The information and/or opinions expressed in the current news items below and AACE in the news do not necessarily represent the opinion or position of AACE
Current News
American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Approves New Diagnosis for Diabetes
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) has approved the use of A1c as an additional diagnostic criterion for type 2 diabetes. An A1c of 6.5 or greater is now considered an alternate criterion for the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Click here to read the press release and click here to download the position statement.
2010-2011 AACE Committee Appointments
As AACE continues to grow, we are actively seeking motivated volunteers who want to be a part of the Association’s ever expanding scope of programs and activities
The International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) First Body Composition Course
ISCD’s first Body Composition Course will be held on Saturday, March 13, 2010, in San Antonio, TX (immediately following Clinical Osteoporosis 2010), from 2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The ISCD course will educate healthcare professionals to successfully use DXA body composition analysis in the management of obesity, geriatric sarcopenia and other low muscle mass states, pediatric skeletal disease and general health. The course will cover the following:
- DXA Technology
- Scan Acquisition, Analysis and Interpretation
- Applications/Case Studies for Total Body Composition
- Business, Coding and Reimbursement Considerations
- Summary Panel Discussion
The target audience for this educational activity is clinicians, technologists, researchers, scientists, and healthcare providers who wish to learn the skills and techniques of quality DXA body composition analysis to implement in their practice.
ISCD designates this educational activity for a maximum of 4.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. ISCD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to offer continuing medical education for physicians. ISCD will be applying for credit through ASRT.
Register online today @: https://www.assocoffice.com/iscd/jointcertification/CombinedForm.cfm
Medical Specialists Petition Congress to Preserve Access to Care for Millions of Medicare Patients
The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) sent a petition to Congress today signed by 1,325 AACE members, non-AACE member physicians, allied health professionals and patients opposing a new Medicare policy, which would eliminate consultation codes for specialists. Overturning this policy would preserve access to care for millions of Medicare patients seen by a medical specialist. For additional information, click here
Read new editorial by Alan Garber, MD, PhD, and related commentaries on Thyrogen for injection by Genzyme, containing potential contaminates on AACE Patient Safety Exchange, click here.
AACE 2010 ELECTIONS
A preliminary slate of candidates for the election of Officer positions and to fill eight (8) open positions on the Board of Directors was sent to the membership via e-mail/fax on December 18th (see letter below). In accordance with the AACE Bylaws, seven (7) positions will be for a three-year (3) term expiring in 2013, and one (1) position will be for a two-year (2) term expiring in 2012. The Bylaws provide that, in the event more than seven (7) seats are being elected in any given year, those candidates with the seven (7) highest number of votes shall be elected to three-year (3) terms, with the other elected member(s) being elected to such shorter terms as are necessary to ensure that an equal number of Directors shall be elected in future years. This will reallocate future rotations to seven (7) members each year. (Click here for letter)
In addition, if Dr. Jeffrey Mechanick is elected as Secretary, there will be an additional Board seat open for a one-year (1) term to fill the unexpired portion of Dr. Mechanick’s three-year (3) term, expiring in 2011, bringing the total number of open seats to nine (9) for the 2010 elections.
In accordance with AACE Bylaws, nominations may also be submitted by petition from the membership, provided that the candidate otherwise qualifies under the Bylaws, and that a separate petition in support of each nominee, signed by at least 1% of the AACE members eligible to vote, has been received by the Nominating Committee no later than January 25, 2010 (90 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting). The official ballot will be sent to the membership on February 24, 2010 (60 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting). The election will close on March 26, 2010 (30 days prior to the Annual Business Meeting). Please remember to vote!!! The results of the election will be announced at the Annual Business Meeting.
New Healthcare Amendment Will Preserve Access to Care for Millions of Patients
Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA) today proposed a new amendment to the current healthcare reform bill which will preserve access to care for millions of Medicare patients seen by a medical specialist. For additional information click here.
Eliminating Consultation Codes May Force Four out of Five Specialists to Drastically Cut the Number of Medicare Patients Seen in Their Practices
A survey just conducted by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) suggests that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to eliminate consultation codes will force four out of five endocrinologists to reduce the number of Medicare patients seen in their practices. For additional information click here.
AACE Releases New Diabetes Algorithm for Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
A new, first-of-its-kind diabetes algorithm created to help achieve glycemic control in type 2 patients is now available online.
Correction: Revisions of the AACE/ACE Diabetes Algorithm and Table 1 in the AACE/ACE Glycemic Control Algorithm Consensus Panel
GLP-1 has now been approved as monotherapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and is now included in the Algorithm. Although controversial, metformin may be used with caution in patients with CHF and this point has been changed in Table 1 of the Statement by an AACE/ACE Consensus Panel on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Algorithm for Glycemic Control.
- AACE/ACE Diabetes Algorithm for Glycemic Control
- Statement by an AACE/ACE Consensus Panel on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: An Algorithm for Glycemic Control
- AACE Press Release
Permission Requests
Click here to request permission to use the algorithm or other AACE materials.
AACE is pleased to support the Amsterdam Declaration on Graves’ Orbitopathy. The purpose of the Declaration is to increase awareness of the need for improving the treatment of patients with this debilitating thyroid condition are greatly appreciated. For additional information, click here.
Announcing the Call for Nominations for the Fellows-in-Training Representative on the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists' (AACE) Board of Directors during the 2010 - 2011 Association year.
For more information, please click here.
2010 Annual Participation Enrollment Program Extension...learn more
FDA issues a warning regarding reports of foreign particles in Thyrogen
Today the FDA issued a warning regarding reports of foreign particles in Thyrogen and several other products. Many of your offices should have received a letter from Genzyme explaining the warning. If you did not, you will find a copy of the letter online at: http://www.aace.com/pdfs/GenzymeLetter.pdf
To read the FDA advisory, click here.
Letter from the Commissioner to Nation’s Healthcare Professionals on H1N1 Vaccine
Click here to view a Dear Doctor letter from Dr. Margaret Hamburg, Commissioner of Food and Drugs, thanking you for your efforts during the 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak. The letter also addresses questions of vaccine safety and availability.
CMS Issues Final Physician Fee Schedule Rule Eliminating Payments For Consultation Codes...Read more
NEW — ASAP is Now Available for ABIM MOC /Credit!!!
The American College of Endocrinology Self Assessment Program (ASAP) was recently accepted as part of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. For
more details on how to participate, please visit: http://asap.aace.com.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
The AACE Board of Directors recently approved a recommendation from the Membership Committee that all domestic members and all fellow-in-training members of AACE be given the option to receive the AACE publications, Endocrine Practice and The First Messenger, via the AACE members' only website in lieu of print subscriptions. All members currently have online access to these publications. In an effort to reduce publication costs, and to respond to members' requests, the Board agreed that this option could be advantageous for all involved. This is completely optional. Members who wish to continue to receive the print publications will be able to do so.
Please click here for a list of instructions on accessing the online publications.
Help Secure DXA Payment Relief In National Health Care Reform Legislation...more