Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Policy Change Draws Attention of Connecticut Patients and Legislators

Connecticut news media recently highlighted several shortcomings of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s policy proposal to cap anesthesia payments based upon arbitrary anesthesia time limits. As highlighted by Fox61 Connecticut, the Anthem policy would arbitrarily pre-determine the time allowed for anesthesia care to be paid during a surgery or procedure. If the time of care is longer than the insurance company allows, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Sheild has proposed denying payment for the anesthesiologists’ care. 

As discussed by Connecticut State Society of Anesthesiologists Director Ken Stone and ASA Committee on Economics Chair Dr. Jonathan Gal in the Fox61 news story, the policy is not only burdensome for patients, hospitals, anesthesiologists, and even Anthem but also fails to account for complications, patient conditions or other factors that may arise during surgery that require necessary and meaningful extra attention by the anesthesiologist.

Anthem’s proposed policy is inconsistent with prevailing industry standards, regulations, and billing norms.

Elected officials in Connecticut have also become involved. Connecticut State Senator Jeff Gordon has pressed the insurance company for answers about this policy change and its likely impact on patients. 

ASA will continue to aggressively oppose this policy, which Anthem proposed in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri. ASA urges those concerned by the proposal to contact their state insurance commissioner or state legislator.

Read more about ASA’s opposition to the policy, including its letter to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, here.