The anesthesia industry faced  certain obstacles and industry-changing events in 2024, from provider shortages to reimbursement challenges and emerging technology. 

December has been a tumultuous month for anesthesia pay policy, as provider and public outrage has spurred two payers to reverse controversial reimbursement policies. 

Ohio-based health insurance provider Medical Mutual plans to reduce certified registered nurse anesthetist reimbursements to 85% beginning Jan. 24.

ASCs are likely to face continuing anesthesia problems into 2025, but there are potential models and solutions for physicians and centers.

A Louisville, Ky., anesthesiologist was sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to illegal opioid distribution, WDRB reported Dec. 18. 

As the landscape of anesthesia continues to shift with new technologies, high demand for services and provider shortages, anesthesia groups are developing new strategies to meet the industry's dynamic needs. 

In light of the recent controversy surrounding Anthem's reversal of proposed policy changes on anesthesia reimbursement, the conversation around compensation and coverage has taken on renewed urgency. 

Philadelphia-based Society Hill Anesthesia Consultants has won a malpractice case after a jury determined that a patient's anesthesia team was not liable for the plaintiffs' injuries, according to a Dec. 16 report from Law.com.

After significant pushback from providers and the general public, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has recently reversed its decision on a controversial anesthesia reimbursement policy update that would have introduced a new reimbursement structure based on CMS physician work time values.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan has walked back on an anesthesia pay change that was implemented in Washington state in November. 

Anesthesia practices face complex challenges in revenue growth that stem from Medicaid billing, including changing eligibility rules, inconsistent payment rates and state-specific Medicaid plans that do not provide a standardized approach to billing.

Policy and payment changes in CMS' Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) final rule have wide-reaching implications for healthcare providers, including quality reporting requirements for 2025.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Options announced two changes to its anesthesia reimbursements that went into effect Nov. 1. 

Here are five major moves in the anesthesia industry that have recently gained traction: 

There are 10.76 anesthesiologists for every 100,000 residents in West Virginia, the worst-ranked state for healthcare.

The California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology elected a new board of directors during its annual fall meeting held Oct. 26-27 in Newport Beach, Calif. 

Here are 19 anesthesiologists who have made Becker's headlines in the last month:

The American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology have both issued responses to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's recent reversal of a controversial anesthesia policy. 

US Anesthesia Partners subsidiary Elevated Practice Solutions has debuted a new resource for anesthesia practices and health systems that aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of anesthesia operations. 

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has reversed its decision on a controversial anesthesia reimbursement policy update — leaving many leaders wondering if this could signal a broader shift.