July 28, 2006

 

Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) introduce legislation extending “rural pass-through” to anesthesiologists—Urge your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 5955.

Current Medicare law permits rural hospitals to use more generous Part A “pass-through” funds to employ or contract with CRNAs or AAs only.  Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) have introduced legislation that would expand this policy and allow rural hospitals to use pass-through funds to pay for the services of anesthesiologists, as well. 

Please ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 5955 through the ASA CapWiz site.  You may also contact your Member of Congress through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121.

Medicare normally pays for the services of anesthesia providers under the Part B Physician Fee Schedule.  By allowing hospitals to use Part A pass-through payments for anesthesiologists, H.R. 5955 would expand rural patients’ access to anesthesiology medical care.

Rural pass-through one-pager

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