New CMS Rules Do Not Affect Anesthesia Physician Supervision Requirement

CMS released two proposed rules this week aimed at reforming existing Medicare and Medicaid regulations. At the urging of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the rules contain no change to the long-standing physician supervision patient safety standard, according to an ASA release.

The two proposed rules are the result of an Obama administration initiative to review and reform existing federal regulations. In response to a presidential executive order, CMS proposed changes to existing rules governing ambulatory surgery centers, hospital staff, critical access hospitals and other areas of patient care.

In the hospital and critical access hospital rule, CMS specifically proposed changes to the existing Conditions of Participation, a broad set of rules that includes the physician supervision standard. However, no changes are proposed to the supervision portion of the rule.

HHS reported they were asked to eliminate the supervision requirement this week as part of the process leading up to the release. ASA and a number of lawmakers urged CMS to maintain the supervision standard.

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