IN MEMORIUM Arthur Spielman PhD, sleep specialist passed away on July 25, 2015 in N.Y.
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We are aware that the Feb. 3 deadline is fast approaching. Currently, there are two license qualifying polysomnographic programs in NYS, Hudson Valley Community College and Genesee Community College. A third (Kingsborough Community College) is in process, however, not yet registered by NYSED.
It is not anticipated that four license qualifying programs will be in place by February 3, 2014.
The grandfathering alternate criteria that includes experience alone (21 hours/week for at least 3 years of the 5 years preceding the receight of the authorization application will be going away on February 3.
The grandfathering alternate criteria that includes certification by BRPT (by the RPSGT examination) with experience of at least 21 hours/week for 18 months of the 3 years preceding the department's receight of the authorization application will be extended to May 3, 2014.
Updates on the website are planned.
Regards,
Ann
NYS Boards for Nursing and Respiratory Therapy
January 9/ 2014
OCST Contracting
AASM demands that MVP in New York contract with qualified local OCST providersIn June 2012, New York payer MVP announced a new Sleep Study Benefit program that requires preauthorization for sleep testing and encourages the use of out of center sleep testing (OCST) in many patients. Recently, MVP announced a revision to its medical policy for OSA. Although the new policy includes some improvements, the AASM has continued to receive complaints from members about how MVP has implemented the policy, particularly regarding its restrictive contracting for OCST services. Qualified local providers of OCST have reported that they have been prohibited from joining the MVP network. As a result they have had to refer their patients to one of a few contracted providers or a national OCST service.
On behalf of its members, the AASM leadership has taken a strong stance with MVP.
In a letter sent May 14, 2013, the AASM demanded that MVP take action to improve its OCST contracting, with an emphasis on qualified local providers.
Full details of the Polysomnography Bill:
The State Register is here:
http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2012Meetings/July2012/712ppca1.pdf
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New Polysomnographic Technology Authorization Law Takes EffectChapter 262 of the Laws of 2012 established our 49th profession, Polysomnographic Technologists, more commonly known as Sleep Lab Techs. Polysomnographic Technologists play an integral role in patient care, including administering sleep tests and working with physicians to provide information needed for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. The Board of Regents adopted regulations on an emergency basis implementing the provisions of this law at their July meeting (http://www.regents.nysed.gov/meetings/2012Meetings/July2012/712ppca1.pdf). These regulations outline the coursework and clinical experience required for registration as a licensure-qualifying polysomnographic technology program, define the practice of Polysomnographic Technology, and set forth the requirements for authorization. The regulations also establish grandparenting provisions to enable those who began practicing in the field prior to the new law and regulations to receive authorization to continue to practice if they meet specified requirements, including experience requirements. Individuals applying under these special provisions must meet the grandparenting requirements by February 3, 2014.
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27th Northeast Sleep Society Annual Conference
Friday April 4-5, 2013
Trumbull Marriott Merritt Parkway
180 Hawley Lane, Trumbull, CT 06611
(203) 378-1400
http://www.northeastsleep.org/
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The 26th Northeast Sleep Society Annual Conference was hosted by The Weill Cornell Center for Sleep Medicine and The New York State Society of Sleep Medicine at the Westchester Marriott on March 30-31, 2012.
A detailed discussion of New York Law and how it pertains to education is presented in the Patient Advocacy section of the NYSSSM website
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The Polysomnographic Technologist BillPassed the Legislature on June 20th, 2011 and is awaiting the Governor's signature.
07/04 SIGNED BY CUOMO - Now Law !!
The Board of the New York State Society of Sleep Medicine,would want to thank each and everyone of you who helped in this effort.
Here is a link to the Bill: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A00354&term=2011&Summary=Y&Memo=Y
The Governor will now sign the Bill and we are assured by the Commisioner's Office of the State Education Department that they plan to follow the original legislation regarding polysomnographic licensure as they develop the regulations.
We'll know more as the year progresses and we'll be sure to keep in touch by email and posts to the NYSSSM website.
Again, thank you for all your phone calls to your legislators!! We could not have passed this Bill unanimously in both the Senate and the Assembly without you! And if you have a chance, give a call to Assemblyman Hoyt's office (518-455-4886) and thank him and James Cuozzo (Legislative Staff) for being our sponsor and champion!
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From the AASM: (September 22, 2011)
New York Assembly Bill 354 (AB 354), which establishes “authorization” for sleep technologists, was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 4, 2011. The bill requires an individual performing sleep procedures to obtain an authorization certificate issued by the State Education Department.
The authorization certificate, which is similar to licensure, will be issued to individuals who complete certain education, experience, and examination standards. The standards will be
developed by the Department. The bill also requires that the applicant be subjected to the full disciplinary and regulatory authority of the Department and the individual will need to reapply for authorization every three years.
The AASM has been working with the New York State Society of Sleep Medicine (NYSSSM) over the past 10 years to pass this licensure bill. Now that AB 354 has been enacted, the AASM will assist the NYSSSM on developing the regulatory language.
New York is the eleventh jurisdiction to require licensure for sleep technologists. New York now joins California, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon,
Tennessee, Virginia and Washington D.C. as the only jurisdictions with a Polysomnography Practice Act, which provides sleep technologists a specific licensure/certification pathway.
The AASM congratulates the NYSSSM and all of our members in New York who contributed to this successful effort.
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A very successful NYSSSM annual meeting was held on October 1st/2nd, 2010 in Albany, NY. There were nearly 200 participants and approximately 30 speakers and 30 exhibitors. We are very grateful for the support of our main sponsors without whom this meeting could not have taken place.
We will be posting the lectures on this website in the near future.
I would like to thank all who participated and made this first annual NYSSSM meeting a great success.
Michael Thorpy MD
President
NYSSSM
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On Sunday, January 24th 2010, Peter McGregor BSc, RPSGT, passed away unexpectedly after a cardiac arrest during a brief illness. Peter was the founder of the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists (APT, now known as the American Association of Sleep Technologists, AAST) and was registered technologist #001.
Peter was kind, generous, greatly respected and admired, and one of the nicest people that anyone would want to meet. He will be greatly missed.
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