April 23, 2009 ENT Buyers Guide >  AAO-HNS Quick Links >   Education & Research    Conferences & Events    Community    Practice & Advocacy    Health Information    About Us
The Bulletin Is Now Available Online! We are excited to announce that the magazine you have grown to depend on, the Bulletin, now has a presence that allows you even deeper access! Every article from the printed Bulletin will appear online in a fully searchable format, with many more exciting features coming soon. See the online edition of the Bulletin. Mark Your Calendars! Annual Meeting Registration Approaching We are pleased to announce that registration and housing opens May 4 for the 2009 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in San Diego, Calif., Oct. 4-7. The event is expected to draw over 9,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibiting companies. Be prepared for outstanding educational activities, information on the latest otolaryngic products and services, and great networking opportunities. See the most up-to-date information. OHANCAW Outreach Materials Now Online Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week begins Sunday, April 27, and is a great opportunity to educate the public about the risks associated with head and neck cancers. To make your job easier, the Academy has prepared a new set of fact sheets, press releases, and other materials designed to help you reach patients and your local media. Access them here (Login required). 'Cancer Risk of Nicotine Gum and Lozenges Higher Than Thought' from The Times (UK) Nicotine chewing gum, lozenges, and inhalers designed to help people give up smoking may have the potential to cause cancer, research has suggested. Scientists have discovered a link between mouth cancer and exposure to nicotine, which may indicate that using oral nicotine replacement therapies for long periods could contribute to a raised risk of the disease. More # 1 Doctor Recommended Nosebleed Treatment # 1 Brand in Pharmacies – Patient Availability 1st FDA Approved OTC Nosebleed Treatment Quick and Convenient Way To Stop Nosebleeds  Releases calcium (coagulant) to quickly stop bleeding  Absorbs blood (absorbs up to twenty times its weight)  Easy insertion and removal within thirty minutes  Patient gets right back to what they were doing  No sticking to / disturbing of new clots – no rebleeds                Click here for free patient samples and literature with coupons                Click here for additional information Acupuncture Relieves ‘Dry Mouth’ Discomfort in Cancer Patients from Medpage Today Even though it didn't significantly increase saliva flow, acupuncture improved symptoms of "dry mouth" in head-and-neck cancer patients, according to new research. In a pilot study, 19 patients with xerostomia resulting from radiation therapy had significantly improved measurements of physical well being and quality of life, when treated twice a week for eight weeks with acupuncture, researchers reported online in Head & Neck. More Ten Reasons Doctors Get Burned Out from The Wall Street Journal Health Blog Researchers say there’s a fine line separating dedication from overwork; if unchecked, overwork could lead to counterproductive, unhealthy, or even self-destructive behavior that may affect patient care. More Boston Hospital Performs Face Transplant from AP A team of Brigham and Women’s Hospital surgeons, including AAO-HNS member Donald J. Annino, Jr., MD, DMD, has performed the nation's second partial face transplant on a man who suffered traumatic facial injuries from an accident. More Academy Launches Industry Round Table Strategic Sponsorship Program Acknowledging the changing role of industry support within the medical community, while striving to advance the specialty, the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery announced this week a new strategic corporate sponsorship program called the AAO-HNS Industry Round Table Program (IRT). The IRT program is the premier corporate funding group of the AAO-HNS, providing completely unrestricted funds that work to advance the art, science, and ethical practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery through education, research, and lifelong learning. By working together, both AAO-HNS and industry can better serve and communicate with the otolaryngology specialty, its practitioner, and patients. Learn more. New AcademyU Course - Barrett’s Esophagus Barrett’s esophagus is a change in the esophageal mucosa most likely related to chronic reflux disease. Identification of suspected Barrett’s esophagus on endoscopy is an important part of the esophageal examination. Earn up to 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. View the latest course. BD Medical – Ophthalmic Systems provides BD Beaver™ ENT/Head & Neck blades are designed to help enhance control and operative efficiency in a wide range of procedures, from facial nerve dissection to myringotomy and tonsillectomy. Because the requirements of each product are so unique and specialized, each BD Beaver blade is shaped, angled and honed to help achieve the desired clinical result. Download a Brochure Visit our Web site “Red Flags” Rule Fact Sheet We have posted a fact sheet regarding the Federal Trade Commission’s “Red Flags” rule, which will become effective on May 1, 2009. The regulation requires creditors (such as practices) who offer and maintain covered accounts to implement written policies to prevent identity theft. View the fact sheet. What Vendors Are You Using for EMRs? The Academy is interested in finding out what EHR/EMR systems provide your practices with E-prescribing functions, electronic exchange of medical records, and interoperability. Email us with the name of the EMR or EHR vendor at Healthpolicy@entnet.org Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) and Medically Unlikely Edits (MUE) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reiterated that physicians who receive a denial due to an MUE should not use an ABN to bill a patient for the excess units of services denied. More New Interest Rate for Medicare Overpayments and Underpayments Medicare contractors will charge an interest rate of 11.00% effective April 16, 2009, for Medicare overpayments and underpayments. More Academy Offers Comments on Medical Policies On April 16, 2009, the Academy sent letters to Wisconsin Physician Services and Anthem Blue Cross regarding their coverage policies for Mandibular Segmental Osteotomy with Genioglossus Advancement and the bundling CPT codes 31240 and 31255, respectively. For more details, or if you’re experiencing any payer issues, contact the Health Policy department at 1-703-535-3727 or healthpolicy@entnet.org. Register for the Conference Call on ICD-10 Final Rule CMS is hosting a conference call, “Implementation and General Equivalence Mappings (Crosswalks),” on the ICD-10 final rule on May 19, 2009, from 1-2:30pm Eastern time. Register here. Time Running Out to Request Your 2008 CME Transcript! April 30th is the last day to receive a complimentary copy of your 2008 AAO-HNSF CME transcript. After April 30th, there will be a $35 charge. Please contact the Education Department to receive a complimentary copy. Allergychoices – Add Sublingual Immunotherapy to Your Practice Confidently treat, efficiently integrate, and effectively communicate sublingual immunotherapy through Allergychoices compounding pharmacy, laboratory, and marketing services. More info or call 866.793.1680   International Update Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week Across the World Thanks to International Corresponding Societies and other contacts around the world, OHANCAW will be observed April 27-May 3 with free screenings, health fairs, and much more. View the screening locations. Deadline for China Tour Booking April 30 is the deadline for paying the balance on the deposit for the China tour, June 18-July 1. Join KJ Lee, MD, and Academy leaders for the tour and take part in the 2nd Hua-Ren Conference in Macau, China. Full itinerary here.   Humanitarian Update Humanitarian Resident Travel Grants--Reminder! Don't wait to start applying for a $1,000 travel grant if you plan a humanitarian mission July-December 2009 and are a resident or fellow in training. The application deadline is May 31. More ENTSafety Refurbished and pre-owned ENT equipment can sometimes save significant capital and supply costs. Email: arme@optonline.net to discuss your equipment and surplus supply needs. ENT chairs, rigid and semi-rigid scopes, HD and digital cameras, surgical handpieces and systems and more. Worldwide. ARME: 877-633-6673.	Grassroots Media and PR Handbook Now Online Download this comprehensive resource to get an A-to-Z explanation of what goes into effective media and public relations activities and how the Academy is working to promote the field of otolaryngology. More It’s Springtime – Are Your Patients Prepared for Seasonal ENT Health? Seasonal change can aggravate allergies, and spring is here. Make sure your patients know the facts about allergies and hayfever, swimmer's ear, skin cancer, and other ear, nose, and throat conditions that come with rising temperatures and pollen counts. View our selection of patient leaflets; all available in the AAO-HNS/F MarketPlace on the Featured Products page. More