Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield's Time Limits on Anesthesia Coverage
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to impose time limits on anesthesia coverage, which has sparked backlash from doctors and policymakers. The company will use metrics to determine payment for anesthesia services and will not pay for care beyond a particular time limit in certain states. Critics say the policy could leave patients with high out-of-pocket costs and jeopardize quality of care.
Key Points
- Anthem will use CMS metrics to limit anesthesia coverage
- Backlash from doctors and policymakers due to potential impact on patient care
- Critics view the policy as a profit-driven decision that could harm patients
Cons
- Policy could lead to high out-of-pocket costs for patients
- May jeopardize quality of care for patients needing extra attention or facing complications