News Express

AANEM Comments on 2024 Proposed Update to Physician Fee Schedule & QPP

September 15, 2023

On August 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its annual proposed rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule effective on or after January 1, 2024. AANEM staff drafted and submitted a 7-page comment letter that addressed all pertinent aspects of the 2,000+ page proposed rule, including calling on CMS to do everything in its power to avert drastic cuts to physician payments.

Deadline for Contesting 2022 MIPS Scores and Payment Adjustments Quickly Approaching

September 15, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently unveiled the Merit-based Incentive Payment Systems (MIPS) performance feedback and final scores for the 2022 performance year. These scores play a crucial role in determining whether a physician will receive a positive, neutral, or negative payment adjustment on Medicare services provided in 2024. The deadline for contesting the 2022 MIPS scores and payment adjustments is October 9, 2023.

Patient Safety: Assessing Fall Risk

September 15, 2023

Falls are a major cause of injury-related morbidity and disability leading to significant healthcare cost and impaired health. Learn how to assess fall risk in EDX laboratory.

Science News: Image Analysis Can Reliably Quantify Median Nerve Echogenicity and Texture Changes in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

September 15, 2023

The authors in this study aimed to assess the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of two quantitative methods as objective methods to assess median nerve echotexture changes in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared to controls.

National Study to Document Changes in Physician Practice Expense

September 06, 2023

The American Medical Association (AMA) is undertaking a new national study, supported by 173 healthcare organizations including AANEM, to collect representative data on physician practice expenses.

Science News: Preservation of Functional Descending Input to Paralyzed Upper Extremity Muscles in Motor Complete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

August 31, 2023

In this study, the authors investigated neurophysiological evidence of motor involvement in clinically paralyzed muscles in patients with complete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) using surface EMG.

Science News: Current and Emerging Prostheses for Partial Hand Amputation: A Narrative Review

August 21, 2023

This review article explored and compared several prosthetic options that have been investigated and marketed by researchers and companies. Some of these options include passive, body powered, activity-specific, and externally powered prostheses.

Brooke Eby Receives AANEM's 2023 Public Recognition Award

August 18, 2023

Brooke Eby has been awarded the 2023 Public Recognition Award for her remarkable commitment to raising awareness about muscle and nerve disorders. This award is given to public figures, celebrities, or entities that have made extraordinary contributions toward increasing public awareness.

Science News: Impaired B Cell Expression of the Inhibitory Fcγ Receptor IIB in Myasthenia Gravis

August 03, 2023

In this study, the authors report that FcγRIIB expression levels are substantially reduced in B lineage cells derived from immunotherapy-naïve patients with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive (Ab+) early-onset MG. In contrast, genetic variants associated with impaired FcγRIIB expression are not enriched in MG, indicating posttranscriptional dysregulation. The authors suggest that FcγRIIB-targeting therapies could have therapeutic benefits in AChR-Ab+ MG.

Teresa Spiegelberg, CNCT, R.NCS.T., R.EEG.T, BS, Receives Inaugural Outstanding Service Award

August 02, 2023

The AANEM Outstanding Service Award recognizes non physicians for their contributions to the fields of NM and EDX medicine. Teresa Spiegelberg, CNCT, R.NCS.T., R.EEG.T, BS, has been awarded the inaugural Outstanding Service Award for her dedicated service to patients, medical education, and AANEM.

Colin K. Franz, MD, PhD, Receives One of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards

August 02, 2023

Colin K. Franz, MD, PhD, has been awarded one of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards for his significant contribution as senior author of The Distribution of Acquired Peripheral Nerve Injuries Associated With Severe COVID-19 Implicate a Mechanism of Entrapment Neuropathy: A Multicenter Case Series and Clinical Feasibility Study of a Wearable, Wireless Pressure Sensor, published in the October 2022 issue of Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.

Elie Naddaf, MD, Receives One of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards

August 02, 2023

Elie Naddaf, MD, has been awarded one of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards for his significant contribution as senior author of Survival and Associated Comorbidities in Inclusion Body Myositis, which appeared in the September 2021 issue of Rheumatology. Co-authors include Shahar Shelly, Jay Mandrekar, Alanna M. Chamberlain, E. Matthew Hoffman, Floranne C. Ernst, and Teerin Liewluck.

Monika Krzesniak-Swinarska, MD, Receives AANEM’s 2023 Ernest Johnson Outstanding Educator Award

August 02, 2023

Monika Krzesniak-Swinarska, MD, has been awarded AANEM’s 2023 Ernest Johnson Outstanding Educator Award for her unwavering dedication to education in the fields of NM and EDX medicine.

Amanda C. Peltier, MD, MS, Receives AANEM’s 2023 Jun Kimura Outstanding Educator Award

August 02, 2023

Amanda C. Peltier, MD, MS, has been awarded AANEM’s 2023 Jun Kimura Outstanding Educator Award for her numerous contributions and dedication to advancing medical education in the fields of NM and EDX medicine.

David R. Cornblath, MD, Receives AANEM’s 2023 Distinguished Researcher Award

August 02, 2023

David R. Cornblath, MD, has been awarded AANEM’s 2023 Distinguished Researcher Award for his contributions to the study of peripheral neuropathies and his extensive research in the fields of NM and EDX medicine. This award honors AANEM members who have made a significant impact on clinical neurophysiological, NM medicine, or MSK research.

Bassam A. Bassam, MD, Receives AANEM’s 2023 Distinguished Physician Award

August 02, 2023

Bassam A. Bassam, MD, has been awarded AANEM’s 2023 Distinguished Physician Award for his exceptional contributions to patient care, research, and education in the fields of NM and EDX medicine. This prestigious award honors AANEM members who have provided distinguished service as a clinician and/or educator and been an active supporter of AANEM activities.

John C. Kincaid, MD, Receives AANEM's Prestigious 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award

August 02, 2023

John C. Kincaid, MD, has been awarded AANEM’s 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifelong dedication to research, patient care, advocacy, and education. This award is the highest honor bestowed by AANEM, and is given to members who are recognized as major contributors in the fields of NM and EDX medicine.

Trainee Talk: Top 3 Training Program Partnership (TPP) Benefits for Residents & Fellows

July 24, 2023

Top 3 Training Program Partnership (TPP) Benefits for Residents & Fellows

Science News: Immune Response and Safety of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 Vaccine in Patients With Myasthenia Gravis

July 24, 2023

This prospective study investigated the safety profile of mRNA-1273 vaccine and its ability to induce humoral and cellular responses in patients with mysthenia gravis (MG).

Science News: Epidemiology, Survival, and Clinical Characteristics of Inclusion Body Myositis

July 07, 2023

In this study, the authors conducted a population-based study on inclusion body myositis (IBM) with the primary aims to define the disease prevalence, survival rate, and incidence, and to investigate the symptom profiles associated with disease duration and sex over a 33-year period. A total of 128 patients fulfilled the clinicopathological definition of IBM.