Although negotiators spent the holiday weekend discussing a deficit reduction deal, a compromise to avoid looming mandated spending reductions under sequestration seems distant. Both Republicans and Democrats have suggested a willingness to work together to reach a deal, but a "wide gap" remains on taxes and changes to entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Washington Post.

On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the Office of Inspector General's (OIG) Semiannual Report to Congress was posted on the OIG website. The final pages of the report summarize the OIG’s response to seven proposals and recommendations it received for new or modified “safe harbors,” which would protect health care providers and others from liability under the federal anti-kickback statute or related administrative authorities. The OIG had issued its annual solicitation for such proposals in December 2011.

The Obama administration in the near future is expected to announce several decisions on how provisions of the Affordable Care Act will be implemented.

Medicare Part B premiums will increase by $5 per month next year. According the Federal Register, the monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $104.90, up by 5 percent from $99.90 in 2012. Annual deductibles for Part B also will rise, from $140 to $147.

President Obama and congressional leaders agreed to a two-stage approach to avoid looming mandated spending cuts under sequestration, which include cuts to Medicare provider payments.

In a November 9 letter to governors, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is giving states more time to submit health insurance exchange plans. States planning to run their own exchange are required to notify HHS by November 16. The deadline for submitting an exchange plan has been extended to December 14. States that are planning to pursue a partnership exchange now have until February 15 to submit a plan. The revised deadlines are not expected to affect the January 2014 launch of all state exchanges.

On August 3, 2012, New York established ‘authorization’ for sleep technologists. Individuals must now hold an authorization certificate from the State Education Department to provide sleep technology services or to use the title “Authorized Polysomnographic Technologist”. Licensed individuals who are already permitted to practice sleep technology services within their scope of practice, including respiratory therapists and respiratory therapy technicians, may continue to do so without obtaining the sleep technology authorization.

A 2 percent reduction to all Medicare reimbursement and a 27 percent cut to Medicare physician reimbursement rates under the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula likely will not happen, according to White House and congressional officials, American Medical News reports.

Over the last several weeks, the AASM has been providing members information about the 2012 election through the Weekly Update and special email alerts. The AASM felt it was important to supply members educational material since the presidency, 33 Senate seats and every Congressional seat was under challenge. This election was significantly important to the health care profession in general and specifically to sleep medicine practitioners since the fate of many essential health policy issues, including the Affordable Care Act and the Sustainable Growth Rate, could be affected.

Your 2013 membership dues help the AASM PAC support legislators who will champion our Safe Harbor initiative and profession. A Safe Harbor will allow sleep physicians to provide a sleep test and dispense DME to their Medicare patients. It is crucial that the AASM PAC has sufficient funds to keep our industry’s vital interests well represented in Washington, so please renew today. Already renewed but still want to donate? Contribute to the AASM PAC.