September 1, 2006
 
With recent meetings with Medicare and third party insurers, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is pushing for accreditation with increasing determination. As a result of recent collaboration with these groups, the AASM has developed a policy on AASM accreditation and coverage determination. In order to ensure the highest standards of care, the AASM policy states, “Sleep studies must be provided by an American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM)-accredited center/laboratory.” The policy also emphasizes the importance of meeting the AASM Standards of Accreditation and outlines the following criteria for sleep studies:
 
1. Each center/laboratory must have as medical director a physician with a license valid in the state of the center.

2. Each center/laboratory must be AASM-accredited, have a physician on staff that is certified in sleep medicine by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) and/or a member of the Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) or an individual currently accepted by a member of the Board of the ABMS to sit for its certification exam in sleep medicine. This individual may fulfill all the responsibilities of the board-certified sleep specialist in an accredited sleep disorder clinic.
 
3. Technicians must work under the supervision of a licensed physician, even though sleep tests may be covered in the absence of direct supervision.