CMS publishes ordering and referring final rule
On April 27, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule on Changes in Provider and Supplier Enrollment, Ordering and Referring, and Documentation Requirements; and Changes in Provider Agreements.
Avoiding the 2013 e-prescribing payment adjustment
Medicare providers who do not successfully participate in the e-prescribing (eRx) program will be subject to a 1.5 percent reduction in their 2013 Medicare Part B payments. Act now to avoid this significant penalty.
Sessions from recent AASM Business of Sleep Medicine course now available streaming online
Members who missed out on the Business of Sleep Medicine course in February have a second chance to learn about practice management issues and how to improve their business practice. Seven sessions from the Business of Sleep Medicine are now available as online learning modules in the AASM Online Learning Center.
Final month to register online for SLEEP 2012
The pre-registration deadline for SLEEP 2012 is less than a month away. After Wednesday, May 30, only onsite registrations will be accepted. By registering online, you will be able to reserve a spot in the many Meet the Professor and Lunch Debate sessions, which offered on a first-come, first-served basis and are selling-out fast. Register online for SLEEP 2012, which will be held Saturday, June 9 - Wednesday, June 13 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center in Boston, at www.sleepmeeting.org
Learn about the health care reform law and sleep medicine at SLEEP 2012
Please join the AASM government relations specialists on Tuesday, June 12 at 9:00am at SLEEP 2012 to learn about Health Care Reform and Sleep Medicine. Charles Buck, JD, a partner in the law firm McDermott Will & Emery LLP, will identify health care legal trends and describe how the health care reform law will impact sleep medicine.
SLEEP 2012 abstract supplement now available online
The SLEEP abstract supplement for SLEEP 2012, the 26th 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 all 1,333 research abstracts that will be presented at SLEEP 2012 in Boston next month. Of the abstracts, 196 will be presented as oral presentations and the remaining will be displayed in the poster viewing section of the SLEEP 2012 exhibit hall.
Longer sleep times may counteract genetic factors related to weight gain
Toss out another old wives’ tale: Sleeping too much does not make you fat. Quite the opposite, according to a new study examining sleep and body mass index (BMI) in twins, which found that sleeping more than nine hours a night may actually suppress genetic influences on body weight. The study looked at 1,088 pairs of twins and found that sleeping less than seven hours a night was associated with both increased BMI and greater genetic influences on BMI. Previous research has shown that genetic influences include things like glucose metabolism, energy use, fatty acid storage and satiety. In this study, the heritability of BMI was twice as high for the short sleepers than for twins who slept longer than nine hours a night.
Excessive sleepiness may be cause of learning, attention and school problems
Children who have learning, attention and behavior problems may be suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness, even though clinical tests show them sleeping long enough at night, a new study reports. Penn State researchers studied 508 children and found that those whose parents reported excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) – despite little indication of short sleep from traditional measurements – were more likely to experience learning, attention/hyperactivity and conduct problems than children without EDS.
Free online FAQs supplement the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events
The Scoring Manual FAQs page on the AASM website answers common questions about rules in the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events. The answers serve to clarify the rules, and in cases where there is a discrepancy between the manual and the FAQs, the answers supercede the manual itself. View the Scoring Manual FAQs today to ensure that your approach to scoring is accurate.
Support sleep advocacy efforts by contributing to the AASMPAC
It is vital that the AASM continue our advocacy efforts during the 2012 election. Elected representatives place a high value on advocacy involvement. By contributing to the AASM PAC, you will join with other concerned members of the sleep community who are interested in shaping the outlook of sleep medicine, sleep research and our healthcare and public health system.
Medicare trust fund insolvency date remains 2024
Medicare's hospital insurance fund is expected to become insolvent in 2024, a projection unchanged from last year, according to a report by the board of trustees for Medicare and Social Security.
CMS expands competitive bidding for DME – reports significant savings
In an April 18 press release, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported significant savings in the first year of the durable medical equipment (DME) competitive biding program.
Update on availability of specialty code on CMS paper enrollment forms
In a recent Weekly Update article, we reported on the implementation of the sleep specialty code for CMS. The code will be available via the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) in May.
SLEEP 2012 advanced registration ends TODAY
The advanced registration deadline to save more than 20% on registration fees is TODAY, April 25, 2012. The meeting will feature several educational and networking opportunities for sleep clinicians and researchers of all levels of experience including the presentation of over 1,300 scientific abstracts, 100 courses and sessions, a networking reception on the evening of Sunday, June 10 and a vast exhibit hall of over 125 companies.
AASM announces section chair election results
The AASM congratulates all of the individuals who were recently elected to serve one-year terms as section chairs. View the roster of the 2012-2013 section chairs and read the Call for Volunteers, which describes how section members can volunteer to serve on a membership section steering committee. Consider volunteering today!
AASM congratulates new Fellow members!
The AASM is pleased to welcome the following new Fellow Members: Ofer Jacobowitz, MD, PhD, FAASM; Christopher B. Pugh, MD, FAASM; Monica O. Woodward, MD, FAASM.
Implementation of CMS Specialty Code for Sleep Medicine
In a recent email from staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the AASM was notified that the specialty code for sleep medicine will be implemented in May.
Earn CME credit online: April issue of JCSM
AASM members have access to the full text of each article in the April 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine when you log in on the website. You also can earn continuing medical education (CME) credits online by reading designated articles and taking the online CME exams within one year of the date of publication.
Application deadline for BSM Certification Exam is May 1
Applications for the 2012 Behavioral Sleep Medicine Certification Examination must be submitted by May 1, 2012. The exam will be offered by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) from June 23 through July 2, 2012.
SLEEP 2012 advanced registration deadline is April 25
The advanced registration deadline for SLEEP 2012 is April 25, 2012. Several ticketed sessions also have already sold-out or are nearly full; register early to ensure that you are able to attend these popular sessions.
Discounts offered on AASM patient education material
AASM patient education brochures provide your patients with the take-home information that they need to know about sleep and sleep disorders in a convenient and easy-to-read format. The brochures cover information including definitions, symptoms, treatment options, tips, and answers to frequently asked questions. Members of the AASM now have the opportunity to take advantage of two discounts on these valuable educational products.
AASM responds to proposed CMS rule on Reporting and Returning Overpayments
The AASM has signed onto a letter which responds to CMS’ proposed rule on Reporting and Returning Overpayments. As you may know, the proposal obligates physicians to report and return overpayments that if not completed carries significant legal and financial penalties.
CMS proposes one-year delay to implementation of ICD-10
In an April 9 media release, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed one year delay to the implementation of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition (ICD-10). CMS noted a number of reasons for delaying implementation.
February 2012 CPT Editorial Panel accepts recommendation to add two codes for pediatric polysomnography
At the February 2012 meeting of the CPT Editorial Panel the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a number of other specialty societies presented a proposal to add two new CPT codes for pediatric polysomnography and pediatric polysomnography with initiation of PAP.
Making the most of your trip to Boston for SLEEP 2012
For the first time since 1994, the SLEEP Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS) is coming to Boston! Located in Boston’s Back Bay, SLEEP 2012 will be held June 9–13, 2012 at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. Take advantage of the opportunity to participate in this exciting event and to enjoy the many sites and activities found in this historic city.