
UPDATED: If your surgery runs long, Anthem will stop paying for the anesthesia
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that early next year, it will "target the number of minutes reported for anesthesia services."

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that early next year in certain states, it will "target the number of minutes reported for anesthesia services." That means they'll cut off paying for anesthesia if your surgery runs long.
"Claims submitted with reported time above the established number of minutes will only pay up to the CMS established amount," the company states outright.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Won’t Pay for the Complete Duration of Anesthesia for Patients’ Surgical Procedures
In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes...

In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes. The American Society of Anesthesiologists calls on Anthem to reverse this proposal immediately.
Provider News
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RETRACTED: Anesthesia billed time units update beginning February 2025
This article was retracted on December 5, 2024. Please access the updated communication here.
Provider News
providernews.anthem.com
Based on feedback received and misinterpretation of our policy change, it is evident that our communication regarding this policy was not clear, and as a result,
I'm going to bet a health care CEO shit his pants after this was announced and the shooting earlier this week. Now it's rolled back.