Once again reimbursement changes are coming to the sleep industry and physicians may take a hit. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine posted an article discussing two of the eight topics included in the AASM Summary: 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule. What was number one on the list? You guessed it, a lowering of reimbursement for most sleep services.
It’s hard to imagine the cuts continuing in an industry where a disorder like sleep apnea has been believed to have a direct correlation to:
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Brain Fog |
Anxiety |
Stroke |
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Depression |
Arrhythmia |
Low Blood Oxygen Level |
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High Blood Pressure |
Obesity |
Impotence |
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Congestive Heart Failure |
Glaucoma |
Type II Diabetes |
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Memory Loss |
Loss of balance |
Sleep Anxiety |
In addition to a possible financial impact, the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) requirements in 2014 may also increase the sleep apnea measures group to contain seven measures instead of the current number of four. Once again, making more work on the part of the sleep labs to avoid payment penalties.
These rulings are two more nails in the coffin of those labs not using a sleep lab management software solution. Now more than ever sleep labs need to run at their most efficient, have the ability to create quick reports, ensure the smooth flow of the sleep study and most importantly, make sure no patient falls through the cracks. The patient information needs to be secure and easily accessible from anywhere as well.
I think it’s worth a few minutes of time to check out what LabRetriever Sleep Lab Management Solution can do for your business. You can streamline workflow, automate processes and speak to some pretty great people who have physicians and their sleep labs in mind. We’re your partner in change.