AAPM&R Connection E-Newsletter

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August 5, 2015 Issue at-a-Glance

  • #AAPMR2015 Early Bird Deadline is Today
  • CMS Issues Final Rules Outlining 2016 Medicare Payment Policies
  • PQRS Reporting Resources
  • IRF QRP Data Submission Deadline: August 15
  • LTCH QRP Data Submission Deadline: August 15
  • Residents and Recent Graduates: Renew Your Dues!
  • Fulfill Your ABPMR MOC Part II Requirement
  • CMS Hosts National Provider Call: Countdown to ICD-10
  • Meaningful Use Stage 1 and Stage 2 Attestation Guides
  • CMS Updates the Open Payments CME Guidance

AAPM&R Scheduled Website Maintenance

Your Academy’s website will undergo maintenance this Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9. The website will not be available during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience. Keep an eye out for an email on Friday, August 7 featuring updates to your online experience on the Academy websites.

Residents – Prepare for the August 17 ABPMR Part 1 Exam with the Certification Exam Prep Qbank!

Check out the new Certification Exam Prep Qbank– a valuable study tool featuring more than 800 questions to help you prepare.
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2015 PM&R Coding Companion

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Academy News

2015 Annual Assembly – Early Bird Registration Deadline is Today! Register today for the 2015 AAPM&R Annual Assembly– you can save $310 if you register by the end of the day!

Don’t miss the excitement and education in Boston this October 1-{05d3b13d-e1e3-4c64-992c-1bc06b686c5b}_AA_Logo_2015-RGB-abr-sm4. Connect with leaders in PM&R through hands-on workshops, intensive workshops, preconference courses, networking opportunities, and a variety of educational sessions.

Clinically Relevant Content for Today’s Physiatrist
Networking Opportunities
Check out a complete schedule-at-a-glanceand take advantage of member savings by registering today!

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Check out our new Annual Assembly video!

CMS Issues Final Rules Outlining 2016 Medicare Payment Policies and Rates

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued final rules to update fiscal year (FY) 2016 Medicare payment policies and rates. The provisions implemented for FY 2016 are summarized below.

Medicare Skilled Nursing Facilities Ruling
Medicare Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities Ruling
Inpatient and Long-term Care Hospital Ruling

As your voice in Washington, D.C, Academy staff works to advance the specialty and recognize its important contribution to the health, function, and quality of life for patients around the country, before Congress and federal agencies.

You will be receiving an email communication from your Academy on how these new rulings will affect physiatry soon. Please also watch for an article in an upcoming issue ofThe Physiatrist.

PQRS Reporting Resources PQRS Measures

Groups are now open for 2015 registration. Visit the Academy’s websiteto learn more about the PQRSwizard®—the Academy Sponsored PQRS Registry Reporting Vendor. You have untilFebruary 26, 2016to avoid up to a4% penalty.{166cdc4c-0cb1-448e-8c09-80faa0b88577}_PQRSwizard
  • Be Proactive– Utilize Your Academy’s PQRSwizard®Too l-Save time and report your quality data through the PQRSwizard®, the most efficient method of reporting data. This web-based approach offers an easy, step-by-step wizard to help you quickly validate and submit your quality data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for incentive payment.
  • 2015 Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Measures for Physiatry–this includes AAPM&R vetted PQRS Measures for 2015.

IRF QRP Data Submission Deadline: August 15

The Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) first quarter CY 2015 quality data must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm (PT) on August 15, 2015. For additional information on the upcoming IRF QRP data submission deadline, including a list of quality measure data that is due, visit the IRF QRP Spotlights and Announcements web page.

LTCH QRP Data Submission Deadline: August 15

The Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Quality Reporting Program (QRP) second quarter CY 2015 quality data must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm (PT) on August 15, 2015. For additional information on the upcoming LTCH QRP data submission deadline, including a list of quality measure data that is due, visit the LTCH QRP Spotlights and Announcements web page.

Residents and Recent Graduates: Renew Your Dues!

Dues renewal is now open until September 15, 2015. You are eligible for renewal if you meet 1 of the following criteria:
    • You are a resident.
    • You are in a fellowship (fellowship application must be submitted to AAPM&R).
    • You graduated from your residency program in 2014 or 2015.
    • You are a medical student with aPM&Rsubscription.
    All eligible members have received an AAPM&R dues invoice. You can renew your dues by submitting your payment with the invoice or simply renew online.

    Fulfill Your ABPMR MOC* Part II Requirement

    Looking to fulfill part II of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirement, set forth by the American Board of PM&R (ABPMR)? AAPM&R offers more than 10 Self-Assessment Exams for{a8dc93ff-673a-4cef-8db6-83a6ac123612}_moc_2_boxPractitioners (SAE-Ps) to help you meet this requirement. Plus, each SAE-P is eligible for up to 8AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

    Your Academy offers SAE-Ps on regenerative medicine(new in 2015!), geriatricssports medicinemusculoskeletal medicine,brain injuryspasticity, and more! Check out our full SAE-P offerings in the ®catalog.

    *Maintenance of Certification®(MOC®) was developed by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) to improve patient care by ensuring continuous lifelong learning and professional development throughout a physician’s medical career. For board-certified physiatrists, the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) sets MOC requirements that are customized to the specialty and ensure compliance with ABMS Standards. Recognizing that physicians participating in that process want a variety of options to meet these requirements, your Academy has developed a series of resources that satisfy the different components of MOC. All Academy tools available to help you meet MOC requirements can be found on mē®.

    CMS Hosts National Provider Call: Countdown to ICD-10

    On Thursday, August 27 from 2:30 pm-4 pm (ET), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a call with Sue Bowman from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) and Nelly Leon-Chisen from the American Hospital Association (AHA) to give coding guidance and tips, along with updates from CMS including how to get answers to coding questions, claims that span the implementation date, and other provider resources. Visit MLN Connects Event Registrationto sign up.

    Meaningful Use Stage 1 and Stage 2 Attestation Guides

    These resources outline the requirements for meaningful use reporting and include specific implementation guidance for physiatry.

    CMS Updates the Open Payments CME Guidance

    CMS updated the Open Payments Law and Policy web page with information about the new reporting requirements for Continuing Medical Education (CME) in the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule. See the FAQ for more information.

    Their Help Desk is now available by calling (855) 326-8366 or emailing openpayments@cms.hhs.gov; Monday-Friday from 9 am-5 pm (ET), excluding federal holidays.

    AboutAAPM&R Connection

    This newsletter is emailed twice a month to AAPM&R members. For submissions or questions regardingConnection, email submissions@aapmr.org.
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