Faculty Bibliography

This report considers the recommendations of the State Society Task Force (SSTF), which evaluated how the relationship between the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and neurologic societies of individual states can foster the care of patients with neurologic diseases. The task force also evaluated the role of state neurosociety and state medical society interactions in supporting the profession of neurology. The SSTF recommended that the AAN expand current support services to state neurosocieties and foster additional neurosociety development. Specific services to be considered by the AAN include online combined AAN/state neurosociety dues payment and enhanced Web support. The role of the AAN as a liaison between state neurosocieties and state medical societies is important to facilitate state level advocacy for neurology.

Recent health policy initiatives designed to improve care coordination have stimulated the resurgence of the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model. The details of how primary and specialty care are coordinated within the PCMH model are of interest to specialists. A good medical home "neighbor" must adhere to principles that complement the PCMH team-based approach and personal relationship to the patient. One issue for neurologists considering participation in this model is whether they will function as the principal physician for some patients, only in the role of a consultant, or take some new role. It is too early to suggest any one payment method as superior, or establish the appropriate capitation fees for practicing neurologists. Recommendations are provided for neurologists considering participation in a PCMH neighborhood.

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for electrodiagnostic procedures include codes for nerve conduction studies, nerve tests with preconfigured arrays, reflex tests, electromyography (EMG), and chemodenervation procedures. The codes are updated yearly. For 2012, there are new EMG codes to be used when the patient also receives nerve conduction studies on the same date. Coding for bilateral chemodenervation procedures has also been clarified. The CPT codes for neurologic procedures are not defined to include consultation or other evaluation and management services. When appropriate, codes for these services and skills may be submitted along with the codes for any neurologic procedures.

Smartphones make mobile computing at point of care practical. Smartphones can think, sync, and link. Built-in and user-installed applications facilitate communications between neurologists and their medical colleagues and patients and augment data acquisition and processing in the core medical information domains of patient data, clinical decision support, and practice management. Mobile telemedicine is becoming practical in certain scenarios. Smartphones can improve neurologic diagnosis and treatment, teaching, and research. Patients can benefit from smartphone technology. In addition to enhanced communication, patient education, and social networking, these devices can promote healthy lifestyles, preventive medicine, and compliance and even serve as monitoring and prosthetic devices.