Report suggests that pulmonologists, psychiatrists and neurologists are in short supply
In a new white paper, "Physician Supply Considerations: The Emerging Shortage of Medical Specialists," physician recruiting firm Merritt Hawkins Associates argues that specialists such as pulmonologists, psychiatrists and neurologists are in just as short supply as primary care physicians [...]
NIH seeks sleep and Alzheimer’s research project applications
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has issued a funding opportunity announcement, “Sleep disorders and circadian clock disruption in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias of aging” (PAR-18-497). This FOA is aimed at [...]
Medicare Jurisdiction JJ transitions from Cahaba to Palmetto GBA in 2018
On Sept. 7, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) selected Palmetto GBA to replace Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators, LLC as the Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) for Jurisdiction JJ, which includes Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. The transition [...]
House, Senate GOP pass tax reform with substantial health care implications
On Dec. 20, Senate Republicans advanced the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1), a bill that will cut taxes for the large majority of American individuals while also cutting corporate tax rates significantly from 35% to 21%. In [...]
Behavioral intervention improves sleep for hospitalized pregnant women
DARIEN, IL – A study shows that a hospital-based behavioral intervention protocol including components of sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioral therapy successfully improved sleep in women who were hospitalized for a high-risk pregnancy. Results show that women in the [...]
MedPAC proposes to repeal and replace MIPS
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), a nonpartisan legislative branch agency that provides analysis and policy advice about Medicare to Congress, recently released a proposal to repeal and replace the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Members of MedPAC have [...]
PCORI funding announcement to focus on sleep disorder disparities
A notice of an upcoming funding announcement from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) indicates that it will include as a focus area, “Interventions to Reduce Disparities in Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Insomnia.” Applicants may submit Letters of Intent [...]
Report one measure for one patient and avoid a 4% MIPS penalty
The 2017 performance period for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), one of two tracks offered within the Quality Payment Program, is coming to an end. MIPS participants needed to have started reporting activities by Oct. 2, 2017, to [...]
Submit abstracts for SLEEP 2018 by Monday, Dec. 18
The deadline to submit an abstract for presentation at SLEEP 2018 has been extended to Monday, Dec. 18, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Don’t miss this opportunity to present your research at the premier clinical and scientific meeting in the [...]
CMS releases Quality Payment Program Year 2 Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published in the Federal Register the Quality Payment Program Year 2 Final Rule for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). This Final Rule provides updates for [...]
Gift a FREE AASM membership when you renew
This holiday season we invite you to give the gift of AASM membership to a member of your sleep team! Renew your membership this December and you’ll be able to pass on a FREE AASM membership to a first-time [...]
SLEEP 2018 session proposal deadline EXTENDED!
The deadline to submit a session proposal for SLEEP 2018, the 32nd Annual Meeting of the APSS, has been extended! The APSS Program Committee encourages additional postgraduate course and general session proposal submissions on all topics, but is [...]
2018 Final Physician Fee Schedule
On November 15, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2018 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Final Rule, its annual rule finalizing payment policy and rates effective January 1, 2018. Download these supplemental resources for more [...]
Feeling thankful? Give back with a monthly gift to the AASM PAC
This Thanksgiving, the AASM PAC is hungrier and more motivated than ever before, and we’re ready to take our seat at the table in Washington’s health policy debate. As the future of health care is written, well-represented interest groups [...]
Thankful for my extended family
Dear AASM members, The annual Thanksgiving holiday gives us a welcome opportunity to relax and cherish extra time with family. My favorite Thanksgiving tradition is to curl up on the couch with my family as we watch the Macy’s [...]
Twitter 101: An introduction for the AASM member
Looking to incorporate more social media into your practice, but not sure where to start? The AASM has developed a guide to help you get comfortable with leveraging Twitter – a social media channel that shares what’s happening in [...]
In Memoriam: Dr. Carole L. Marcus, pediatric sleep specialist
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine regrets to announce the recent death of Carole L. Marcus, MBBCh, FAASM, who was a Fellow member of the AASM and a leader in pediatric sleep medicine. Dr. Marcus served as director of [...]
New guideline redefines high blood pressure, considers sleep apnea
How high is hypertension? Earlier this week a new clinical practice guideline for high blood pressure in adults was published by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA). It represents the first comprehensive hypertension [...]
Report of the President from the October board meeting
This President’s Report from the October meeting of the board of directors will update you on current initiatives of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine as well as the activities of our many committees and task forces. I am [...]
CMS seeks comments on Quality Payment Program Year 2 final rule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published and is accepting comments on the Quality Payment Program Year 2 final rule for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). This final rule gives updates [...]
Prepare for the sleep medicine MOC exam with these tips and tools
Here are some tips and resources to help you if you are preparing for the sleep medicine maintenance of certification (MOC) exam, which is Monday, Nov. 20. The sleep medicine exam is being administered by the American Board of [...]
NTSB criticizes FMCSA for lackluster response to fatigue among commercial drivers
On Monday, Nov. 13, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a news release criticizing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for failing to keep fatigued and unsafe commercial drivers off the roads. The statement coincided with the [...]
Senate GOP tax plan takes aim at ACA individual insurance mandate
On Tuesday, Nov. 14, Senate Republicans released their U.S. tax system reform plan, which includes a provision to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual insurance mandate — a core component of the Obama administration’s health care legislation. While [...]
Study shows therapy improves quality of life in people who have sleep apnea
DARIEN, IL - A new study shows that positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy improves quality of life measures in people who have obstructive sleep apnea. Results show that there were significant and clinically meaningful improvements in general quality of [...]
President Trump taps Alex Azar to lead HHS
On Monday, Nov. 13, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Alex Azar as the next secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) -- a position recently vacated by former Secretary Tom Price after [...]