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HCFA proposal would allow CRNA
reimbursement without MD supervision Posted on 1-26-98 Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers may not require physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists in order to receive Medicare reimbursement if a Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) proposal is enacted. Nurse anesthetists are happy with the proposal, which they say was a long time in coming. "The decision supports what many CRNAs have advocated for years, that CRNAs provide the same superior care to patients with or without physician supervision," said Scot Foster, PhD, CRNA, president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Anesthesiologists oppose the proposal. Anesthesiologists are better equipped to deal with emergencies that arise during anesthesia care, like cardiac arrest or dislodged breathing tubes, said Michael Scott, director of government and legal affairs for the American Society of Anesthesiologists. An MD receives significantly more training and has a much greater understanding of anesthesia care, he said. But several studies clearly demonstrate that patient outcomes are not improved when care is supervised by a physician, according to Foster. If the HCFA proposal goes into effect, the federal government would drop its requirement for physician supervision, but states may still require it. And hospitals will continue to uphold their own institutional regulations. "This change does not limit a hospital’s ability to use any type of provider they want. It just increases flexibility," Foster said. HCFA’s proposed rule change is open for comments until Feb. 17. You can send your comment to HCFA-3745-P, Department of Health and Human Services, P.O. Box 7517, Baltimore, MD 21207. Related Sites |
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