New guideline supports behavioral, psychological treatments for insomnia
DARIEN, IL – The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has published a new clinical practice guideline establishing recommendations for the use of behavioral and psychological treatments for chronic insomnia disorder in adults. The guideline includes one strong recommendation — [...]
Read the winter 2020 issue of Montage
Welcome to the latest edition of the AASM member magazine, Montage. In this issue, we celebrate a record number of new fellows who matched with a sleep medicine training program for the 2021 appointment year, and we explore [...]
Evaluation and management code changes for 2021
H. Thomas Johnson, MD, FAASM, Coding and Compliance Committee Because of the pandemic this year, we have had lots of changes to our practice. Some changes include a focus on utilization of personal protective equipment, keeping our work areas [...]
Pandemic, innovation present opportunities for sleep medicine
What does disruption mean to sleep medicine? It’s perhaps taken on new meaning and new urgency in 2020, as clinicians have had to adapt to new methods of work and patient care. However, the coronavirus isn’t the original disruptor [...]
Sleep Medicine Education Thriving Despite Pandemic
In a year when health care providers are under an enormous amount of stress, and uncertainty is the norm, it’s reassuring to know that the field of sleep medicine has a bright future. New fellows are preparing to enter [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – December 12, 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. New webcasts explore sleep telemedicine Visit the new AASM telemedicine video library to view [...]
CMS releases proposed rule on prior authorization and patient access to electronic health information
On Dec. 10, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule citing potential reductions in provider and patient burden by improving prior authorization processes and increasing patient access to electronic health information. The rule includes [...]
In memoriam: Sleep scientist and RLS expert Richard P. Allen, PhD
The AASM regrets to announce the passing on Dec. 9 of longtime member, clinician, and sleep scientist Richard P. Allen, PhD. Dr. Allen was a licensed psychologist, fellow of the AASM, diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine [...]
New webcasts explore telemedicine implementation in sleep medicine
Visit the new AASM telemedicine video library to view a two-part webcast recorded by the AASM Telemedicine Presidential Committee. Members of the committee discuss telemedicine implementation while focusing on navigating the frequent changes occurring during the COVID-19 public health [...]
FDA authorizes emergency use for PortPatch CPAP mask filter
On Nov. 23 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the ventilator accessory PortPatch, which is intended to reduce the spread of airborne particulates through the exhalation ports, anti-asphyxia valves, and carbon dioxide vents on [...]
CMS releases final rule for 2021 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program
On Dec. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule that includes final changes to the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and final policies for the Quality Payment Program (QPP). While the AASM [...]
FDA authorizes emergency use for Lumin on N95 respirators
On Dec. 3 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Lumin LM3000 device for bioburden reduction of compatible N95 respirators that are contaminated or potentially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 or other pathogenic microorganisms. The Lumin [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – December 5, 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. CMS posts Physician Fee Schedule final rule On Dec. 1, CMS released the final [...]
Transparency in coverage final rule sets requirements for health insurers
The “Transparency in Coverage” final rule was posted on Oct. 29 and published in the Federal Register on Nov. 12 by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Labor, and the Department of Treasury in [...]
AASM establishes Congressional Sleep Health Caucus
DARIEN, IL — The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has established a Congressional Sleep Health Caucus to emphasize the necessity of healthy sleep for optimal health and to promote high quality, patient-centered care for the millions of Americans who [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – November 28, 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. CMS finalizes changes to the Stark Law On Nov. 20, CMS released a final [...]
CMS final rule implements changes to the Stark Law
On Nov. 20, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule to modernize and clarify the regulations that interpret the Medicare physician self-referral law (often called the “Stark Law”). According to CMS, the final rule [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – November 21, 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. Respond to COVID-19 pulse survey - round 2 The AASM needs your help as [...]
AASM advocates for reimbursement of COVID-19 practice expenses
The AASM and more than 100 other medical societies are working in collaboration with the AMA to advocate for immediate implementation of a new CPT code to facilitate reimbursement of additional practice expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In [...]
Hypopnea scoring initiative: Current activities and future plans
The AASM Hypopnea Scoring Rule Task Force was commissioned by the AASM board of directors to create strategies for the adoption and implementation of the AASM Scoring Manual RECOMMENDED adult hypopnea scoring rule (≥3% oxygen desaturation or arousal)1 among [...]
Reasons to be thankful during these challenging times
The holiday season provides us an opportunity to celebrate; it also allows time for us to self-reflect. Many of you know the story of how Thanksgiving in America started sometime in the 1600s when the first harvest of the [...]
Web searches for insomnia surged at height of COVID-19 stay-at-home orders
DARIEN, IL – A study found a significant increase in the number of online search queries for “insomnia” between April and May 2020, when governments across the U.S. and around the world implemented stay-at-home orders in response to the [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – November 14, 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. New! Clinical practice guideline for insomnia Now available as an accepted paper in JCSM [...]
FDA approves marketing of NightWare app to treat nightmares
On Nov. 6, 2020, the FDA permitted marketing of NightWare, an app that reduces sleep disturbances in adults 22 years of age or older who either have nightmare disorder or experience nightmares related to post-traumatic stress disorder. The FDA [...]
Sleep Medicine Weekly Insider – November 7, 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. SLEEP 2021 abstracts & session proposals The submission site is now open for SLEEP [...]