In November 2024, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield floated a policy that would have placed time limits on procedures using anesthesia in Missouri, New York and Connecticut. Following feedback from patients, physicians and industry groups, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield withdrew the proposal.
The policy sparked debates across several states regarding anesthesia time limits, with some seeking to ban them entirely.
Here’s where three state policies on anesthesia time limits stand:
1. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is reviewing legislation that would ban anesthesia time limits statewide. The bill passed unanimously through the state Senate in late May.
2. In late May, amendments were added to both a New York State Assembly bill and a Senate bill that would allow insurers to impose time limits on anesthesia care. These amendments would permit insurers in New York to predetermine allowable anesthesia durations for surgeries and procedures. In December 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul responded to the original BCBS policy on social media, stating, “Outrageous. I’m going to make sure New Yorkers are protected.”
3. Washington state legislators introduced a bipartisan bill that would immediately ban coverage denials or reimbursement caps based on anesthesia duration.
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