Apply for chair position of your primary membership section
The AASM invites members to apply for the Chair position of their primary membership section. Sections provide a forum for members with focused interests to share those interests, discuss ideas, stimulate research and recommend programs that promote education through the AASM.
Participate online in the AASM leadership elections
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine invites members to participate in the AASM Board of Directors. This year, members will determine the AASM President-elect and three directors at-large on the AASM Board of Directors. In addition, the members will determine an AASM Nominating Committee representative.
Defying expectations: Americans report sleep improving as they age
Survey of 150,000 adults shows the fewest complaints come from people in their 80s
Call for volunteers: Representatives to serve on the CoA PSG
Help shape the future of education and training for sleep technologists by representing the AASM on the Committee on Accreditation for Polysomnographic Technologist Education (CoA PSG). The CoA PSG is an organization that accredits two-year programs at community colleges for sleep technologist education. These training programs promote high-quality, standardized training for sleep technologists and are integral to the future of the sleep technology profession. Representatives to the CoA PSG will assist with review of applications for program accreditation and help set standards for educational programs. If you are interested in this opportunity, please send a two-page bio sketch to Jordana Money at jmoney@aasmnet.org by March 9, 2012.
Deadline approaching for Basics of Sleep Center Management course
The deadline to register for the AASM’s new Basics of Sleep Center Management course is Friday, March 2, 2012. The course, which will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the AASM National Office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), will provide individuals new to or interested in becoming involved in the management of a sleep center with a broad overview of sleep center management topics including overview of accreditation, equipment selection, staffing, staff training, finances, marketing, coding and reimbursement.
NHLBI releases executive summary on workshop on sleep deficiency and sleep disorders
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Division of Lung Diseases (DLD) and Division for the Application of Research Discoveries (DARD) held a joint workshop in September titled "Reducing Health Disparities: The Role of Sleep Deficiency and Sleep Disorders."An executive summary of the workshop is now available on the NHLBI website.
AASM publishes practice parameters on the treatment of central sleep apnea in adults
The AASM recently published practice parameters to guide clinicians in the treatment of central sleep apnea. The article title "The Treatment of Central Sleep Apnea Syndromes in Adults: Practice Parameters with an Evidence-Based Literature Review and Meta-Analysis" appeared in the January issue of the journal SLEEP. The practice parameters are based on a systematic review of the scientific literature that was performed by an expert task force. The article was developed by the AASM Standards of Practice Committee and reviewed and approved by the AASM board of directors.
Patient-oriented guide and podcast on treating sleep apnea available on the AHRQ website
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has expanded its resources for health care consumers to include information on sleep apnea. The guide titled "Treating Sleep Apnea" includes information on the symptoms and treatment for sleep apnea. Alongside the guide, AHRQ has released a brief podcast on sleep apnea. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine also provides clinicians with informational resources for patients with sleep disorder, in the form of patient education brochures and the patient website yoursleep.aasm.org, which includes information on the symptoms and treatments for a variety of sleep disorders.
President Obama signs legislation to delay Medicare cuts until end of 2012
President Obama signed legislation (HR 3630) that delays scheduled cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement rates, extends the payroll tax cut and continues unemployment benefits. The $143 billion package delays the Medicare rate cut, which would have been a 27%, until the end of 2012. When the "doc fix" expires in December, physicians will face about a 32% reduction in Medicare payments.
Update: the 2012 eRx Incentive Program
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) previously announced that eligible professionals who did not become successful electronic prescribers under the 2011 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program are subject to a payment adjustment in 2012. Please review this Medicare Learning Network article regarding how payment adjustments were calculated. A number of AASM members submitted hardship exemption requests in late 2011. Approval of such a request would exempt the physician from eRx Incentive Program payment adjustments. CMS originally intended to publish a report of providers approved for hardship exemption. However, it was announced in January that such a report was not technically feasible due to the large number of requests received.
Don’t let your AASM membership lapse
Renew your AASM membership by Feb. 29 to stay active and continue receiving membership benefits like the Weekly Update, product and course discounts, and online access to the journal Sleep and Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. To prevent membership deactivation and a reinstatement fee, renew online, download a renewal invoice to return via mail or fax, or call the AASM Membership Department at 630-737-9756.
Physicians slow to transition to electronic health records
Just 25 percent of physicians are "on target" to meet the health IT meaningful use standards established under the federal stimulus package, according to a study by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions. The study found that most of the respondents use some form of electronic health records to manage clinical information, and most believe EHRs can help improve care over the long term. Only 21 percent of respondents say they do not expect to meet the Oct. 2013 for transitioning to ICD-10, but 62 percent said managing ICD-10 documentation is a "major concern."
Last chance to register for AASM training course for new sleep technicians
On March 5–16, 2012, the AASM will hold a two-week An Introduction to Sleep Technology: An A-STEP Course at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). Centers interested in sending their new technicians to this course must register on or before Friday, March 2, 2012. During the course—accredited by the AASM as an Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) Introductory Course—up to 20 sleep technicians will have the opportunity to gain the knowledge needed to begin a successful career in the field of sleep technology. Attendees of this training program will receive more than $1,000 of course material included with their registration fees, training from expert faculty, more than 30 hours of interactive, hands-on practice exercises and overnight observation at a sleep center.
Submit your late-breaking abstracts for SLEEP 2012 starting Friday, Feb. 24
Present your latest scientific findings at SLEEP 2012. The Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC (APSS) is accepting late-breaking abstract submissions for SLEEP 2012. Abstracts may be submitted from Friday, Feb. 24 through Wednesday, March 21. Late-breaking abstracts will be presented during a scientific session on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, from 12:15pm – 1:30pm. Up to five abstracts will be accepted for oral presentations in which authors will present their high-quality emerging data found between December 2011 and March 2012. Review the late-breaking abstracts submission guidelines online at https://www.sleepmeeting.org/lba.aspx for additional details about participating in this session at SLEEP 2012.
Congress approves ‘doc fix’; measure sent to President Obama
The U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan deal today which avoids a Medicare fee cut for physicians while also extending the payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits for the rest of the year. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 60-36 and the House approved the measure by a 293-132 margin. President Barack Obama has promised to sign the legislation. The final agreement allows Medicare to maintain current physician reimbursement rates through December, delaying a 27.4% reduction in fees set to begin on March 1. To fund the $18 billion doc fix, the agreement includes several health-related offsets.
An invitation to volunteer from President-elect Sam Fleishman
Dr. Sam Fleishman describes his experience on AASM standing committees and how it helped in his professional development.
AHRQ seeks public commentary on report ‘Future Research Needs for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea’
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is seeking public comment on its new draft report titled "Future Research Needs for Diagnosis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea." The intended purpose of the report is to help researchers and funders of research make well-informed decisions in designing and funding research related to obstructive sleep apnea. The deadline for commentary is March 6, 2012.
Support AASM action in Washington by donating to the AASMPAC
AASM staff has recently made progress in developing relationships with leading lawmakers, and several influential labor unions and federal agencies, after several productive trips to Washington, D.C. In order to continue this momentum in Washington, the AASM has reintroduced the AASM Political Action Committee (AASMPAC). The AASMPAC is a bi-partisan political action committee which assists in supporting sleep medicine-friendly legislators in their Congressional elections. This support opens doors for expressing the AASM's viewpoints and the need for and value of sleep care services for patients, sleep care research and sleep-related public health implications. An investment in the AASMPAC is an investment in your profession and livelihood; by contributing to the AASMPAC, you will help shape the outlook of sleep medicine. Donate online today by visiting www.aasmpac.org.
President Obama’s 2013 budget request for the National Institutes of Health
The 2013 budget request President Obama sent to Congress requests $30.9 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the same level as 2012. NIH estimates it will support a total of 35,888 research project grants, including 9,415 new and competing awards. The $30.9 billion request will be used to invest in basic research on the fundamental causes and mechanisms of disease, accelerating discovery through new technologies, advancing translational sciences, and encouraging new investigators and new ideas.
Registration open for Spring Management Courses
A few spots remain open for the Basics of Sleep Center Management course, which will be held on Mar 3, 2012 at the AASM national office in Darien, IL. Chaired by Dr. Amy Aronsky, the basics course is targeted to new sleep center managers or to staff looking to take on a management role. Sleep center managers will also want to take advantage of the Intermediate Sleep Center Management Series, a two day course chaired by Dr. Eric Olson. The Intermediate Series will be held on Apr 21-22, 2012 at the AASM national office in Darien, IL. Registration for this course is currently available with an advanced registration savings deadline of Mar 23, 2012.
HHS initiating a process to postpone the compliance date for ICD-10
In an news release published Feb 16, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced that HHS is initiating a process to postpone the compliance date for the use of International Classification of Disease, 10th Edition (ICD-10) diagnosis and procedure codes. The current compliance date, as mandated in a January 2009 final rule, is Oct. 1, 2013.
Feb. 29 deadline to renew membership; update Membership Directory listing
Members must renew their AASM membership by Feb. 29, 2012 to be included in and receive the 2012-2013 printed Membership Directory. Members who have already renewed may update their directory listing under the My Account menu. Directory updates must be made by Feb. 29, 2012 to appear in the printed 2012-2013 Membership Directory.
Last chance to register for two essential AASM courses scheduled for Feb. 24-27 in Phoenix
Registration for the AASM’s Sleep Medicine Therapies and Business of Sleep Medicine for Physicians courses will end on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Individuals interested in attending one or both of these courses, which will be held at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona, must do so on or before this date; on-site registration will not be accepted.
HypnoGram Innovation & Political Action
I am hopeful that by now you have had an opportunity to read the AASM’s recent proposal for the Innovation Care Delivery and Management Program for Patients with OSA (ICDMPPO), which was submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to its Health Care Innovation Challenge. We at the AASM feel that this important proposal represents the future of clinical care for adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
A call for sleep centers to participate in the AASM’s Innovation Program
A letter from AASM President Dr. Nancy Collop to AASM membership requesting that sleep centers apply to participate in the Integrated Care Delivery and Management Program for Patients with OSA (ICDMPPO). Information on the program is available at www.innovatesleep.org.