The American Academy of Ophthalmologists opposes Anthem's new policy directing ophthalmologists to assume responsibility for anesthesia administration and patient monitoring during routine cataract surgeries, Newsday reports.
Here are five things to know.
1. Patients being prepped for cataract surgery are sedated but conscious. The new Anthem guideline directs ophthalmologists to administer the sedating agent as opposed to an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist.
2. Current standard practice during cataract surgery is to have an anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist administer the sedating agent and then re-administer anesthesia as necessary.
"Ophthalmologists are not trained in anesthesiology and when we are doing surgery we are entirely focused on the eye," Richard Braunstein, MD, interim chairman of ophthalmology for the Northwell Health network on Long Island, New York, told Newsday."There is a unanimous voice in ophthalmology that this is not the right thing to do for the patient."
3. The American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the New York State Ophthalmological Society and the Medical Society of New York have spoken against Anthem's rule.
4. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 2 million cataract surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year, mostly on patients aged 65 and older; cataracts are the leading cause of blindness. Medicare covers full anesthesia care.
5. Anthem will cover full anesthesia care for patients under 18 years old, patients unable to lay flat and individuals who cannot cooperate or communicate, particularly those with dementia or movement disorders.
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