A new payment rule prevents nurse anesthetists from getting paid in a dozen states, according to a lawsuit from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Cook CountyRecord reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. The AANA filed a complaint against Medicare Administrative Contractor Novitas Solutions. The association is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief.
2. Novitas issued the rule which stops the payer from reimbursing nurse anesthetists in 12 states if they treat Medicare beneficiaries suffering from chronic pain.
3. An attorney representing AANA said to the Cook CountyRecord that Novitas arbitrary decision is limiting patients access to pain care.
4. The AANA attorney said Novitas questioned the nurse anesthetists' qualifications in treating these patients.
5. Novitas is requiring nurse anesthetists to get training to be eligible for reimbursement for these procedures, although Novitas claims the payer in unaware of such relevant training.
6. AANA says if other Medicare Administrative Contractors create rules similar to Novitas, access to care could drop drastically.
A Novitas Solutions spokesperson said to Becker's the company does not comment on pending litigation.