Since the start of 2025, lawmakers in five states have introduced legislation addressing anesthesia reimbursement policies and certified registered nurse anesthetist practice regulations. 

Demand for anesthesiologists continues to rise. However, fellowship applications among anaesthesiology residents may be falling, according to a November study published in the January edition of Pain Practice.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Broward Health has ended its long-term relationship with contracted anesthesia group Anesco, according to a Feb. 4 report from the South Florida Sun Sentinel. 

State lawmakers in New Jersey have introduced a bill to ban payers from placing time limits on anesthesia services.

Anesthesiologists are on call an average of 58 days per year, according to a report from Physician Side Gigs, an online community of more than 195,000 physicians.

North American Partners in Anesthesia has tapped Lee Camp as vice president of business development for its western region. 

NorthStar Anesthesia made several changes to its leadership team, tapping a new president and COO, chief medical officer, chief anesthetist officer, chief quality officer, chief marketing officer and CFO. 

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the dismissal of U.S. Anesthesia Partners' (lawsuit against the Department of HHS and CMS, which contested aspects of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, according to court documents accessed by Becker's.

Starting out as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), I remember stepping into the operating room for the very first time, both prepared and curious about how my education would guide me through real-life patient care challenges.  

Watertown, N.Y.-based Samaritan Health will close its pain management center Feb. 28, according to a news release from the health system. 

Becker's has three anesthesiologists reported on in the last two weeks: 

Irving, Texas-based NorthStar Anesthesia has partnered with Pocatello, Idaho-based Skyline Surgery Center. 

Anesthesia providers are in the process of transitioning to value-based care reimbursement systems and pushing for inclusion in innovative models supported by CMS, according to a Jan. 24 report from law firm Whiteford in JDSupra.

Houston-based Northwest Anesthesiology and Pain Services agreed to pay $999,999 to settle allegations it violated the False Claims Act and Stark law. 

Private equity has had an increased presence in the anesthesia industry, as reimbursement declines and staffing shortages push more anesthesia practices toward consolidation. 

Both state and federal legislatures are tackling anesthesia-based bills in 2025. Here are four key pieces of legislation to know: 

Illinois state Rep. Bill Hauter, MD, a Republican, has sponsored a bill making it illegal for insurance companies to place a time limit on anesthesia payment coverage, according to a Jan. 21 report from NPR affiliate WGLT.

On Jan. 8, legislation was introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates that would eliminate supervision requirements for certified registered nurse anesthetists.

As anesthesia practices review the past year and plan ahead, analyzing core data and metrics retrospectively can shape future strategies and drive greater success.

With the passage of the American Relief Act, 2025, certain telehealth flexibilities initially introduced during the public health emergency (PHE) era have been extended. These provisions, however, are only authorized through March 31, 2025.