The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reviewing claims and letting practices know which clinicians need to take part in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), an important part of the new Quality Payment Program (QPP).

The Federation of State Medical Boards (FMSB) recently announced that the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission (IMLCC) has officially launched the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which is a voluntary, expedited pathway to licensure for qualified physicians who wish to practice in multiple states through the use of telemedicine technologies.

A new study published in Health Affairs estimates that the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) could reduce Medicare spending by up to $106 billion for physician services and up to $250 billion for hospital services through 2030.

The 2017 Medscape Physician Compensation Report shows that physician incomes have steadily increased over the past 7 years.

In a recent Health Affairs blog post, leaders from 10 prominent health systems and the American Medical Association (AMA) described the findings from a September 2016 summit to discuss the problem of burnout among physicians and other health professionals.

A recent report from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) is projecting that the United States will face a shortage of between 40,800 and 104,900 physicians by 2030.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) members and sleep centers in Medicare Jurisdiction 15, which comprises Parts A/B for Kentucky and Ohio, should be aware of a new local coverage determination issued by CGS Administrators, LLC regarding coverage for Polysomnography and Other Sleep Studies (L36902).

The AMA/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) is a unique, multi-specialty committee dedicated to describing the resources required to provide physician services. In the coming weeks, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine will be conducting a RUC survey of the CPT codes for home sleep apnea testing (95800, 95801, 95806).