Proposed Bill Would Let Rural Hospitals Spend Part A Funds on Anesthesiologist Care

On March 11, Reps. Lynn Jenkins (R-Kan.), Henry Cueller (D-Texas) and Todd Akin (R-Mo.) introduced the “Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act” legislation that would increase rural patients’ access to high quality anesthesia services provided by an anesthesiologist, according to an ASA release.

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Under current Medicare policy, certain rural hospitals may utilize part A funds to pay for anesthesiologist assistant and CRNA services. Known as “pass-through” funds, the funds may not be used to pay for the services of anesthesiologists. The “Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act” would change the requirements on fund allocation and increase patient access to anesthesiology care in medically underserved areas, according to the representatives.

Read more on H.R. 1044, the “Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act.”

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