CMS Feedback Period Closes on Scope of Practice; ASA Members Focus on Patient Safety

On Friday, January 17, the feedback period closed for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) request for input and recommendations regarding “specific Medicare regulations that require more stringent supervision than existing state scope of practice laws, or that limit health professionals from practicing at the top of their license.”  Within the three week period, thousands of messages were submitted, including many from American Society of Anesthesiologists members on the patient safety implications of removing physician oversight of anesthesia care.
 
While the exact number of emails submitted is unknown at this time, ASA applauds its members for sharing comments on the need to protect patient safety with physician-led, high-quality anesthesia care; the benefits of having access to a physician anesthesiologist in rural communities; and the successful model of team-based anesthesia care. 
 
Over the coming weeks and months, CMS will be reviewing the submitted messages and preparing recommendations for a proposed rule.  ASA leadership and staff will continue to share patient safety concerns with the agency, and encourages ASA members to be prepared for any future comment periods that may arise on this or other topics.