A top insurance company has hit back at its ‘appalling’ decision to ban life-saving anesthesia amid widespread backlash.
Health insurance giant Anthem Blue Cross quietly announced in February that it would no longer cover Blue Shield. Full size anesthesia If the operation is too long.
The announcement received attention later this week Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, fatally shot in New York City This week police believe it was a ‘targeted’ attack.
BCBS said anesthesia coverage will be “targeted to the number of minutes reported for anesthesia services,” according to a timeline determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The company stated that if the time reported for anesthesia service exceeds this number, the claim will be rejected.
Although patients can challenge a claim denial, according to BCBS, ‘documentation is required to support your claim’.
However, those below the age of 22 and receiving maternity care are not affected, the company said.
On Thursday, BCBS announced that it was rescinding the policy that was intended to be implemented in New York. MissouriAnd Connecticut. It was supposed to start in February 2025 in the affected states.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has reversed a controversial policy that denied anesthesia coverage if surgery was over a certain time limit. Pictured is the BCBS office in Michigan.
News of the policy comes just days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in what police believe was a targeted attack.
A BBS spokesperson said. NBC NewsThere is significant misinformation regarding the revision of our anesthesia policy.
As a result, we have decided not to proceed with this policy change.
To be clear, it has not been and will not be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services.
‘The proposed amendment to the guideline is intended only to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia in accordance with well-established clinical guidelines.’
The cost of anesthesia depends on the type and length of the procedure, but can range from $200 to $3,500 without insurance.
Experts estimate that about half of all surgeries in the U.S. use general anesthesia, which renders the patient completely unconscious, and about half use local anesthesia to numb a specific area.
According to research National Institutes of Health (NIH), 60,000 Americans need general anesthesia every day.
Before the policy was repealed, doctors and lawmakers called it ‘tragic’ and a ‘money grab’.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists said in a press release that the “unprecedented” move is based on an “arbitrary limit” and that anesthesia reimbursement is based on several factors, “including the exact amount of time anesthesiologists receive preoperative care. The surgery, and the patient’s return to the recovery room.” When it transpires.’
ASE President Donald E. Arnold said in a statement: “This is the latest in a series of outrageous behavior by commercial health insurers to increase their profits at the expense of patients and physicians who provide essential care.”
Anesthesiologists are dedicated to providing their patients with expert, complete, and safe anesthesia care, which they do thousands of times each day.
‘This harsh policy violates the trust between Anthem and policyholders, who expect their health insurer to pay doctors for all the care they need.’
New York Governor Kathy Hochul wrote on X: “Horrible. I’ll make sure New Yorkers are waiting.’
After the policy was pushed back, Hochul wrote on stage: ‘Don’t mess with the health and safety of New Yorkers – not on my watch.’
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy also expressed concern.
He said on X: ‘This is horrible. It surprised patients with thousands of dollars in additional medical debt. And why? Just to increase corporate profits? Revoke this decision immediately.’
Social media users also poked fun at the policy.
A user at X: ‘BYOA: bring your own anesthesia.’
Another wrote: ‘So it begins. America’s health care is about to become the Hunger Games.’
