TRICARE Recognizes AAs
Chicago —
(July 6, 2010)
The Department of Defense today published its final rule authorizing anesthesiologist assistants, supervised by an anesthesiologist, to practice under the TRICARE insurance program. Terms of the DoD recognition closely parallel those which have existed under Medicare Part B for the past two decades, and extend to those AAs who are authorized to practice under state law by virtue of licensure, certification, or delegated authority. The rule also confirms TRICARE's existing policy to permit independent practice by nurse anesthetists to the extent authorized by state law -- an authorization which as a practical matter would be effective only in those states which have opted out of the Medicare Part A supervision requirement and permit independent practice under the terms of state statute or regulation. Copies of the DoD rule are available by contacting
Lisa Percy in the Washington office.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Anesthesiologists: Physicians providing the lifeline of modern medicine. Founded in 1905, the American Society of Anesthesiologists is an educational, research and scientific association with 46,000 members organized to raise and maintain the standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology and improve the care of the patient.
For more information on the field of anesthesiology, visit the American Society of Anesthesiologists Web site at www.asahq.org. For patient information, visit LifeLineToModernMedicine.com
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