OIG Publishes IDTF compliance reports for Miami and Los Angeles
On August 30, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) published two compliance reports for Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs). The reports describe unannounced site visits conducted at all fixed location IDTFs in both the Miami and Los Angeles areas. As a result of the unannounced visits conducted in Miami and Los Angeles, the OIG has recommended that more unannounced visits be conducted. Both compliance reports include information regarding the IDTF standards and can serve as helpful tools for IDTFs looking to maintain compliance with CMS requirements.
Earn CME credit online: September issue of SLEEP
The September issue of the journal SLEEP is available online, and AASM members have access to the full text of each article when you log in on the website.
Studies designated for CME credit in the September issue are:
- Sleeping Problems and Suicide in 75,000 Norwegian Adults: A 20 Year Follow-up of the HUNT I Study
- Longitudinal Association between Short Sleep, Body Weight, and Emotional and Learning Problems in Hispanic and Caucasian Children
New Coding Supplement to the ICSD-2 is now available
The Coding Supplement provides facilities with a user-friendly crosswalk between the diagnoses in the ICSD-2 and the billing codes found in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modifications (ICD-9-CM). Physicians and coding staff will find this resource to be indispensable as a quick reference when billing sleep medicine services. For more information about this new product, and to order, visit the AASM Online Store.
New projections from CBO include steep Medicare cuts for physicians
According to a recent article from Kaiser Health News, new figures released by the Congressional Budget Office include the imposition of steep Medicare cuts for physicians. The CBO’s new baseline projections of the federal budget estimate that cumulative deficits will reach $3.5 trillion between 2012 and 2021 — a much shallower budget hole than the $6.7 trillion CBO projected in March.
HypnoGram: Sleep medicine certification
The summer is drawing to a close with Labor Day in view and many schools back in session – and along with that all the traffic! The fall also brings the last chance for the “grandfathers and grandmothers” to sit for the American Board of Medical Specialties sleep medicine certification examination. I had the privilege to lecture at the second of three board review courses administered by the AASM in Denver a couple of weeks back. The room was packed as it will be for the next one scheduled for Reston, Va., in September.
Wall Street Journal examines sleep differences between men and women
Earlier this week, an article in the Wall Street Journal examined how recent research has shed light on gender differences in sleep. The article addresses differences between men and women in the length of their circadian period, sleep latency and sleep time, sleep quality, response to sleep deprivation, and insomnia complaints.
NHLBI Working Group focuses on coronary artery risk development
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) hosted a working group June 17, 2011, to discuss research areas that could be addressed by a possible continuation of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study. One high priority recommended by the group is, “An assessment of sleep disordered breathing with a non-invasive home-based monitor and the administration of sleep questionnaires.”
NIH-commissioned study identifies gaps in NIH funding for black researchers
From 2000-2006, black applicants were 10 percentage points less likely than white applicants to be awarded research project grants from the National Institutes of Health after controlling for factors that influence the likelihood of a grant award, according to an NIH-commissioned study in the journal Science. In an accompanying commentary, NIH Director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, and Principal Deputy Director Lawrence Tabak, DDS, PhD, call the findings unacceptable and commit to immediate action by the NIH.
NIH announces new funding opportunities, including grants for behavioral and social sciences
A research project (R01) grant (PAR-11-314) and an exploratory/developmental (R21) research grant award (PAR-11-315) for “Systems Science and Health in the Behavioral and Social Sciences” both include numerous topics related to sleep and sleep disorders as potential areas of interest. Other new funding opportunities recently announced by the National Institutes of Health include the 2012 NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program (RFA-RM-11-004) and the 2012 NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program (RFA-RM-11-005).
Success stories are featured on the ASMF website
Visit the American Sleep Medicine Foundation website to read about how the ASMF is making a difference through research, education and humanitarian aid. The new “Success Stories” highlight individuals and organizations that have received an ASMF grant or award.
HHS tightens financial conflict of interest rules for researchers
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued an updated Final Rule on conflict of interest, providing a framework for identifying, managing, and ultimately avoiding investigators’ financial conflicts of interest. Major changes to the regulations include the definition of significant financial interest (SFI), the extent of investigator disclosure, the information reported to the Public Health Service (PHS) awarding component, the information made accessible to the public, and investigator training.
CDC report analyzes prevalence of insufficient rest or sleep
In the Aug. 19, 2011, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Surveillance Summary, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provided an analysis of data from the 2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results show that in 2009, the median estimated overall prevalence of insufficient rest or sleep among adults aged ≥18 years was 39.3 percent, ranging from 34.3 percent in the Virgin Islands to 52.6 percent in West Virginia.
NIH funding: White House calls for all agencies to reduce their 2013 budget requests
A recent memo to the heads of federal departments and agencies from Jacob J. Lew, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, addressed 2013 budget requests. Lew stated that 2013 budget submissions to OMB should be at least five percent below 2011 enacted discretionary appropriation, unless an agency has been given explicit direction otherwise by OMB.
2012 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule: Submit comments to CMS by Tuesday, Aug. 30
On Tuesday, Aug. 9, the AASM sent a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) outlining concerns regarding the 2012 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. AASM members also are encouraged to provide CMS with their own comments on the 2012 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. Comments to CMS are due by Aug. 30 using the contact information found on the first page of the Proposed Rule.
Medicare to include CPAP in second round of DME-POS competitive bidding program
On Friday, Aug. 19, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will expand the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program, which is used to set prices for DME. Among the product categories for Round Two are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and respiratory assist devices (RADs) and related supplies and accessories. Bidding for Round Two, which will expand the program from nine cities to 91 areas, will begin this fall.
AASM Acknowledges August Contributions to the ISR Testing Program
For the August ISR Testing Program, the AASM gratefully acknowledges Nihon Kohden America for contributing software, The Institute of Sleep Medicine - DuPage Medical Group for providing sleep records, and Dr. Kannan Ramar for serving as the second gold standard. Their participation in the AASM’s effort to provide a national standard for sleep scoring is greatly appreciated.
Complete the AASM membership sections survey by Aug. 31
Earlier this week, the AASM Membership Sections Committee sent an email to all AASM members with a link to a brief, five-minute survey about your experience and involvement with the sections. Please provide your feedback by completing the survey by Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011.
Advanced registration deadline for Interpreting Sleep Studies course is Friday, Aug. 26
The advanced registration deadline for the upcoming Interpreting Sleep Studies course is Friday, Aug. 26. The course will be held at the AASM national office in Darien, IL (a suburb of Chicago), and attendees can choose from two sets of dates: Friday, Sept. 23 - Saturday, Sept. 24 or Sunday, Sept. 25 - Monday, Sept. 26.
Essential training for new sleep technicians to be offered through the AASM’s A-STEP Introductory Course
Ensure that new sleep 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 in order to ensure that each individual receives personalized training and hands-on experience during exercises and sleep center observation.
Two additional dates opened for AASM Board Review Practice Exam courses
In preparation for the Nov. 10, 2011, American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) sleep medicine certification exam, the AASM has developed a new full-day Board Review Practice Exam course to be held at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a Chicago suburb). The Oct. 29, 2011, and Oct. 30, 2011, courses are now SOLD OUT. In response to this high demand, the AASM has opened two additional course dates on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, and Monday, Oct. 31, 2011.
Submit nominations for AASM Board of Directors by Aug. 26
Each year we elect new leaders to guide the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and represent the interests and needs of our members. The AASM invites members to nominate candidates (self-nominations welcome) for service as an at-large member of the Board of Directors. Please submit the required materials by August 26, 2011.
Final days for August SALE on personalized patient education brochure orders
During the month of August 2011, AASM individual and center members have the opportunity to save $20 on each pack of 100 personalized patient education brochures ordered from the AASM - a savings of more than 30 percent! An exclusive benefit of membership, ordering personalized brochures allows you to have your contact information professionally printed on the back of any of the AASM’s more than 25 patient education brochures.
NPR discusses sleep apnea recurrence after CPAP withdrawal
On Monday, Aug. 15, National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and NPR’s health blog “Shots” focused on the importance of the consistent use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. The story was sparked by a study published online ahead of print in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. AASM president Dr. Nancy Collop told NPR that the study is a reminder that CPAP needs to be used every night. “CPAP is a treatment, not a cure,” she said.
NHLBI Working Group examines best practices of Data Coordinating Centers
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) hosted the Data Coordinating Centers’ Best Practices Working Group May 24-25, 2011. A Data Coordinating Centers’ Best Practices executive summary is available on the NHLBI website.
NHLBI announces funding for mentored career award and resource access to genome centers
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) issued a funding opportunity announcement (RFA-HL-12-029) for a Mentored Career Award for Faculty at Institutions that Promote Diversity, and an FOA (PAR-11-307) for a Resource Access Award (X01) for the Discovery of Genetic Basis of Mendelian or Monogenic Heart, Lung, and Blood Disorders.