As a result of a collaborative request from the American Epilepsy Society (AES), the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS), and the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) has approved a new specialty code for epileptologists. The new code will allow CMS to distinguish epileptologists from neurologists when billing for Medicare services. Once CMS takes the necessary steps to create and operationalize the new code, which may take up to one year, it will allow for the submission of claims and collection of data as to the services ..read more

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released proposed rules for 2024 on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS).  Both rules are open for comments until mid-September and the final rules are typically released in November.  Changes in policy and payment made by the rules become effective on January 1, 2024. Of note in the MPFS, CMS continues to expand evaluation and management services and is proposing a new code for a single serious of chronic condition.  The telehealth flexibilities allowed duri ..read more

NAEC’s Board and Accreditation Committee met in May to finalize the accreditation criteria for 2024. Please find a high level summary of the planned changes in this letter from NAEC President, Fred Lado, MD, PhD. NAEC will host a webinar on the 2024 Accreditation Updates on June 26th at 2pm Eastern. NAEC President, Fred Lado, MD, PhD and Vice President, Stephan Schuele, MD, MPH, will give an overview of the 2024 accreditation criteria changes and answer questions regarding the accreditation process. Click here to RSVP for the webinar. Contact NAEC staff at info@naec-epileps ..read more

NAEC’s Board and Accreditation Committee met on June 29 – 30, 2022 and agreed to accreditation criteria changes for 2023 and 2024. Please find a high level summary of the planned changes in this letter from NAEC President, Susan Herman, MD. More information on the 2023 Accreditation Process will be distributed to NAEC Members in November. Contact NAEC staff at info@naec-epilepsy.org with any questions.   The post NAEC Announces Accreditation Changes for 2023 and 2024 appeared first on National Association of Epilepsy Centers ..read more

NAEC is pleased to share more information on two programs supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epilepsy Program.  The first is a request for epilepsy center physicians and APPs to complete a survey on a Project Echo project on rare epilepsies and the second is the announcement of an information session on the PACES program. Rare Epilepsy ECHO Survey The Centers for Disease Control/Epilepsy Foundation has funded a Rare Epilepsy ECHO launching early 2023. Project ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) is a model created to d ..read more

The NAEC Board is seeking nominations for two open board member position for a two-year term (2022-2023). NAEC has a seven-member Board of Directors, which is actively engaged in all aspects of the Association’s work related to center accreditation, coding, reimbursement, insurance policies and public health activities. Our efforts over the next two years will focus on all of these areas, but particularly on revising the NAEC Guidelines and assisting centers with the continued impact of the COVID-19 public health emergency on center operations. Interested individuals should forward their C.V ..read more

On July 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed rule for the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for services  effective January 1, 2022. A summary of the major provisions of the MPFS proposed rule impacting epilepsy centers, including charts showing physician work relative value units and national average Medicare payment rates for neurology, epilepsy surgery, and evaluation and management (E/M) services.Please contact NAEC with any questions at info@naec-epilepsy.org. The post Calendar Year 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule P ..read more

NAEC Announces Development of Practice Guidelines for Epilepsy Centers and Calls for Nominations for Guideline Panel The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) is pleased to announce that it is undertaking the development of an evidence-informed practice guideline for epilepsy centers.  NAEC will follow an evidence-informed process that meets current standards for national and international guidelines using explicit and transparent methods. The guidelines will be developed by a designated panel of experts screened for conflicts of interest and representing important stakeholders ..read more

NAEC is pleased to announce the launch of an online course to train Neurodiagnostic Assistants (NDAs) (often referred to as patient observers or monitor watchers) working within the EMU. The course is a collaboration between ASET: The Neurodiagnostic Society (ASET) and NAEC.  The course is provided at no cost to NAEC member centers. NAEC was excited to work with ASET on the development of this module to provide  standardized education for those individuals serving as Neurodiagnostic Assistants in Level 3 and 4 epilepsy centers.  With this course NDAs can gain basic skills in cli ..read more

Yesterday, Congress passed a comprehensive year-end bill that funds the federal government through FY 2021 and provides a new round of COVID relief and economic stimulus funds.  The bill also included changes to the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, including two provisions which will mitigate the 10.2% reduction in Medicare’s payment rates (due to the 2021 conversion factor) included in the CMS final rule on MPFS. The bill provides: An increase of 3.75% to the MPFS conversion factor for all services in 2021 A three year delay in payments for a new add-on evaluation and management (E ..read more