What's new...
ASGE Members Receive Discount on Boston International Live Web-cast
Boston International Live Endoscopy Course, September 25-27, will provide simultaneous live satellite transmissions featuring over 60 cases performed by an outstanding national and international faculty. This course is also available through a worldwide simultaneous web-cast. ASGE members will receive discounted registration for participating on-line. Login to members only and click here to learn how to access the discount. For more information about the course, visit www.bilec.com.
Grant Application Deadlines
In 2008, the ASGE Foundation has distributed more than $950,000 for endoscopic research projects. Funding opportunities exist at all career levels and for a wide variety of research topics. Application deadlines for the following grants are just around the corner. Read more . . .
- September 5 -- Cook Medical Don Wilson Award
- September 12 -- Endoscopic Research Awards
- September 12 -- Quality in Endoscopy Award
- September 12 -- NYSGE Florence Lefcourt Research Award New!
- September 12 -- Mid-Career Endoscopic Investigator Mentoring Award New!
Preferred Housing List for DDW® 2009—Deadline September 1
One of the many benefits of joining the ASGE Foundation’s Circle of Light Society is placement on the ASGE’s preferred DDW housing list at the ASGE headquarter hotel. To qualify for this benefit, you must join the Circle of Light Society by September 1. Read more about the Circle of Light Society...
Congress Overrides the President’s Veto on H.R. 6331
July 15, 2008 -- Today Congress stood by its word to avert the 10.6% cuts in physician payments and protect seniors, military families and the disabled. This afternoon, the House and Senate both overrode the President’s veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. Again, H.R. 6331 passed overwhelmingly in the House with a vote of 382-41. The Senate passed the bill with a vote of 70 to 26. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act is now law. Read more...
Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment: CMS Releases Proposed Rule for 2009
On July 3, CMS released proposed rules affecting 2009 Medicare payments for services in ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and hospital outpatient departments (HOPD). Comments will be due by September 2. The vast majority of endoscopies are provided in those two settings. HOPD rates will get a 3% inflation adjustment, while ASC rates will remain frozen for 2009. ASCs will enter the second year of transition in the new payment system, with half of the rate coming from the old ASC fee schedule and half based on 65% of the HOPD rates. CMS is proposing to add a limited number of new procedures to the ASC coverage list. New requirements for imaging payments that will apply to the HOPD will also be applied to the ASC. Because of the connection between the two payment systems, a number of proposed HOPD changes could impact ASC rates next year as well. ASGE will review and comment on the rule, providing members with more detail as the full text and payment charts become available over the next few days. View the CMS press release and summary.
SedationFacts.org -- Have you visited this new Web site?
ASGE is pleased to announce the development of a new site, SedationFacts.org, a one-stop resource for endoscopic sedation news and information. A joint initiative of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the AGA Institute and the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc., this Web site provides the information you need to sustain and improve patient safety associated with endoscopic sedation. Explore this new sedation site today at www.SedationFacts.org!
SedationFacts.org is funded by an educational grant from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
ASGE sends comments on coverage of CTC as screening method to CMS
June 18 -- ASGE submitted comments to CMS on whether a national coverage policy should be established for computed tomography colonography (CTC) as an approved colorectal cancer screening method under the Medicare colorectal cancer screening benefit. After collaborating with the leadership of ACG and AGA, ASGE President John L. Petrini, MD, sent a letter to CMS on behalf of ASGE stating that we are very supportive of efforts to expand the coverage of colorectal cancer screening, however, at this time it is premature to support a national coverage decision for CTC. Read the ASGE letter to CMS (pdf).
ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program
ASGE announces a new program dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. This new program will recognize endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines and meet other program requirements. Read more. . .
ASGE Announces Advocacy Program
The ASGE Legislation Action Network provides ASGE members the opportunity to influence policymakers on issues important to their patients and practice. Through the program, network members will receive legislative alerts and updates, tools to use during advocacy efforts, and easy to understand tips to help them become effective advocates for GI endoscopic issues. Become an ASGE Advocate today -- learn more!
ASGE Partners with The DAVE Project
ASGE announces an exciting new partnership with The DAVE Project, an extensive online resource for endoscopic videos. Through this partnership, ASGE will provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to physicians for participation in this unique, cutting-edge resource. Watch for details!
Updated Practice Guidelines
Two important guidelines, "Infection Control During Gastrointestinal Endoscopy" and "Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy" were recently updated and published in the May issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. View guidelines. . .
ASGE Launches Peter and Polly Polyp Birthday e-Card for Colon Cancer Awareness
Send an e-card today!
Colorectal Cancer:
Not Just a Man’s Disease
ASGE and other medical groups recently partnered with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to dispel the myth that colorectal cancer is a man’s disease. Screening awareness materials were mailed to nearly 50,000 ACOG physicians and the initiative was announced at ACOG’s scientific meeting in May. Read more and download materials.