
Republicans offer counter deficit-reduction proposal
Republican leaders released a counter offer to President Obama's deficit-reduction proposal that would raise $800 billion in new tax revenue and calls for $600 billion in automatic tax increases and reductions to federal health care programs in 2013, the Washington Post reports.
EHR incentive payments reach $8.4B
In a Nov. 28 report, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced that $692 million in electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments were distributed to eligible providers in October. Total payments, which began in 2011, have now reached $8.4 billion.
Section members are encouraged to participate in online discussion forums
Each membership section has its own discussion forum, which can be accessed through the membership section page, or the main forum page. We encourage you to subscribe to the RSS feed for your Membership Section to get the latest posts delivered to your email client or RSS reader of your choice. To subscribe, look for the RSS icon to the right of the Section Forum on the main forum page. Copy the URL for the icon and paste it into your RSS reader to complete the process.
New AASM Online Learning Modules now available for $25
Newly created Online Learning Modules are now available for $25 each with 1-year access! Created from our Fall 2012 courses, Online Learning Modules are the easiest way for you to gain expertise in sleep medicine and earn CME credit! Browse our topics and gain instant 1-year access today; visit the AASM Online Learning Center and choose the module that is right for you!
AASM Winter Course – Register now
Register now for the AASM Winter Course: Emerging Clinical and Business Trends in Sleep Medicine. Advanced registration ends January 25, 2013. Space is limited at this course; register and book your accommodations now to reserve your seat. All sessions will be held at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel from February 22 - February 24, 2013. As a reminder, February is a popular time of year in Phoenix and this hotel fills up quickly. Book your room now through the AASM website and you’ll receive 15% off golf and spa services on top of complimentary resort fees when you by enter the code: AASM.
Dec. 17 is the last day to submit an abstract for SLEEP 2013
Individuals interested in presenting their research as an oral or poster presentation must submit their abstract through the SLEEP 2013 submission website. Submission guidelines are available in the Call for Abstracts & Session Proposals. SLEEP 2013 will be held June 1-5, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. Submit your abstracts today and join us in the Inner Harbor!
AASM members will receive 12 issues of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine in 2013
The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine Editorial Board is pleased to announce that the official peer-reviewed publication of the AASM will publish monthly starting with the 2013 volume year. Members will receive twelve issues instead of six as a free benefit of membership. To ensure uninterrupted service, renew your AASM membership online today.
Extended sleep reduces pain sensitivity
Increasing sleep time improves daytime alertness and reduces pain sensitivity
Millions unaware of new health reform coverage options
Millions of low-income residents who might qualify for new insurance coverage options in 2014 under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are unaware of the upcoming benefits. In a focus group conducted by Enroll America, a not-for-profit organization, none of the 31 participants were aware of subsidies for individuals with incomes below 400 percent of the federal poverty level or Medicaid for the lowest-income U.S. residents. However, most of the participants were aware of the requirement to purchase coverage under the ACA.
Negotiations addressing sequester deal seems far off
Although negotiators spent the holiday weekend discussing a deficit reduction deal, a compromise to avoid looming mandated spending reductions under sequestration seems distant. Both Republicans and Democrats have suggested a willingness to work together to reach a deal, but a "wide gap" remains on taxes and changes to entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Washington Post.
Sleep testing – 2013 payment analysis
The 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule was published on Nov. 16. The fee schedule finalizes payment rates for all physician services, including payment rates for sleep testing. Payment for all services in the MPFS is calculated by multiplying the relative value units (RVUs) assigned to each component of the service by the designated conversion factor for the year. This article provides summary information about the payment rates for sleep testing effective Jan. 1, 2013.
AASM President Dr. Sam Fleishman submits comments on “medicalization” of sleep
The journal Nature recently published comments from AASM President Dr. Sam Fleishman regarding a book review that discussed the “creeping medicalization of sleep.” Dr. Fleishman expressed concern that this sweeping generalization ignores the drastic consequences of insufficient sleep such as an increased risk of illness and accidents as well as a drop in productivity.
AASM Winter Course: Emerging Clinical and Business Trends in Sleep Medicine – Register early to save!
The AASM Winter Course is pleased to announce its return to the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Registration and housing are now open but space is limited at this course.