Anesthesia

Anesthesia providers are facing significant reimbursement challenges in 2024, with cuts coming from both private insurers and federal policy changes. 

Connecticut state senator Jeff Gordon, MD, addressed concerns over Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's new policy on anesthesia claims in a Nov. 20 letter to the insurer, according to a news release from Dr. Gordon's office. 

From 2019 to 2023, Missouri saw the largest decline in anesthesiologist employment, seeing a 75% decrease in anesthesiology positions, according to an October study from Rivanna.

Anesthesiologist John Anderson, MD, died at age 91 on Nov. 21 in Cleveland, according to an obituary published by WMFD.com Nov. 22. 

From 2019 to 2023, Pennsylvania saw the largest boom in anesthesiologist employment, seeing a 197.56% growth in anesthesiology positions and a 202.08% growth in anesthesiologist employment, according to an October study from Rivanna.

A Dallas anesthesiologist has been sentenced to 190 years in prison for injecting a nerve-blocking agent and other drugs into bags of IV fluid at Baylor Scott & White Surgicare North Dallas.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has made two significant moves this year that anesthesia leaders say will further diminish reimbursements, compounding existing challenges.

Certified registered nurses anesthetists earn an average base salary of $211,000 in 2024, according to Medscape's 2024 "Ramping Up Take-Home Pay: Medscape APRN Compensation Report 2024," published Nov. 14. 

Here are six anesthesiologists who have made headlines in the last month:

Anesthesia providers have a significant impact on the patient experience, and their skills and business acumen must evolve to adapt to growing demand, new techniques and rising patient expectations.