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February 2017 - Vol. 36, No. 01
Managing cerumen in children
Infants and children have frequent contact with their primary care physicians, both for regular well-child visits and for times of sickness. Otoscopic examination is typically performed at most visits, and cerumen is commonly identified, with studies citing a 10 percent prevalence of cerumen in the pediatric population and up to three-fold that amount in individuals with significant cognitive disabilities.
Leading Edge
Challenges and opportunities ahead
Following most elections in which a new administration and Members of Congress are seated, there is considerable discussion and anxiety over what changes will ensue. The current transition is particularly interesting given that we are in the middle of a major evolution in the healthcare delivery system that started with the previous administration.
Change and Plan B
Things change. Medicine changes. The Affordable Care Act represented change, and now that may change.
Hypoglossal nerve stimulator: New Category III codes
New Category III codes have been established in the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) 2017 code set to report implantation of a hypoglossal nerve stimulation system that includes the placement of a chest wall sensor. Previously, this entire service was reported with code 64999, Unlisted procedure, nervous system (see CPT Assistant September 2011). This article provides an overview of these changes.
Call for 2017 Jerome C. Goldstein, MD Public Service Award nominees
The Jerome C. Goldstein, MD Public Service Award is given annually to recognize an outstanding Member for his or her commitment and achievement in service within the United States, either to the public or to other organizations, when such service promises to improve patient welfare.
AAO-HNS Member Call to Action
Join the Stop the Bleed® initiative and the bleeding control initiative from the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the ACS Committee on Trauma, and the Hartford Consensus. This is a nationwide campaign empowering individuals to act quickly and save lives—much like the successful CPR education campaigns that began decades ago.
Top 100 ENT services for 2017
The Academy has prepared resources outlining the 100 most frequently reported Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes by providers with subspecialty designation “4-Otolaryngology” within the Medicare enrollment database. In order to continue to provide the most up-to-date resources for our membership, two updated charts are now available for the 2017 Top 100 ENT Codes Billed in a Physician Office and the 2017 Top 100 ENT Codes Billed in the Hospital Outpatient Department.
CPT changes for 2017: What ENTs Need to Know
There are several Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) code changes for 2017 applicable to otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons. Below is a summary of these changes. If you have any questions regarding CPT code changes for 2017, please contact the Health Policy team.
Academy updates CPT for ENT articles
As part of a process to continue to provide the most up-to-date resources for our membership, Academy Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) experts have begun to re-evaluate and update the Academy’s list of CPT for ENT articles.
Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty
The primary purpose of the “Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty” is twofold: 1. to fill the current void of multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines available to clinicians and patients and 2. to provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians, who either perform rhinoplasty or are involved in the care of a rhinoplasty candidate, to optimize patient care, promote effective diagnosis and therapy, and reduce harmful or unnecessary variations in care.
NYU team provides surgical care in Haiti
Dylan Francis Roden, MD, MPH, and a group of 10 from New York University (NYU) worked alongside Haitian surgeons, nurses, surgical technicians, and anesthetists for a week in September 2016.
AAO-HNS/F Seeks Chair for Ethics Committee
AAO-HNS/F Boards of Directors are seeking applications for the position of Chair of the AAO-HNS/F Ethics Committee. The chair-elect would serve from October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018, then as chair for a term of four years beginning October 1, 2018, with a possible two-year extension at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Examining diversity in the AAO-HNS
Diversity and inclusion, as well as cultural competency, are now well-known focuses in most organizations and institutions. Studies have proved that diverse work places and environments lead to increased productivity, creativity, and overall success in the workplace. Our Academy is striving to define our diversity and inclusion as well as create a strong element of cultural competency.
Practice Management eCourses
Eleven new eCourses from AcademyU®, will help you understand and manage your otolaryngology practice and get some credit too.
Become a mentor/mentee on mENTorConnect today
mENTorConnect is designed to help bring AAO-HNS Members together to provide a unique opportunity for personal and professional growth through the creation of mentor relationships.
WIO Endowment opportunities
The Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) Endowment was established in 2010 with the generous donations of many forward-thinking men and women who understood the challenges that women in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery face. The idea of an endowment to provide a perpetual stream of earnings, which could be used to address and eliminate the obstacles to career success, struck a chord with many.
Leaders of the PAC
The ENT PAC Board of Advisors thanks our Leadership Club Investors for their generous support to ensure the specialty has a powerful voice on Capitol Hill.
The first 100 days
After a hyper-partisan campaign season and some November election surprises, the dust slowly began to settle on Capitol Hill in late 2016. During that time, President-elect Trump’s “Transition Team” arrived in the nation’s capital and both chambers of Congress, without much fanfare, reaffirmed their respective leadershipThen, the planning began.
Frequently asked questions on MIPS reporting in 2017
The Academy has received several inquiries from Members asking about the MIPS program and how they can report in 2017. In response to these questions, the Academy has put together a frequently asked questions document to help Members.
Reg-ent℠: the right registry at the right time
The AAO-HNS/F’s Reg-ent is an otolaryngology-specific clinical data registry that is becoming the foundation for quality reporting, quality indicators, quality improvement, clinical and product research, and support for maintenance of certification and licensure.
Practice Profile: North Texas Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, PA
North Texas Ear, Nose & Throat Associates (NTENT) was established in 1995 with a shared vision by eight otolaryngologists who joined together in response to changing market forces in Dallas, TX. Dr. Lee, together with co-founder John Moore, MD, grew NTENT to almost 100 members by 2013.
Board of Governors: The BOG and the Leadership Forum
What is the easiest way to get involved with the Academy? The Board of Governors (BOG)!
