Published: April 1, 2019

Just what the doctor ordered

The Administrator Support Community for ENT (ASCENT) is the only association dedicated to supporting the leaders in the unique specialty of otolaryngology practice management. Formerly known as the Association of Otolaryngology Administrators (AOA), ASCENT has a long history of providing resources, networking, and education to administrators, managers, supervisors, and coders in otolaryngology practices that helps the practice, physicians, and ultimately the patient.

The Administrator Support Community for ENT (ASCENT) is the only association dedicated to supporting the leaders in the unique specialty of otolaryngology practice management. Formerly known as the Association of Otolaryngology Administrators (AOA), ASCENT has a long history of providing resources, networking, and education to administrators, managers, supervisors, and coders in otolaryngology practices that helps the practice, physicians, and ultimately the patient.

Ascent

Resources—when you need them

ASCENT has more than 3,000 policies and procedures, booklets, plans, and customizable forms available to members on its website, www.askASCENT.org. These include forms, job descriptions, policies, and procedures for any area of the ENT practice. Members also have access to the ASCENT Discussion Forums on our engagemENT platform to ask questions, share ideas, and respond to fellow professionals with your expertise and advice. engagemENT also houses discussion boards for coding questions that are monitored by a certified professional coder and discussion boards to talk to members by practice size or type. ASCENT offers other resources and manuals available at special discounted member pricing.

Tools for your office and staff

We know that finding time to educate staff is a difficult but important part of your business. ASCENT has several tools and resources at discounted pricing to make your job more efficient and effective at special member pricing:

  • ASCENT University training modules on topics such as bloodborne pathogens, fraud and abuse compliance, and basic finance
  • ENT-specific salary and benchmarking surveys to ensure your practice is on target
  • ASCENT Resource Manual, a one-stop resource for all things practice management
  • and many more

Expand your network

Do you need to find your same EMR system? Is your manager new to the industry and looking for advice from a seasoned professional? ASCENT offers networking opportunities galore! Peer to peer networking and engagemENT opportunities allow ASCENT members to enhance their understanding of practice trends and find solutions to their challenges while meeting others in the profession.

Timely information at your fingertips

ASCENT is always reaching out to inform members of what’s happening in ENT and healthcare. Members receive the weekly ASCENT digital e-newsletter, packed with association and ENT news, as well as legislative alerts when announcements are made that affect otolaryngology. The monthly ENT Voice provides in-depth legislative and payer information in an easy-to-understand format. Fast Practice is a monthly newsletter that provides synopses of the leading business of medicine reviews that can be read or downloaded as a podcast to keep you updated. engagemENT LIVE is a weekly text survey where each question is sent directly to your smartphone to respond, and the results are then sent later in the week in a colorful graphic. The ASCENT Blog includes entries written on a variety of topics and posted to the website and social media a few times per week.

Continuing education opportunities

ASCENT educates thousands of ENT business professionals annually through continuing education opportunities, available at special member pricing:

  • More than 30 live webinars yearly and a library of more than 100 webinar recordings
  • ASCENT Annual Educational Conference, a live three-day conference filled with more than 18 hours of education offerings and networking opportunities

Industry-specific certification

The Certification in Otolaryngology Practice Management (COPM) is the only certification specific to ENT. The COPM exam is a knowledge-based test that examines six core areas related directly to otolaryngology practice management. Take the step to advance your career through our Pathway to Certification to demonstrate your commitment to the profession and lifelong learning. ASCENT members receive steep discounts on certification study tools and testing.

We have a lot to offer your practice. Stop by www.askASCENT.org and check out membership for your practice leaders today.

More from April 2019 – Vol. 38, No. 3
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Candidate Statements – Audit Committee
What is your particular experience or interest that would make you an affective member of the Audit Committee of the Academy?
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Candidate Statements – Nominating Committee: Academic
How will you select candidates for Academy leadership that best represent our diverse membership? What experience do you have that will aid in selecting leaders that will advance the mission of the Academy?
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Candidate Statements – Nominating Committee: Private Practice
How will you select candidates for Academy leadership that best represent our diverse membership? What experience do you have that will aid in selecting leaders that will advance the mission of the Academy?
LaKeisha_Henry_At-Large_Private
Candidate Statements – Director-At-Large: Private Practice
What do you see as the essential task of the Directors and in what ways are you well suited to the role? What do you think is the most important item in the Academy’s strategic plan?
Robert_Sataloff_At-Large_Academic
Candidate Statements – Director-At-Large: Academic Practice
What do you see as the essential task of the Directors and in what ways are you well suited to the role? What do you think is the most important item in the Academy’s strategic plan?
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Candidate Statements – President-Elect
What are the strengths of the Academy that will lead us forward in our specialty and how will you capitalize on those strengths? What do you think is the most important item in the Academy’s strategic plan?
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Previewing the proposed bylaw changes
There are several important bylaws amendments that will be on the ballot as part of the upcoming election opening May 6. Take time to review these proposed changes before casting your vote.
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‘Meet Our Academy Member Donors’ Online brochure
The AAO-HNS Foundation sincerely thanks all our donors for generously giving back to their specialty in support of today’s programs and in ensuring the future of the specialty for the next generation.
WIOPhoto
Women in Otolaryngology Day
This year, on March 3, many in the otolaryngology community celebrated the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) section and its members. This day, which we hope will occur every year on the Sunday after the Otolaryngology Training Examination/In-Service exam, bolstered an already growing community within our specialty. Around the country, local WIO groups met for social, educational, and supportive events.
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Humanitarian Service: Facial reconstructive surgery in Belize
“Life is about people.” Those are the words that my grandfather used to tell me, and I’ve evaluated my own life based on my interactions with other people. I went into facial plastic and reconstructive surgery so that I would be able to make a personal difference in many people’s lives, whether it was repairing congenital anomalies, facial trauma, skin cancers, or aesthetic concerns.
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Physician safety is patient safety: Good surgical ergonomics to optimize patient care
Physicians selflessly provide care to their patients over the course of a 30 to 40-year career. Ideally, we stay healthy and rarely get sick or suffer a serious injury.  However, we are not immune from physical infirmity and—like a professional athlete—simply often choose to “play through the pain.”
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What you need to know about MIPS Year Three (Y3)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented extensive updates for Y3 of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Key programmatic changes for 2019 address eligible clinicians, technology requirements, performance categories, scoring methodology, measures, and objectives, as well as thresholds and bonus points.
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Your Academy around the world
Since its inception, the AAO-HNSF has cultivated ties to national otolaryngology societies and similar organizations around the world. AAO-HNSF assigns great importance to these relationships, which collectively advance the otolaryngology specialty in ways no one society can achieve alone.
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What’s in a name?
Your practice has a name, of course, and a logo to go along with it. But what exactly is your practice’s brand? A well-designed logo might look appealing, but it’s the emotion evoked, such as trust, comfort, and personalism, that makes it stick in a person’s mind.
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Engagement Opportunities Series: Become an Advocate for the Specialty
In today’s regulatory and legislative climate, it’s vital for U.S. otolaryngologists to use their clinical expertise to advocate on behalf of the specialty. The AAO-HNS provides numerous opportunities for members to influence federal and state healthcare policies, communicate with elected officials, and advocate for patients.
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One click to advocate
Effective grassroots advocacy starts with you! AAO-HNS members can reinforce the Academy’s legislative efforts on Capitol Hill by calling, emailing, and tweeting their members of Congress. This additional layer of constituent-based outreach amplifies the specialty’s position when Congress debates major healthcare issues.
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Advocacy in action: An overview of federal and state legislative priorities
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) is committed to the enactment of legislation that will strengthen the delivery of, and access to, quality healthcare. In 2019, the AAO-HNS anticipates action on the following issues at the federal and state levels:
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UK simulation-based otolaryngology-head and neck surgery “Boot Camp”
Medical training has shifted over recent years to a focus on developing trainee competence and proficiency according to predetermined approved standards. A challenge has been to deliver this training paradigm within a time-restricted program, which has had a significant impact, especially on surgical specialities where developing expertise relies heavily on appropriate clinical exposure.
James C. Denneny III, MD AAO-HNS/F EVP/CEO
Otolaryngologists can affect change by working together
Advocacy in the medical association world is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of activities across many fronts with the end goal of defining and delivering the best healthcare outcomes for our patients. Typically, areas that receive the highest attention and resources include federal and state legislation, regulatory agencies, and private payer issues.
Albert L. Merati, MD AAO-HNS/F Past President
Your vote, your future
This month’s edition of the Bulletin features statements from our candidates for AAO-HNS/F leadership positions. Please read and consider them as we approach our annual election, which opens in May. I would like to thank our AAO-HNS Nominating Committee for presenting all of us a superb slate of candidates.