UHC to implement new sleep testing policy in December 2017
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) recently informed its providers that it has developed a revised policy on Attended Polysomnography for Evaluation of Sleep Disorders. UHC has attempted to align its policy with the recommendations in the AASM Clinical Practice Guideline for Diagnostic [...]
Match Day involves a record number of sleep fellows
Eighty-two sleep medicine fellowship training programs welcomed a record number of 150 fellows who were matched on Nov. 1, which was “Match Day” for the 2018 appointment year. The number of certified applicants for the sleep medicine match increased [...]
National Guideline Clearinghouse releases assessment of AASM guideline
The National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC) recently released an assessment of the AASM Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnostic Testing for Adult OSA. The assessment is based on the National Academy of Medicine’s (formerly the Institute of Medicine) Clinical Practice [...]
CMS releases unpublished CY 2018 Physician Fee Schedule
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released an unpublished version of the Calendar Year (CY) 2018 Physician Fee Schedule. The final version of the fee schedule will be published Nov. 15, 2017. The AASM is reviewing [...]
CMS launches Meaningful Measures and Patients over Paperwork initiatives
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently launched two new initiatives to reduce administrative burden on physicians. On Monday, Administrator Seema Verma discussed a new approach to quality measurement called Meaningful Measures during a plenary session at [...]
AASM seeks nominees for 2018 – 2019 Nominating Committee
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) invites qualified members to nominate themselves to be considered for a position that will be opening in 2018 on the AASM Nominating Committee. There will be one opening for a two-year term [...]
AASM seeks nominees for 2018 – 2019 Board of Directors
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) invites qualified members to nominate themselves to be considered for positions that will be opening in 2018 on the AASM Board of Directors. There will be a minimum of one opening for [...]
NTSB concludes drowsy driving played a role in deadly California crash
One year after a commercial vehicle crash claimed 13 lives in southern California, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced in a press release that both vehicles involved in the crash were likely operated by severely fatigued drivers. According [...]
AASM PAC: Your fundraising energy has us fired up!
Thank you to all 105 members who chose to donate to the AASM Political Action Committee (AASM PAC) throughout the month of October. Thanks to you, we’ve skyrocketed past all expectations this month on our way toward raising a [...]
Pick the MIPS pace that’s right for you and your practice
As the 2017 Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) reporting year is fully underway, participants should verify which pathway is right for you and implement a reporting plan that complies with the program’s requirements. As a reminder, the following three [...]
Respond to the call for SLEEP 2018 submissions
Beginning Oct. 31, you can submit your abstracts and session proposals for SLEEP 2018, the 32nd annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), which will be held June 2 - 6, 2018, in Baltimore, Maryland. Visit [...]
Final days to claim your FREE online Scoring Manual subscription
Renew your AASM individual membership online for 2018 before Oct. 31 to receive a FREE subscription to the online AASM Scoring Manual for 2018. Renewing your membership for 2018 also gives you access to a plethora of tools to [...]
Avoid a MIPS penalty by reporting on one sleep-specific measure
The Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) of the Quality Payment Program is already underway. MIPS participants who did not start their activities by Oct. 2, 2017, are no longer eligible for a positive payment adjustment in 2019. However, MIPS-eligible [...]
AASM helps to raise awareness of polycystic ovary syndrome and sleep apnea
On Nov. 16, Senate Resolution 336 was introduced in the U.S. Senate to highlight the seriousness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recognizing that many of the women and girls who have PCOS also have obstructive sleep apnea, the AASM is [...]
AASM supports proposed rule to increase veterans’ telemedicine access
The AASM has submitted comments to the Department of Veterans Affairs in support of a proposed rule that would expand telemedicine access for VA patients (RIN 2900-AQ06-Authority of Health Care Providers to Practice Telehealth). Citing a longstanding commitment to [...]
Latest proposal to fix health care gains support from Senate and House conservatives
Following the release of a bipartisan health care fix drafted by leaders of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), the more staunchly conservative wings of the Senate and House - led by Senator Orrin Hatch [...]
BCBS of North Carolina to implement new sleep management program
Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) of North Carolina will implement a new sleep management program for sleep testing and therapy services on Dec. 1, 2017. The program will be administered by AIM Specialty Health®. Providers will be required [...]
One week left to claim your FREE online Scoring Manual subscription
Renew your AASM individual membership online for 2018 by Oct. 31 to receive a FREE 2018 subscription to the online AASM Scoring Manual. Renew your membership today for continued access to our brand new career center, discounted rates for [...]
AASM congratulates members on recent career achievements
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates the following members for their recent achievements: • Evin Jerkins, DO, has joined Fairfield Healthcare Professionals in Lancaster, Ohio, as medical director for the Fairfield Medical Sleep Lab. • Michael Grandner, PhD, [...]
AASM congratulates new Fellow members
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is pleased to welcome the following members who have earned recognition as Fellows of the AASM: Jamil Sulieman, MD, FAASM Kyra Clark, MD, FAASM Fellow status in the AASM is a unique honor [...]
ABIM announces changes to 2018 MOC fee schedule
The American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) recently announced that beginning in 2018, its fee schedule for the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program will include two components: an annual program fee, due within each calendar year, and an assessment [...]
CMS open virtual group election period for MIPS 2018
On Oct. 11, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) opened the “virtual group” election period for participation in the 2018 Merit-based Incentive Performance System (MIPS) performance year. Clinicians have from now until Dec. 1, 2017, to make [...]
Bill seeking to stabilize health insurance market faces uncertain future
On Tuesday, Oct. 17, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Patty Murray (D-WA), announced a bipartisan agreement to stabilize health insurance markets. In response [...]
CDC invites comment on proposed shift work training for law enforcement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is inviting comment on the proposed development of a training program for law enforcement to reduce risks associated with shift work and long work hours. The CDC will develop and pilot [...]
AASM invites public comment on draft PAP therapy guideline
The draft guideline is no longer available. The final clinical practice guideline will be available shortly. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is inviting public comment on a draft clinical practice guideline [...]