CRNA reimbursement cuts could worsen rural healthcare gap
August 21, 2024
The shortage of anesthesia providers has plagued healthcare across the country, driven by ongoing issues on the supply and demand ends of the spectrum.
As a result, many healthcare facilities — particularly in rural communities — have turned to clinical staffing models that rely more heavily on certified nurse anesthetists for their anesthesia coverage.
However, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield will reduce QZ services performed by CRNAs to 85% of the physician fee schedule starting Nov. 1.
This sparked criticism from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, which specifically mentioned the effect of this new policy on rural communities.
