Anesthesia

Several key issues are plaguing all of healthcare in 2025, and anesthesia is no exception. As specialist shortages persist and declining reimbursements lead to burnout, the field grows more treacherous. 

Legislators in Washington state are taking steps to ban time caps on anesthesia coverage in a bipartisan bill, the Columbia Basin Herald reported Feb. 10.

Premier Anesthesia partnered with Columbus, Ohio-based Taylor Station Surgery Center, according to a Feb. 10 news release.

Anesthesia remains a dynamic industry as leaders explore new methods of opioid-free pain management and expand into new care settings. 

A St. Louis County jury has ruled in favor of Midwest Anesthesia Providers in a medical malpractice suit alleging wrongful death, according to a Feb. 3 report from Missouri Lawyers Media.

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.