Anthem recently made a policy change that claimed monitored anesthesia care during routine cataract surgery was not medically necessary, YubaNet.com reports.
Here's what you should know:
1. The change is being met with resistance from several professional societies including the California Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the California Society of Anesthesiologists.
2. Both societies are requesting that Anthem review the policy before a disastrous error takes place.
3. The societies also issued complaints to the California Department of Managed Health Care and the California Department of Insurance.
4. The groups argue a lack of monitored anesthesia care would put patients' sight at risk. If patients were to move at all during the procedure, the consequences could be sight altering.
5. If the policy remains in place, patients will either have to pay for monitored anesthesia care themselves or undergo a procedure in suboptimal conditions.