U.S. News ranks the nation’s top hospitals by specialty and region
U.S. News & World Report recently released its 2017-2018 rankings of the top 20 hospitals in the nation, plus the best hospitals in each state and metro area, and the top hospitals by specialty.
Noridian extends accreditation deadline for sleep facilities
Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC has given sleep facilities in its region (Jurisdictions JE and JF) a 90-day extension to become compliant with the requirements listed in its local coverage determination (LCD) policy, Polysomnography and Other Sleep Studies (L34040).
Noridian adopts utilization guidelines for polysomnography and other sleep studies
Updated in June 2017, the LCD policy affects Part A and B providers in several states, including Arizona and Washington.
Avoid email and phone scams that use the SLEEP and Sleep Trends names
All AASM members should be aware of scams involving fraudulent companies that claim to be affiliated with the SLEEP annual meeting or the Sleep Medicine Trends course.
AHRQ releases report on the management of insomnia disorder
Earlier this week the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a research summary for clinicians, Management of Insomnia Disorder in Adults: Current State of the Evidence, which highlights findings from an AHRQ-funded evidence review.
FMCSA and FRA officially withdraw advanced notice of proposed OSA rulemaking
On Aug. 4 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration announced that they are officially withdrawing the March 10, 2016, advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning the prevalence of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among individuals occupying safety sensitive positions in highway and rail transportation.
Strategies to improve access to care for patients with a sleep disorder
As I mentioned during my address to the membership at SLEEP 2017, one of the challenges facing the field of sleep medicine is the need to increase access to care for patients who have a sleep disorder. This was a prominent topic of discussion during last weekend’s meeting of the AASM board of directors.
Steve Van Hout is the new executive director of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine
Today Steve Van Hout became the new executive director of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, succeeding Jerome A. Barrett, who retired after 21 years as executive director of the AASM.
ASMF announces 2018 Focused Projects Award
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) is pleased to announce the 2018 Focused Projects Award.
AASM congratulates new Fellow members
The AASM is pleased to welcome new Fellow members Jaspal Singh, MD, FAASM; and Homer T Johnson, MD, FAASM
Senate votes against three repeal efforts
The Senate on Tuesday voted 51-50 to begin a debate on repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
CMS publishes 2018 proposed payment and policy rule
On July 21, 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Proposed Rule, its annual rule proposing payment policy and rates effective Jan. 1, 2018.
NTSB report highlights fatigue risks in marine transportation
Fatigue was a significant factor in several marine accidents investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) last year, according to the new report, Safer Seas Digest 2016.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is withdrawing its sleep apnea rulemaking proposal
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is withdrawing its March 10, 2016, advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) concerning evaluation of safety sensitive personnel for moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to an online update posted by the federal Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
Register for “Dialogue with a Doctor,” a free series of quality measures webinars
Join the AASM for “Dialogue with a Doctor,” a 7-part, free webinar series on quality measures implementation.
Senate GOP abandons BCRA, considers repeal-and-delay strategy
In the face of growing opposition among Republican Senators, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) late Monday announced that he will no longer move forward with the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), the proposed bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Instead, McConnell said that GOP leaders plan to pursue a “repeal-and-delay” strategy.
House committee proposes spending cuts for HHS, CMS, CDC to offset an increase for NIH
Recently the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies released a draft Labor-HHS funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2018 that would cut HHS funding by $542 million when compared with FY 2017, which would help offset a funding increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Member Notes: AASM congratulates members on recent career achievements
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates the following members for their recent achievements.
Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine makes a BIG impact
I am thrilled to announce that the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine received an Impact Factor of 3.429, according to the 2016 Journal Citation Reports®, and a 5-year Impact Factor of 4.067, the highest it has ever been.
Study links restless legs syndrome to poor sleep quality, impaired daytime function in pregnant women
A new study of pregnant women shows that restless legs syndrome (RLS) is common and is strongly associated with poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and poor daytime function, which are frequent complaints during pregnancy.
Senate Republican leaders release revised healthcare bill
Following an unfavorable review by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Senate GOP leaders on Thursday issued a revised version of the Senate healthcare bill.
ECW may be used to report meaningful use as part of MACRA requirements
The US Department of Justice recently settled a False Claims Act case with eClinicalWorks (ECW) for misrepresenting its software’s capacity.
Trump administration nominates new CDC director
The Trump administration on Friday nominated Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald to be the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
NIH estimates that sleep research funding will decrease by 22 percent in FY 2018
The National Institutes of Health recently released a projection estimating that funding for sleep research will decrease by 22% to $254 million in fiscal year 2018, compared with the FY 2017 estimated (enacted) total of $327 million.
President Trump nominates Dr. Jerome Adams to be the next Surgeon General
President Trump recently announced his intent to nominate Dr. Jerome Adams to be the next U.S. Surgeon General.