Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed a bill into law that requires insurance companies to cover the cost of anesthesia for the entirety of a procedure, effectively banning time limits for anesthesia reimbursements.
According to an Aug. 5 news release by the Illinois Senate Democrats, the law — sponsored by state Sen. Doris Turner — was introduced in response to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s proposed policy that would have placed time limits on anesthesia coverage in New York, Missouri and Connecticut. Although the policy was later rescinded, it spurred legal responses in multiple states.
The Illinois law takes effect immediately. “Illinois residents can rest assured that if a proposal like Blue Cross Blue Shield’s comes back, anesthesia will be covered for the entire duration of surgery,” Ms. Turner said. “We put patients first here in Illinois.”
