Senators Reach Agreement on SGR Proposal
Monday evening, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Finance Committee Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) reached a tentative consensus to stave off the proposed cuts to payments physicians receive for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
HHS Includes Sleep Health Objectives in New “Healthy People 2020” Initiative
On Thursday the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services unveiled Healthy People 2020, the nation’s new 10-year goals and objectives for health promotion and disease prevention.
AASM Recognizes the 2010 Member-Get-A-Member Campaign Winner and Top November Member Recruiters
The AASM is pleased to announce that Pratap Saraf, MD, FAASM, is the 2010 Member-Get-A-Member Campaign winner, receiving a complimentary 2011 course registration.
Registration Opens for Three Spring 2011 Courses to be Held at the AASM National Office
Registration for these courses will be limited to ensure that attendees receive time to interact with faculty and other attendees; register early to reserve your space.
Apply for ASMF Awards by Jan. 14: Educational Projects & Strategic Research – December 2010
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) is committed to supporting the education and training of sleep scientists and is pleased to offer the Educational Projects Award and the Strategic Research Award as part of the ASMF 2011 grant cycle.
December Issue of SLEEP: Earn CME Credit Online, Read Media Coverage
AASM members have access to the full text of each article in the Dec. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP 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.
Save on Top-Selling Products during the AASM Educational Product Year-End Sale
Complete your sleep medicine reference library this December during the AASM’s 2010 Year-End Product Sale, which allows you to take advantage of 20% savings on the AASM’s top-selling products.
Deadline for SLEEP 2011 Session Proposals Has Been Extended
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS) has extended the deadline to submit a session proposal for SLEEP 2011 until Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, at 8 a.m. Central Time.
AASM Special Update: More Information on Physician Payments the Sleep Medicine RVUs
Congress has passed a series of short-term fixes – the most recent earlier this week – but has yet to develop a long-term solution.
2011 Physician Fee Schedule: Final Rule Released
The final version of the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule was released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Monday. The RVU values for sleep medicine codes are unchanged from the display copy of the Final Rule. The AASM is reviewing the Final Rule in detail and will provide members with updated information shortly.
House of Representatives Votes on Physician Payment Legislation
The Act extends the current conversion factor through Dec. 31, 2010, and delays a cut in reimbursement for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries that was scheduled for December 1. The Act now goes to the White House, and it is expected President Obama will sign the bill.
Sleep Code Payment Explanation
Terms and payment information under the 2011 CMS Final Rule, effective January 1, 2011
Sleepless soldiers: Study suggests that military deployment affects sleep patterns
Study is the first to examine sleep patterns in relation to deployment among all branches of the U.S. military.
From AASM President Dr. Patrick Strollo, Nov. 24
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank all members for their interest in the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule and involvement with the AASM Member Action Network. We appreciate the efforts of many of our members who have reached out to their members of Congress and voiced concern about the proposed cuts.
Deadline for SLEEP 2011 Session Proposals is Wednesday, Dec. 1
Individuals interested in coordinating a SLEEP 2011 postgraduate course, symposium, discussion group or clinical workshop must submit their completed session proposal(s) through the meeting’s website at www.sleepmeeting.org on or before the deadline of Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010.
Loud snoring and insomnia symptoms predict the development of the metabolic syndrome
Study provides the first prospective evidence to support a directional link between common sleep complaints and incident metabolic syndrome.
Serve as At-Large Member on the AASM Nominating Committee
As outlined in the bylaws, the Nominating Committee has been expanded to five members: the current President, the President-elect, the Immediate Past President, and two at-large members elected by the membership. For the first year (2011) of the revised nomination process, the Chair of the Membership Sections Committee will serve as one of the at-large members of the Nominating Committee and the second at-large member will be elected by the membership for a two-year term.
Senate Approves Bill to Postpone Payment Cuts to January
November 30 House vote still needed to stave off projected cuts scheduled for December 1
Message From President Dr. Patrick Strollo – Nov. 17
Congress has convened a “lame duck” session this week to resolve outstanding legislative issues. It is critical that both the House of Representatives and the Senate take action this week to forestall the looming cuts to our payments for critical health care we provide to Medicare beneficiaries. In a letter to members of the House of Representatives and Senate, the AASM has urged Congress to pass legislation that prevents the reduction to Medicare payments.
Archive of Messages from AASM President Dr. Patrick Strollo
Every Wednesday, AASM President Dr. Patrick Strollo provides members with an update of Congressional action regarding the 2011 Physician Fee Schedule and the AASM’s ongoing action plan.
Sleep and Circadian Biology DataBlitz is Monday, Nov. 15
The Sleep and Circadian Biology DataBlitz at Neuroscience 2010, the 40th annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, is Monday, Nov. 15, 2010, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Ballroom Salon B at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. No admission is charged and no registration is needed.
Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board: Public Conference Call is Friday, Nov. 12
The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR) Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board will discuss the NIH Sleep Research Plan and reports from ad hoc consultant working groups during a public telephone conference call from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, Nov. 12, 2010.
Oregon Respiratory Care Board Issues Temporary Rule for Sleep Facilities
The Oregon Respiratory Care Board (RCB) has issued a temporary rule defining the services that may be provided in an accredited sleep facility by someone who does not hold a state license to practice respiratory care.
AASM Acknowledges November Contributions to the ISR Testing Program
Each month a new set of 200 consecutive epochs from a sleep record is posted online for the AASM Inter-scorer Reliability Testing Program. This convenient online program provides sleep centers, educational programs and research labs with the opportunity to compare the scoring ability of their staff and students with the AASM Gold Standard Scorer.
Volunteer by Nov. 30 as a Host Site for Mini-Fellowship Program for International Scholars
The AASM mini-fellowship program for international scholars helps international physicians from underdeveloped countries with the resources needed to improve the quality of sleep-related health care in their home country through practical training in clinical sleep medicine.