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Doctors, patients and even politicians reacted to the news that major health insurance provider Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield was changing their policy. Apparently, the company switched its coverage to no longer pay for anesthesia care if an operation goes beyond a specific time limit, according to multiple outlets. The policy change would affect patients in Connecticut, New York and Missouri. So, what does this mean for Blue Cross customers?<\/p>\n
Find out more below.<\/p>\n
What Is Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield\u2019s New Policy?<\/h2>\n\nBlue Cross Blue Shield will no longer cover anesthesia for the full length of certain surgeries in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri. <\/p>\n
If a surgery exceeds a specific duration, anesthesia costs for the additional time will not be covered. pic.twitter.com\/Sniwxze8XV<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 4, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nThe policy would no longer reimburse anesthesia services for the complete duration of certain surgical procedures, opting instead for a partial coverage model.<\/p>\n
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced<\/a> the policy change on November 1, 2024. At the time, the company indicated that this insurance update would begin in 2025.<\/p>\n\u201cBeginning with claims processed on or after February 1, 2025, Anthem will change how it evaluates billed time on professional claims for anesthesia services,\u201d Anthem announced in a statement. \u201cWe will utilize the CMS Physician Work Time values to target the number of minutes reported for anesthesia services. Claims submitted with reported time above the established number of minutes will be denied.\u201d<\/p>\n
The company also noted that its policy update \u201cwill account for anesthesia work time included in the pre-service evaluations, intra-service period, and post-service period.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe appropriateness of billing for pre- and post-operation time must be documented and follow the guidelines established by the ASA as to the appropriate time that should be counted and documented,\u201d Anthem announced.<\/p>\n
The policy would not affect patients under the age of 22 or those in maternity care.<\/p>\n
Will Blue Cross Patients Pay Out of Pocket?<\/h2>\n
The American Society of Anesthesiologists indicated that, under this new policy, patients would have to pay out of pocket for anesthesia-related care if a procedure exceeds a time limit.<\/p>\n
However, the policy may not affect Connecticut residents. State Comptroller Sean Scanlon<\/strong> acted promptly and reached out to Anthem.<\/p>\n\u201cAfter hearing from people across the state about this concerning policy, my office reached out to Anthem, and I\u2019m pleased to share this policy will no longer be going into effect here in Connecticut,\u201d \u00a0Scanlon said, according to NBC Connecticut<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat Has Been the Reaction to the New Policy?<\/h2>\n\nThis is appalling. Saddling patients with thousands of dollars in surprise additional medical debt. <\/p>\n
And for what? Just to boost corporate profits?<\/p>\n
Reverse this decision immediately. https:\/\/t.co\/0x4jBVqyKi<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Chris Murphy \ud83d\udfe7 (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 4, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nSenator Chris Murphy<\/strong> was one of the many who voiced his opposition to the proposal, calling it \u201cappalling\u201d on X (formerly known as Twitter).<\/p>\n\u201cThis is appalling. Saddling patients with thousands of dollars in surprise additional medical debt,\u201d Murphy tweeted, adding, \u201cAnd for what? Just to boost corporate profits? Reverse this decision immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
The American Society of Anesthesiologists also reacted to Anthem\u2019s policy change. In a statement, the ASA noted, \u201cWith this new policy, Anthem will not pay anesthesiologists for delivering safe and effective anesthesia care to patients who may need extra attention because their surgery is difficult, unusual or because a complication arises.\u201d<\/p>\n
How Much Does Anesthesia Care Cost in America?<\/h2>\n
It depends where a patient undergoes an operation, but anesthesia care can cost anywhere between $200 to more than $1,000, according to multiple outlets. My Sleep Guardian<\/a> reports that the cost of anesthesia is typically $400 for the first 30 minutes of care and $150 every additional 15 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n
Blue Cross Blue Shield will no longer cover anesthesia for the full length of certain surgeries in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri. <\/p>\n
If a surgery exceeds a specific duration, anesthesia costs for the additional time will not be covered. pic.twitter.com\/Sniwxze8XV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Pop Crave (@PopCrave) December 4, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The policy would no longer reimburse anesthesia services for the complete duration of certain surgical procedures, opting instead for a partial coverage model.<\/p>\n Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced<\/a> the policy change on November 1, 2024. At the time, the company indicated that this insurance update would begin in 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cBeginning with claims processed on or after February 1, 2025, Anthem will change how it evaluates billed time on professional claims for anesthesia services,\u201d Anthem announced in a statement. \u201cWe will utilize the CMS Physician Work Time values to target the number of minutes reported for anesthesia services. Claims submitted with reported time above the established number of minutes will be denied.\u201d<\/p>\n The company also noted that its policy update \u201cwill account for anesthesia work time included in the pre-service evaluations, intra-service period, and post-service period.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe appropriateness of billing for pre- and post-operation time must be documented and follow the guidelines established by the ASA as to the appropriate time that should be counted and documented,\u201d Anthem announced.<\/p>\n The policy would not affect patients under the age of 22 or those in maternity care.<\/p>\n The American Society of Anesthesiologists indicated that, under this new policy, patients would have to pay out of pocket for anesthesia-related care if a procedure exceeds a time limit.<\/p>\n However, the policy may not affect Connecticut residents. State Comptroller Sean Scanlon<\/strong> acted promptly and reached out to Anthem.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter hearing from people across the state about this concerning policy, my office reached out to Anthem, and I\u2019m pleased to share this policy will no longer be going into effect here in Connecticut,\u201d \u00a0Scanlon said, according to NBC Connecticut<\/a>.<\/p>\n This is appalling. Saddling patients with thousands of dollars in surprise additional medical debt. <\/p>\n And for what? Just to boost corporate profits?<\/p>\n Reverse this decision immediately. https:\/\/t.co\/0x4jBVqyKi<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Murphy \ud83d\udfe7 (@ChrisMurphyCT) December 4, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Senator Chris Murphy<\/strong> was one of the many who voiced his opposition to the proposal, calling it \u201cappalling\u201d on X (formerly known as Twitter).<\/p>\n \u201cThis is appalling. Saddling patients with thousands of dollars in surprise additional medical debt,\u201d Murphy tweeted, adding, \u201cAnd for what? Just to boost corporate profits? Reverse this decision immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n The American Society of Anesthesiologists also reacted to Anthem\u2019s policy change. In a statement, the ASA noted, \u201cWith this new policy, Anthem will not pay anesthesiologists for delivering safe and effective anesthesia care to patients who may need extra attention because their surgery is difficult, unusual or because a complication arises.\u201d<\/p>\n It depends where a patient undergoes an operation, but anesthesia care can cost anywhere between $200 to more than $1,000, according to multiple outlets. My Sleep Guardian<\/a> reports that the cost of anesthesia is typically $400 for the first 30 minutes of care and $150 every additional 15 minutes.<\/p>\n \n\t\t<\/div>\nWill Blue Cross Patients Pay Out of Pocket?<\/h2>\n
What Has Been the Reaction to the New Policy?<\/h2>\n
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How Much Does Anesthesia Care Cost in America?<\/h2>\n