Obesity: Annual Cost Higher Than Expected, Study Finds
The annual cost of being obese in the U.S. is $4,879 for women and $2,646 for men, according to a study by George Washington University researchers.
AHRQ Launches New Look for NGC and NQMC Websites
The sites now allow users to find information faster, identify the right measures or guidelines with ease, and intuitively search thousands of records. Both sites include a side-by-side comparison feature, enhanced semantic search engine and easier navigation.
CMS to Unveil Proposed Regulations To Combat Fraud in Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP
The new rules would give federal health officials more power to identify fraud early and help them reduce an estimated $55 billion in improper payments made annually through Medicare and Medicaid. The new rules also would give CMS increased oversight on nearly $900 billion in annual spending on the three health care programs.
Last Week to Save 50% Off All AASM Webinar Archive CD-ROMs!
This sale includes single webinar archives as well as already discounted webinar archive sets that include all presentations from a series. Sale ends September 30, 2010.
Two 1-Day Workshops at AASM National Office to Feature Interaction with Leading Faculty
On Saturday, November 6, 2010, faculty, led by course chair Richard Berry, MD, will discuss issues related to Portable Monitoring and guide attendees through faculty demonstrations of the proper preparation of the portable monitoring patient. Following this workshop on Sunday, November 7, 2010, Ofer Jacobowitz, MD and faculty will present a hands-on course reviewing The Sleep Apnea Examination.
Submit SLEEP 2011 Session Proposals by Oct. 5 for Review by AASM Membership Section Steering Committees
The APSS Program Committee is soliciting proposals for the following sessions at SLEEP 2011: postgraduate courses, symposia, discussion groups and clinical workshops.Prior to submitting your session proposal to the APSS Program Committee, section members are encouraged to submit their proposals to the AASM Membership Section Steering Committees for a complimentary review.
The AASM Announces its Third Offering of the Young Investigator Research Forum
Applications are now being accepted for the 2011 AASM Young Investigator Research Forum. The Forum will provide young investigators the opportunity for collegial interaction with senior faculty members having successful careers across the broad spectrum of clinical sleep research.
Journal SLEEP Goes Digital in 2011
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies will launch a redesigned website for SLEEP and transition the journal to a digital publication beginning in 2011 with volume 34. A preview of the new site will be launched on October 1, 2010.
American Sleep Medicine Foundation Sponsors Second Annual High School Essay Contest
First-place prize includes $1,000 and a trip to SLEEP 2011 in Minneapolis, Minn
NIH OppNet Announces Short-Term Research Education Program for New Investigators
Program will focus on providing creative and innovative education research experiences for new scientists in basic behavioral and social science research (b-BSSR).
Clinicians Have Until Oct. 5 to File Claims in $350-Million UnitedHealth Settlement
The settlement covers clinicians who filed out-of-network claims not only with UnitedHealth Group but also its subsidiaries and affiliates, which include Oxford Health Plans, Golden Rule Insurance, Mid-Atlantic Medical Services, and PacifiCare Health Systems.
Sleep Services Provider Settles with Federal Government over Billing for In-Home Sleep Studies
A Maryland-based sleep services provider entered into a $500,000 settlement with the federal government over billing questions for home sleep testing services provided to patients with insurance coverage through TRICARE (military dependants) and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP).
FAA Proposes Changes to Flightcrew Duty and Rest Requirements
The proposed regulations would eliminate the current distinctions between domestic and international operations, expand the concept of pilot duty hours, recognize fatigue issues that arise based on the time of day and the time zone when and where pilots are working, and address the likelihood of being able to sleep under different circumstances.
World Sleep Federation Accepting Symposia Proposals for Worldsleep 2011 in Kyoto, Japan
The deadline for submission is Nov. 30, 2010. More information about the meeting and details regarding the symposia submission process are available on the Worldsleep 2011 website.
FINAL REMINDER: Oct. 29 Deadline for 2011 Mini-Fellowship for International Scholars
The four-week program provides international physicians from underdeveloped countries with practical training in clinical sleep medicine. The objective is to help them develop or improve sleep-related health care in their home country.
AASM Director of Coding, Compliance and Accreditation to Lead Course on E/M Coding
Judy Coy, RN, AASM Director of Coding, Compliance and Accreditation, is scheduled to present a small-group, interactive course Nov. 1–2, 2010, at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois.
ISR Testing Program Now Offers Streaming Video on Demand for Monthly Record Review
The video presentations will include a scoring explanation and discussion of epochs from the record where significant disagreement existed on the scoring of stages, respiratory events, arousals or limb movements.
Childhood Obesity: First Lady Calls on Congress to Pass Child Nutrition Bill
On Wednesday first lady Michelle Obama urged Congress to reauthorize childhood nutrition legislation that would help implement some of her "Let's Move!" campaign initiatives, the New York Times reports.
NIH Requests Applications for Scientific Meetings in Basic Behavioral & Social Science Research
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Basic Behavioral and Social Science Opportunity Network (OppNet) has issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) soliciting Research Conference Grant (R13) applications for scientific meetings aimed at building interdisciplinary research teams in basic behavioral and social science research (b-BSSR).
Submit Applications for the ASMF 2011 Grant Cycle before Oct. 15
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) is committed to supporting the education and training of sleep scientists and is pleased to offer its fifth year of grant funding for the Physician Scientist Training Award (PSTA).
Submit SLEEP 2011 Session Proposals by Oct. 5 for Review by AASM Sections Committees
The Membership Section Steering Committees will provide feedback and will select session proposals they would like to recommend to the APSS Program Committee.
REMINDER: Claim SLEEP 2010 CME Credits Online by Oct. 1
If you attended SLEEP 2010 and registered for continuing medical education (CME) credits, continuing education (CE) contact hours for nurse practitioners, and/or a letter of attendance, then you must complete an online evaluation of the sessions you attended.
New AASM Pharmacology Course to be Presented by Top Faculty
On Oct. 30–31, 2010, the AASM will host a new course at the national office building in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) entitled Pharmacology and Sleep Medicine.
Receive Feedback and Potential Endorsement from the AASM Membership Section Steering Committees before You Submit Your SLEEP 2011 Session Proposal
Section members are encouraged to submit their SLEEP 2011 session proposals for a complimentary review. The Membership Section Steering Committees will provide feedback and select session proposals they would like to recommend to the APSS Program Committee
ONC Authorizes First EHR Testing and Certification Bodies
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced that the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) and the Drummond Group Inc. are the first technology review bodies that have been authorized to test and certify electronic health record (EHR) systems for compliance with the standards and certification criteria that were issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this year.