Case Study of the Month – February 2021
The AASM Case Study of the Month for February is about a 16-year-old male with no significant past medical history who presented with a chief complaint of recurrent episodes of excessive sleepiness. Per family report, the patient had four [...]
Missing the mark with melatonin: Finding the best treatment for insomnia
Stressful days and sleepless nights leave many people searching for a quick solution to their sleep troubles – is melatonin the answer? As the coronavirus pandemic enters its second year, stress and anxiety are leaving many American adults struggling [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – February 6, 2021
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider keeps members informed about current AASM initiatives and the latest developments in the field of sleep medicine. FDA authorizes eXciteOSA device On Feb. 5, the FDA authorized marketing of a new [...]
FDA authorizes eXciteOSA device for snoring and mild sleep apnea
On Feb. 5, 2021, the FDA authorized marketing of a new prescription device, eXciteOSA (formerly Snoozeal), to reduce snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea. It is the first device used while awake that is intended to improve tongue muscle [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – January 30, 2021
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider keeps members informed about current AASM initiatives and the latest developments in the field of sleep medicine. New E/M code changes quick reference guide A quick reference guide created by the [...]
CMS finalizes changes to the Quality Payment Program
Acknowledging that physician practices are focusing on providing quality care during the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has finalized several important changes to the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Merit-based Incentive Payment System [...]
AASM waives joint providership continuing education fees for state sleep societies in 2021
In recognition of the financial difficulties caused by COVID-19, the AASM is waiving the continuing education joint providership fees for state and regional sleep societies in 2021. As an ACCME-accredited provider, the AASM has the expertise to jointly coordinate [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – January 23, 2021
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider keeps members informed about current AASM initiatives and the latest developments in the field of sleep medicine. Update from the COVID-19 Task Force The AASM COVID-19 Task Force is providing this [...]
A New Year 2021: Endless possibilities amid ongoing challenges
Despite a tumultuous start to 2021, I am optimistic that this year will bring opportunities for continued growth. While we still face many challenges related to COVID-19, the first waves of vaccination are inspiring the hope that better days [...]
VIDEO | COVID-19 and Sleep Medicine Update | AASM town hall forum
AASM President Dr. Kannan Ramar hosted the presidential town hall forum, “COVID-19 and Sleep Medicine Update,” on Tuesday, Jan. 19. During this live webinar, Dr. Ramar presented the results of the COVID-19 pulse survey, which the AASM distributed to [...]
In memoriam: Sleep and dreams pioneer Rosalind Cartwright, PhD
The AASM regrets to announce the passing of Rosalind D. Cartwright, PhD, a longtime member and pioneer in the fields of clinical sleep medicine and psychological sleep science. She was born Dec. 30, 1922, and died Jan. 15, 2021, [...]
Update from the AASM COVID-19 Task Force | January 2021
The AASM COVID-19 Task Force is providing this update to help sleep medicine clinicians understand current issues and considerations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This information supplements the guidance already available in the AASM summary of CDC recommendations and [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – January 16, 2021
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider keeps members informed about current AASM initiatives and the latest developments in the field of sleep medicine. Law modifies Medicare physician payments On Dec. 27, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed [...]
Law modifies the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
On Dec. 27, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law, offsetting almost all of the 10.2% budget neutrality adjustments that were to have taken effect on Jan. 1, 2021. This is welcomed news to AASM members given [...]
CMS promotes value-based health care with Stark final rule
On Dec. 2, 2020, CMS published the much-anticipated final rule, “Modernizing and Clarifying the Physician Self-Referral Regulations,” which establishes exceptions to the physician self-referral law — known as the Stark Law — for certain value-based compensation arrangements between or [...]
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine collection highlights 15 years of scientific discovery
DARIEN, IL – Editors of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine have identified some of the most significant articles in the publication’s history, publishing new commentaries on them in a special 15th anniversary collection. The 15 commentaries from associate [...]
Case Study of the Month – January 2021
The AASM Case Study of the Month for January is about a 15-month-old girl whose parents report has never slept through the night. The child currently awakens about every 1.5 to 2 hrs “screaming” and extremely agitated, beginning at [...]
Healthy sleep and immune response to COVID-19 vaccination
Healthy sleep is integral to a strong immune system, and as COVID-19 vaccines are distributed, it’s important that people continue to get sufficient sleep for optimal immune response. Sleep loss is associated with changes in several immune processes. Poor [...]
AASM announces the 2021 “Sleep is Essential” High School Video Contest
DARIEN, IL — Submissions are now being accepted for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s 2021 “Sleep is Essential” High School Video Contest. Entrants will compete for a cash prize and raise awareness about the importance of sleep for [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – January 9, 2021
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider keeps members informed about current AASM initiatives and the latest developments in the field of sleep medicine. Congress provides Medicare payment relief The $1.4 trillion legislation signed into law mitigates budget [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – January 2, 2021
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider keeps members informed about current AASM initiatives and the latest developments in the field of sleep medicine. Top sleep medicine trends in 2020 In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, other developments [...]
Top 10 sleep medicine trends in 2020: Year in review
By all accounts, 2020 was a tough year. The field of sleep medicine experienced numerous challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lost beloved colleagues such as AASM Founding President William C. Dement, MD; AASM Past President Mark Mahowald, [...]
AASM analysis of CMS interim final rules on virtual check-in services and PPE
The 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule also contained two interim final rules with public comment addressing payment for virtual check-in services and coding and payment for personal protective equipment. The AASM submitted a comment letter to CMS [...]
Sleep research in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine: Top studies of 2020
Below are two lists that highlight noteworthy studies published in 2020 in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The first list includes the 10 articles with the highest Altmetric scores. Altmetric scores are calculated by adding the number of [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – December 26, 2020
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider keeps members informed about current AASM initiatives and the latest developments in the field of sleep medicine. LAST CALL: Abstracts & session proposals This is your chance to help shape the [...]