Anesthesia

CMS is making key changes to the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) that will affect everything from devices to diagnostic radiopharmaceutical cost and application.

CMS recently finalized a 2.83% physician pay cut in its 2025 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System. 

ASCs have been under pressure as the anesthesia shortage persists and anesthesia providers become spread increasingly thin, sometimes resulting in tensions between providers and ASC leaders.

On Nov. 1, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri announced changes to their evaluation process for claims for anesthesia services. 

The American Society of Anesthesiologists has provided new recommendations to eradicate harassment, incivility and disrespect toward healthcare professionals in the workplace. 

ASC and anesthesia leaders are turning to creative solutions amid the growing anesthesia provider shortage. 

Here are 9 updates and moves on anesthesia groups, policies and providers since Oct. 10, as reported by Becker's: 

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is calling on the Department of Veterans Affairs to allow CRNAs to practice autonomously.

Brent Dunworth, DNP, CRNA, has been named the director of the new nurse anesthesia program at Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University School of Nursing. 

Here are five recent controversies involving anesthesia providers: