CMS finalizes MACRA Rule on Quality Payment Program implementation
On Friday, Oct. 14, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized its ruling on the implementation of the Quality Payment Program (QPP) established under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
In Memoriam: Sleep research pioneer Laverne C. Johnson, PhD
The AASM regrets to announce the recent death of Laverne “Vern” C. Johnson, PhD, who was one of the founders of sleep research.
Anthropometric and dental measurements in children may identify risk for OSA
Children with OSA have significantly larger waist and hip circumferences, lower neck-waist ratios, and narrower first and second deciduous and first permanent molar intertooth distances compared to nonsnoring controls, reports a new study in the September issue of the Journal of Clincal Sleep Medicine.
Study treating insomnia patients with suvorexant shows success
A study in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that suvorexant 20/15 mg improved sleep onset and maintenance over 3 months of nightly treatment and was generally safe and well tolerated.
AASM seeks sleep physician to conduct accreditation site visits on West Coast
The AASM seeks an experienced board-certified sleep physician to perform professional site visits as part of the sleep facility and independent sleep medicine practice accreditation processes.
UMass Nursing receives $1.23 million NIH grant to study fatigue and sleep in chronic illness
The College of Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently was awarded a five-year, $1.23 million grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research to create a new center where scientists will develop technologies to help people with chronic illness manage fatigue and impaired sleep.
New Fitbit Research Library includes links to studies that gathered sleep data
As of Sept. 23, 2016, 23 of 112 identified publications that used a Fitbit gathered sleep data for analysis.
Polls reveal sentiments on health care issues at the forefront of policy debates
As the leaves turn to fall colors, social media is being inundated with discussions about the November elections on a variety of issues.
AASM Guide to MACRA will help you prepare for changes to physician payment
On Jan. 1, 2017, physicians and other health care providers will embark on the era of MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015, which will dramatically change how providers are paid by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Prepare to submit an abstract or session proposal for SLEEP 2017 in Boston
The SLEEP 2017 Call for Abstracts and Session Proposals has been posted online, giving you an opportunity to prepare for the opening of submissions on Oct. 28.
PQRSwizard now open for quality measure reporting
This year, the AASM is again offering a discounted rate for submission of data through the PQRSwizard registry, a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved reporting mechanism for the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS).
NIH webinars to help applicants navigate the grant submission and review process
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Center for Scientific Review will host three online briefings for applicants and reviewers in November and December 2016.
Application deadline for AASM Young Investigators Research Forum extended to Dec. 9
Young investigators in clinical and translational sleep medicine research can now apply for the 9th annual AASM Young Investigators Research Forum, which will be held April 12-14, 2017, in Bethesda, Maryland.
NTSB identifies fatigue as one factor in fatal trucking crash in Tennessee
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced today that a semitractor-trailer driver’s fatigue contributed to a 2015 multi-vehicle crash near Chattanooga, Tennessee, in which six people died and four were injured.
Study finds that CPAP therapy reduces acid reflux in people with sleep apnea
A new study suggests that CPAP therapy may help improve the symptoms of nocturnal gastroesophageal reflux in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Submit dental sleep medicine research award letter of intent by Tuesday, Oct. 4
The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM) is pleased to announce its first research award program, in partnership with the American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF).
In Memoriam: Avi Sadeh, pioneer in the field of pediatric sleep and actigraphy
The AASM regrets to announce that Professor Avi Sadeh, a pioneer in the field of pediatric sleep and actigraphy, died on Sept. 19, 2016.
Accredited facilities must implement Scoring Manual Version 2.3 rules by Oct. 1
All AASM-accredited sleep facilities are required to implement the rules in Version 2.3 of the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events
by Oct. 1, 2016.
Claim SLEEP 2016 CME credits or Letter of Attendance by Saturday, Oct. 1
SLEEP 2016 attendees who registered and paid for continuing medical education (CME) credit or a Letter of Attendance must submit a claim through the online system on or before Oct. 1, 2016, at 4 p.m. CDT.
Health care legislation being considered before the end of 2017
This edition of our AASM election news coverage will focus on the health care legislation the 114th Congress is expected to consider before the end of the year.
SLEEP switches submission platforms
The journal SLEEP will be published by Oxford University Press (OUP) beginning with the January 2017 issue. Part of this transition process requires switching from the current manuscript submission website, Rapid Review, to the OUP’s manuscript submission website that uses ScholarOne.
Study finds that oronasal masks are associated with higher CPAP pressure levels than nasal masks
Oronasal masks were associated with higher continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) requirements and higher residual apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea when compared to nasal and nasal pillow masks, according to a study in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Study suggests that EPAP is not likely to treat sleep apnea after acute stroke
A study in the September issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggest that nasal expiratory positive airway pressure (EPAP) is not an effective alternative to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in acute stoke patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
Prepare for the MACRA transition with help from the AASM
As president of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, I am keenly aware of the challenges you face in collecting fair reimbursement for the services you provide. Forthcoming changes, including the MACRA transition, will present new challenges for all physicians.
Support the field of sleep medicine by investing in the AASM PAC
Supporting the AASM PAC gives your specialty a greater voice on legislative and regulatory issues affecting your practice and your patients. The AASM PAC can only function through the generous contributions made by you and your fellow AASM members.