February 2022 Edition
1. Presidential Messages
Shanu Kothari, MD FASMBS and Nate Sann, MSN FNP-BC deliver their monthly Presidential Video Message. Hear about the current state of the Society and upcoming events.
ASMBS Presidential Message
This video has been archived.
ASMBS Integrated Health Presidential Message
This video has been archived.
2. Education & Events
Focus Practice Designation Review Course
Held at ASMBS re-UNITED, the Focus Practice Designation Review Course aims to enhance the understanding of high-yield topics in metabolic and bariatric surgery. In addition to expanding the existing knowledge of obesity and its treatments, this course prepares attendees to succeed on the American Board of Surgery Bariatric Surgery FPD examination. More information about additional opportunities to participate in the Focus Practice Designation Review Course will be coming soon.
Are you considering the April 1st Exam for Focus Practice Designation? Click here to view the exam content outline provided by the American Board of Surgery.
IH Multidisciplinary Care Committee
On January 27th, the IH Multidisciplinary Care Committee , Colleen Schreyer, Ph.D., Chair, hosted a webinar highlighting multidisciplinary approaches to non-pharmacological pain management strategies from disciplines including surgery, nutrition, psychology/behavioral health, and physical activity for patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery. Click Here to view
ASMBS’s Got Talent
This video has been archived.
Now accepting auditions for ASMBS’s Got Talent! This initiative from the Program Committee is a great way to get more involved with the Society and have a chance to speak during an educational session at The ASMBS 2022 Annual Meeting. All members who have not presented at an ASMBS meeting in the last two years can participate. Submit your CV and a 2-3 minute video specifying at least three areas of interest for your potential presentation to education@asmbs.org by February 28th.
3. Committee News
New Video: Running a Lean Practice Part 2
The Community/Independent Practice Committee presents a new video in their Private Practice Solutions Video Series. Dr. Benjamin Clapp discusses the importance of leanness in a private practice. He explains the value in in diversifying your skillset and considering nothing to be off the table when it comes to your overhead costs.
Clinical Issues Committee
Papers recently published in SOARD and ASMBS website:
- ASMBS Position Statement on the Impact of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- ASMBS Updated Position Statement on Perioperative Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Bariatric Surgery
Research Committee
The Research Committee aims to study essential and controversial clinical issues bariatric surgeons face today with limited guidance based on existing evidence. There is currently no consensus regarding prolonged postoperative PPI prophylaxis after bariatric surgery. Therefore, we would appreciate it if you could complete this survey that explores bariatric surgeon practices on prolonged PPI prophylaxis. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and this survey will take you 5-10 minutes to complete. Please complete by Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
If you have already completed the PPI survey, please disregard this message. Note: This is a different survey from the previous VTE survey.
If you have any questions, please contact research@asmbs.org .
CBN is looking to add members to the CBN Committee!
We are especially looking for nurses who are would be interested in one of the following subcommittees:
- Accreditation (guiding our efforts toward ABNS Accreditation)
- Recertification (reviewing applications and developing recertification policy)
- Marketing (organizing efforts to get the word out regarding the CBN activities)
Committee membership can be used to help with meeting the CBN recertification requirement and is a great way to network with bariatric nurses all over the country.
If you are interested, please contact Nikki, the CBN Manager, at CBN@asmbs.org .
Surgical Mentorship Program – Apply Now!
Trouble navigating a balance between work and home? Feeling burned out in your career? Want advice on how to improve in the OR or evolve your practice? Want to help contribute to the growth of a less experienced surgeon?
On behalf of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, we present the inaugural ASMBS Surgical Mentorship Program to help promote professional success, reduce burnout, and encourage the well-being of our surgeons. Pairing an early career with mid-career surgeons (5-15 years of practice) and mid-career with senior surgeons (>15 years of experience/retired) will target the needs of the mentee over a 1-year period. Apply today to become a mentee or a mentor as pairings are limited.
Click here for more information about this program .
4. Membership News
2022 Renewal Cycle Now Open
It’s time to renew! ASMBS membership is on a calendar-year basis. As of November 1st, members can pay now their 2022 dues online by logging in at ASMBS.org/Dashboard . We encourage you to renew early to take advantage of reduced member registration rates for our upcoming 2022 conferences. Please contact us at membership@asmbs.org for questions or assistance. Thank you for your continued support of ASMBS!
Join the ASMBS DocMatter Community!
ASMBS has partnered with DocMatter to create an online community for high-quality clinical discussion and collaboration as an added benefit of ASMBS membership. The community is launching in waves, and all active ASMBS members should have recently received an email with a link to activate their accounts.
Please check your inbox for this unique-to-you activation link! If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact us at info@asmbs.org .
5. Advocacy & Access to Care
OCC February 2022 Advocacy Report
In this report, prepared by Chris Gallagher, OCC Washington Representative: Congressional TROA Supporters Surpass 115, Obesity Care Now Campaign Endorsed by NAACP and NAN, and more.
See the latest Obesity Care Continuum Advocacy Report for more information regarding other national advocacy efforts that ASMBS is pursuing.
Policy Updates from the Access to Care Committee
- Asian Heritage Insurance Letter sent to Medical Directors January 11, 2022
- Medica (1.3 million covered lives) in states like MN, NE, ND, SD, OK, AZ, IA, KS, MO, WI, WY now includes SADI-S as one of the medically necessary procedures. Note that SADI-S is also listed in the Investigational section and Revisions list, which our industry partners are reviewing.
- BCBS North Carolina (1.97 million covered lives) added NASH as eligible comorbidity.
- ConnectiCare (195,000 covered lives) added that they will consider pre-op EGD on a case-by-case basis for those with symptomatic GERD.
- BCBS LA published their prior authorization form for state government employees insured through the Office of Group Benefits.
- Asuris Northwest Health (31k covered lives) will start covering BPD-DS from 4/1/22.
- Emblem Health (~400k covered lives) will consider pre-op EGD on a case-by-case basis for those with symptomatic GERD.
- Kaiser Permanente WA Commercial (710k covered lives) – will remove Vertical Banded Gastroplasty as a covered procedure effective 3/1/22.
- Regence BCBS – Vertical Banded Gastroplasty eliminated.
- UHC Commercial – has a new medical policy that goes into effect on 3/1/22; a summary of the changes is on pages 63-64.
- Ethicon/JNJ Bariatric Coverage Grid Updated 1/5/22.
- Congratulations to the ASMBS Florida, Puerto Rico & Caribbean Chapter who applied for and was awarded the ASMBS ObesityPAC State Chapter Lobby Grant award!