AASM provides election information to members
Over the last several weeks, the AASM has been providing members information about the 2012 election through the Weekly Update and special email alerts. The AASM felt it was important to supply members educational material since the presidency, 33 Senate seats and every Congressional seat was under challenge. This election was significantly important to the health care profession in general and specifically to sleep medicine practitioners since the fate of many essential health policy issues, including the Affordable Care Act and the Sustainable Growth Rate, could be affected.
Renew Today! Your Membership Dues Support the AASM Political Action Committee (AASM PAC)
Your 2013 membership dues help the AASM PAC support legislators who will champion our Safe Harbor initiative and profession. A Safe Harbor will allow sleep physicians to provide a sleep test and dispense DME to their Medicare patients. It is crucial that the AASM PAC has sufficient funds to keep our industry’s vital interests well represented in Washington, so please renew today. Already renewed but still want to donate? Contribute to the AASM PAC.
CMS Publishes 2014 Clinical Quality Measures (CQM)
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the clinical quality measures for the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. Starting in 2014, all providers will be required to report the new clinical quality measures regardless of whether they are participating in Stage 1 or Stage 2 of the EHR incentive program.
Find a BSM provider using new online directory
Recently the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (SBSM) compiled a directory of its members who are providing BSM clinical services such as cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and CPAP desensitization. The directory, which also indicates which members are certified in BSM by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM), is an excellent reference source for patients and referring physicians. Go to the SBSM website the next time you need to find a BSM provider in your area.
AASM introduces new patient education website: Sleepeducation.com
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has launched Sleepeducation.com, a new patient education website. The website provides current, topical content about sleep disorders and disease management, as well as videos that offer additional information on important patient-oriented topics. The improved Find A Center directory of AASM-Accredited Member Centers helps people with sleep illness find the care they need. The directory is now powered by Google Maps, so patients can find the exact route to the sleep center of their choice. The sleep center directory also indicates which facilities are accredited to provide home sleep testing.
Have your scorers claim 12 CECs in one place for free
The AASM Inter-Scorer Reliability assessment system is the easiest way for your center to fulfill the ISR Standards for Accreditation requirement and to evaluate and compare staff. By participating in ISR, your scorers can claim one free CEC per record exam—that’s 12 free CECs per year!
Join us in the Inner Harbor – Submit your SLEEP 2013 proposal today
You are invited to submit an abstract or session proposal for SLEEP 2013, the 27th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS). SLEEP attracts the largest audience of sleep specialists in the nation. Scientific abstract or session proposals will be accepted from now through Monday, December 3. Abstract submissions for oral presentations and poster presentations will be accepted from now through Monday, December 17.
Time change is opportunity to reset body clock, get more sleep
Setting clocks back an hour this weekend (2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 4) creates an opportunity for millions of sleep-deprived Americans, says the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. “The time change is more than turning the clock back,” says Dr. Sam Fleishman, a board-certified sleep physician who serves as AASM president. “It’s a once a year opportunity to reset your body clock for an extra hour of sleep every night.” The AASM’s new website – www.sleepeducation.com – explains how to use this opportunity to reset your body clock and find help for many sleep disorders.
AASM Winter Course is a MUST-ATTEND course for sleep medicine physicians
During this two-and-a-half-day course, expert faculty will explore state-of-the-art patient care management in the diagnosis and treatment of various disorders. The course will reveal strategies to improve current business practices. The program includes a mix of traditional lectures, case-based discussions and pro/con debates.
Hypnogram: Board of Directors
The coming weekend, the Board of Directors will meet in Chicago to discuss a broad range of issues that currently affect our Academy and have future implications for sleep medicine. Over the coming weeks, I will share news and announcements from the meeting with you and also provide updates on continuing initiatives led by the Board of Directors.
Nominations accepted for AASM Board of Directors
Each year we elect new leaders who guide the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and address the interests and needs of our members. As the sleep medicine field evolves, the AASM requires strong leaders to set the direction of our organization and connect with members to determine how the organization will support our membership.
Delays in implementation of the Affordable Care Act creates uncertainty for states, insurers
A delay in implementation of the Affordable Care Act is creating uncertainty among states and health insurers tasked with creating health insurance exchanges. The delay has raised questions about whether the exchanges will be ready to enroll individuals on October 1, 2013, and how many plans will be available.
Analysis looks at states with fewest, most physicians
States with higher median incomes and fewer uninsured residents tend to have better physician-to-resident ratios, according to a state-by-state analysis of the physician shortage issue.
2013 eRx payment adjustment hardship exemption requests accepted beginning Nov. 1
On Nov 1, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin accepting hardship exemption requests for the 2013 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) payment adjustment. Exemption requests will be accepted through Jan 31, 2013. Hardship exemptions must be submitted electronically through the Quality Reporting Communication Support web page.
Proposed payment cuts may result in access to care issue for Medicare patients
A recent survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) shows the potential negative impacts of Medicare’s proposed 27% payment cut for 2013. The cut, a result of the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, is scheduled to take effect Jan 1, 2013 unless Congress takes action by delaying cuts or repealing the SGR.
Get the full AASM course experience at your fingertips
Streaming on any computer or mobile device, the AASM Online Learning Modules are easy-to-access learning tools that have been captured and developed from previous live AASM Sleep Education Courses. With topics ranging from basics of sleep center management, sleep center manager boot camp and business of sleep medicine, Online Learning Modules are the easiest way for you to gain expertise from the leaders in sleep medicine all while earning CME Credit! Browse our topics and gain instant access today; visit the AASM Online Learning Center to choose the module that is right for you!
Abstract and session proposals for SLEEP 2013 accepted Friday
Have your proposals ready to submit for the 27th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS), held on June 1–5, 2013, in Baltimore, Maryland. Scientific abstract or session proposals will be accepted from Friday, October 26 through Monday, December 3. Abstract submissions for oral presentations and poster presentations will be accepted from Friday, October 26 through Monday, December 17. Guidelines for abstracts and proposals are available in the SLEEP 2013 Call for Abstracts and Session Proposals.
Registration is now open for the AASM Winter Course: Emerging Clinical and Business Trends in Sleep Medicine
Explore state-of-the-art patient care management in the diagnosis and treatment of various disorders and strategies to improve current business practices with our expert faculty during this two-and-a-half-day course filled with a mix of traditional lectures, case-based discussions and pro/con debates. Attendees will discuss new strategies and learn updated information with a focus on changing guidelines and regulations in sleep medicine, diagnosing and managing sleep disorders and business considerations for sleep specialists. Register today and take advantage of waived resort fees and discounts on spa services and golfing when you stay at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona from February 22 – February 24, 2013.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea improves blood pressure in men
Study is the first to examine effectiveness of sleep apnea treatment on high blood pressure and diabetes control in a real-world setting
NIH operating under continuing resolution
A continuing resolution passed into law on Sept. 28 will allow the Department of Health and Human Services, including the National Institutes of Health to operate through March 27, 2013. The resolution continues government operations at the FY 2012 level plus 0.6 percent until FY 2013 appropriations are enacted. During this time, the NIH will issue non-competing research grant awards at a level less than what was indicated in the most recent Notice of Award.
ACA compliance will have cost states, private employers more than $27B
New regulations under the ACA will have cost states and private business more than $27 billion once the law is fully implemented, according to a study by the American Action Forum. According to the study, private businesses will have spent $20 in new compliance costs, while state governments will have spent another $7.2 billion.
Cadillac tax may affect more than half of Massachusetts workers
An excise tax on so-called "Cadillac" plans in the Affordable Care Act would affect more than half of workers in Massachusetts when it takes effect in 2018, according to a study by the Pioneer Institute.
Starting next Friday, abstract and session proposals for SLEEP 2013 will be accepted
Submit a scientific abstract or session proposal today for the 27th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS), held on June 1–5, 2013, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Diagnosing pediatric patients: what you need to know
During this two-day workshop, expert faculty will review what physicians need to know in order to diagnose and treat sleep disorders in the pediatric population. Sessions will focus on clinical signs, indications for testing, interpretation of tests and development of treatment plans for pediatric patients.