Over the last several weeks, the AASM has provided a synopsis of certain provisions in the bill. This last synopsis will focus on long-term care. This includes the CLASS Act, Medicaid and requirements under Medicare and nursing facilities under Medicaid. 

With the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, there is much speculation on how this legislation will change clinical practice. While the unknowns are greater than what we currently understand about the ACA, the AASM has been analyzing what is in store for sleep medicine. The AASM has provided synopses of certain provisions in the bill.

In 2013, roughly $11 billion in total spending would be cut from Medicare and millions more from programs under the Affordable Care Act if automatic cuts outlined in the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA) take effect as scheduled on January 2, 2013 according to a White House Office of Management and Budget report.

The $716 billion in Medicare cuts in the Affordable Care Act will be felt disproportionately by insurers and providers in eight heavily populated states, according to a white paper published by the University of Minnesota.

Senate Bill 194 (SB 194), which establishes licensure for polysomnographic technologists, was recently passed by both legislative chambers was signed into law by Governor Markell on Wednesday, Sept. 12. The law requires that on July 1, 2014, any person who is engaged in the practice of Polysomnography in the state of Delaware must be properly trained and licensed.

The AASM has provided continuing analysis of the Affordable Care Act and what it means for sleep medicine. The latest entry in the ongoing series addresses coverage of preventative services. AASM government analysts also review the national components for prevention, wellness and public health activities. The health care reform includes additional provisions for employee wellness programs. The AASM examines these provisions in the full article.

Annual premiums for employer-based family health insurance increased by 4.5 percent in 2012, down from a 9 percent increase in 2011, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research and Educational Trust'sannual employer health benefits survey. However, the report also found that such premiums have increased by 97 percent since 2002, which is three times faster than wages and inflation.

The outcome of this important election may significantly affect the health care profession in general and specifically to sleep medicine practitioners. The fate of many essential health policy issues, including the Affordable Care Act and the Sustainable Growth Rate, could be determined by the outcome of this election. Because of the election’s significance, the AASM is providing members links to the health policy positions for Governor Romney and President Obama so members can review where they stand on the issues that impact your practice.

With the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, there is much speculation on how this legislation will change clinical practice. While the unknowns are greater than what we currently understand about the ACA, the AASM has been analyzing what is in store for sleep medicine. Over the next several weeks, the AASM website will provide a synopsis of certain provisions in the bill. This week will focus on improving quality/health system performance.

With the recent Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, there is much speculation on how this legislation will change clinical practice. While the unknowns are greater than what we currently understand about the ACA, the AASM has been analyzing what is in store for sleep medicine. Over the next several weeks, the AASM website will provide a synopsis of certain provisions in the bill. This week will focus on Cost Containment.