AASM accepting applications for AASM DME supplier accreditation
The AASM continues to accept applications for AASM Accreditation of Non-Medicare Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Suppliers. In December 2010, Somnicare in Overland Park, Kan., became the first supplier to earn AASM accreditation as a non-Medicare DME supplier. In 2011, this distinction also has been earned by the Minnesota Lung Center clinics and by Georgetown Durable Medical Equipment, LP in Georgetown, Texas. Facilities interested in earning AASM DME supplier accreditation can visit the AASM website to view and download the standards and application for this new program.
Submit your electronic prescribing incentive program hardship exemption request by Nov. 1
In a previous announcement about eRx hardship exemptions, the AASM reported that the Sept. 6 Federal Register included a final rule describing changes to the eRx Incentive Program. Beginning in 2012, providers who do not successfully prescribe electronically per Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements will receive a penalty of -1 percent of allowable changes. The final rule outlined six exemption categories for providers who are unable to successfully participate in the eRx program due to hardship. The request submission deadline is Nov. 1.
Early to bed and early to rise – study suggests it’s keeping kids leaner
A study in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP recorded the bedtimes and wake times of 2,200 Australian participants, ages 9 to 16, and compared their weights and uses of free time over four days. Children who went to bed late and got up late were 1.5 times more likely to become obese than those who went to bed early and got up early. Furthermore, late-nighters were almost twice as likely to be physically inactive and 2.9 times more likely to sit in front of the TV and computer or play video games for more hours than guidelines recommend.
Renew your membership online for 2012
You can now renew your AASM 2012 membership online! Renew today to continue receiving the journal SLEEP and Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine online, coding and reimbursement support, national and local representation, discounts on professional resources, education and networking opportunities and much more!
SLEEP 2012 call for abstracts and session proposals is now available
SLEEP 2012 will be held June 9-13, 2012, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Mass. As part of the Call for Abstracts and Session Proposals, the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS) Program Committee is announcing several new session formats for SLEEP 2012 including Bench to Bedside Integrated Sessions, Business-related Clinical Workshops and Morning Report Sessions.
Sleep association launches website offering free resources to educators
To help teachers communicate the principles of good sleep habits to their students, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has launched a new website that offers free lesson plans and other, age-appropriate resources for instructors in kindergarten through high school. Additional materials on the website include activities, presentations and assessment tools.
Final Rule for Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program released
The Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program is projected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to save $2.1 billion over the next five years by detecting and correcting improper payments by reviewing claims after the payments have been made. The program is based on the existing Medicare Recovery Audit program and will be largely self-funded. The final rule for the Medicaid RAC program goes into effect on January 1, 2012.
Health care reform overview: Insurance Exchanges and Private Insurance
On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law comprehensive health care reform, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). In part three of the AASM's health reform overview series, AASM Government Relations experts provide a synopsis of the creation of Health Insurance Exchanges and the changes to private insurance.
MEDPAC releases proposed offset list for SGR overhaul
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission on Monday released a draft list of offsets for its $200 billion plan to replace the sustainable growth rate formula, which sets Medicare physician payment rates. Since 2002, Congress annually has passed a series of short-term bills to block scheduled cuts to Medicare reimbursement rates under the SGR. The most recent "doc-fix" bill, enacted in December 2010, is scheduled to expire on Jan. 1, 2012, at which point physicians face a 29.4% payment rate cut. MedPAC Chair Glenn Hackbarth last week announced that the advisory panel will vote on a proposal to replace the SGR at its meeting next month.
Debt Reduction: Obama releases plan calling for more than $300B in cuts to Medicare, Medicaid
President Obama released a proposal this week to reduce the federal deficit by $3 trillion over the next 10 years, in part by making cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. The plan was developed to provide guidance to the newly created debt panel, which is charged with finding $1.5 trillion in savings by the end of November.
Final Days to register for the AASM’s A-STEP Introductory Course
Ensure that new technicians at your facility receive the education that they need to quickly and successfully begin a career in the profession of sleep technology by registering them for the AASM’s Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) Introductory Course. The 80-hour comprehensive program will be held Oct. 3–14, 2011, at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). This course will be limited to 20 participants and the last day to register is Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011.
AASM congratulates first recipients of OCST and DME accreditation
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates Sleep HealthCenters National Service Group in Bedford, Mass., which recently became the first sleep program to earn out of center sleep testing (OCST) accreditation from the AASM. In December 2010, Somnicare in Overland Park, Kan., became the first supplier to earn AASM accreditation as a non-Medicare DME supplier. In 2011, this distinction also has been earned by the Minnesota Lung Center clinics and by Georgetown Durable Medical Equipment, LP in Georgetown, Texas.
The AASM established these voluntary programs, along with its accreditation program for sleep disorders centers, to ensure that patients with sleep disorders receive the highest quality of medical care. Learn more about the AASM’s accreditation programs on the AASM website.
Grant reminder: Education Research in Sleep Health and Sleep-Circadian Biology
The next letter of intent due date is Jan. 2, 2012, for the Education Research in Sleep Health and Sleep-Circadian Biology grant (PAR-11-098) from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Proposal for integrated delivery model for sleep medicine submitted to CMS
The AASM Board of Directors has submitted a final draft proposal for an integrated delivery model for sleep medicine to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The proposal is the result of months of discussion about the future role of the sleep specialist in patient care. Members are encouraged to download and review the draft proposal.
NIH offers grants related to healthy habits in children and teens
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued funding opportunity announcements for three grants under the title of, “Healthy Habits: Timing for Developing Sustainable Healthy Behaviors in Children and Adolescents.” Developing healthy sleep patterns is one of the positive health behaviors that may be targeted by applications for these three grants: R01 research project grant (PA-11-327), R03 small grant program (PA-11-328) and R21 exploratory/developmental research grant award (PA-11-329). Standard application due dates apply.
NHLBI study identifies blood pressure-influencing genes
Researchers have identified 29 genetic variations across 28 regions of the human genome that control blood pressure. Ten of the variations were found in unexpected locations, and provide new clues to how blood pressure is regulated. The findings may help predict the genetic risk of cardiovascular disease. Subjects with multiple variants had an increased risk of hypertension complications such as increased thickness of heart chamber, heart failure, stroke and coronary artery disease.
Summary of first Super Committee debt panel hearing
The first super committee debt panel public hearing was held on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011. During the hearing, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf offered testimony about the potential consequences of the rising cost of health care and the aging baby boomer population. He warned that federal spending would surpass revenue collected if current policies remain in place. The Congressional Budget Office Director suggested changes in spending, tax policies or both would be required to put the federal budget on a sustainable path.
HypnoGram: Public Education
I read with interest the recent editorial about Dr. William Dement in the journal SLEEP. As everyone in the sleep field knows, Dr. Dement is a true champion of the field and an advocate for public education. We should all strive to do the same – promote good sleep habits, discuss the importance of sleep disorders and not be ashamed or reluctant to tell people what our profession is or interests are because it is not “sexy” or “flashy.” I do not need to regale this audience with the statistics about how sleep deprivation impacts our economy, personal lives or health. Every one of us should be on our soapbox telling everyone we know about the importance of sleep.
ASMF grant applications are due Oct. 17
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation is pleased to offer its fifth year of grant funding for the Physician Scientist Training Award (PSTA). Through this award, the ASMF supports research training for physicians who wish to pursue a career as a physician scientist in sleep medicine. For a fourth year, the ASMF also is requesting applications for the ABSM Junior Faculty Research Award, which was established with an endowment of $2 million from the American Board of Sleep Medicine. This award provides funding to assist new faculty in the development of a career in academic sleep medicine. Candidates must complete the application process before Monday, Oct. 17, 2011.
Submit an application for the 2012 Young Investigator Research Forum
The 2012 AASM Young Investigator Research Forum will provide the opportunity for collegial interaction with established senior faculty members across the broad spectrum of clinical sleep research, as well as NIH scientific and program officers. There is a projected future shortage of clinical sleep researchers, and research funding is difficult to obtain. This retreat will provide guidance, tactics and strategies to help improve the chances of achieving a successful career in clinical sleep research. Please visit the AASM website to download the application for the 2012 Young Investigator Research Forum. The application process must be completed by Friday, Dec. 2, 2011.
CMS switches to postcard mailing to announce open participation enrollment period
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has directed contractors to use postcards announcing the open participation enrollment period this year in place of the CD packets. Previously, the CD packets included an electronic copy of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS). Due to the frequency of last-minute changes to the MPFS in recent years, CMS has directed contractors not to distribute electronic copies. Instead, contractors will keep updated copies of the MPFS and enrollment information on their websites, which will be listed on the postcard. Participating health-care professionals who do not wish to change their participation status will not be required to take any action during the open enrollment period. Postcard announcements will be mailed in early November.
ABSM offering limited-time awarding of the new RST certificate to RPSGTs
The new American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) Sleep Technologist Registry Examination will be offered for the first time Nov. 11, 2011. All practicing sleep technologists who have passed the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) examination prior to Dec. 31, 2011 - and are a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) in good standing - are eligible to apply for equivalency status and receive the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) certification by the ABSM. Get complete details on the ABSM website.
SLEEP 2011 scientific posters available online until Nov. 30
View and discuss nearly 250 of the top scientific abstracts presented as posters at SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS), through the SLEEP 2011 Online Poster Viewing Website. Each poster on this site is viewable in PDF format, and a comments area allows for interactive discussion of the science presented at the meeting. Access to the online posters is FREE for AASM and Sleep Research Society (SRS) members who attended SLEEP 2011.
Last chance to register for Pharmacology and Sleep Medicine course
Registration for the AASM's Pharmacology and Sleep Medicine course will end Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. Individuals interested in attending this course, to be held at the AASM National Office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), on Oct. 1-2, 2011, must do so on or before this date; on-site registration will not be accepted. The course is an intensive review of current and upcoming drug treatments for the full spectrum of sleep disorders including insomnia, disorders of excessive sleepiness, parasomnias, sleep-related breathing disorders and circadian rhythm disorders. For more information visit the Sleep Education Series page on the AASM website.
Complete the SLEEP 2011 online evaluation by Oct. 3 to claim your credits
SLEEP 2011 attendees who registered for continuing medical education (CME) credits for physicians must go to www.sleepmeeting.org/credits and complete an online evaluation form on or before Oct. 3, 2011, at 4 p.m. CDT. Download the CME Reference Form for complete details, including a full listing of eligible SLEEP 2011 sessions. Attendees who registered for AANP CE contact hours for nurse practitioners or a letter of attendance also must complete the online evaluation by the Oct. 3 deadline. Contact the AASM at 630-737-9700 if you have any questions.