Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is changing the way it bills for anesthesia services for certain surgeries, sparking outrage among many.

The changes will go into effect on February 1, 2025 and will impact customers in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. If an operation lasts longer than a certain time, the anesthesia costs for the longer period will not be covered. Patients under the age of 22 and those who require care during pregnancy are exempt from the new regulation.

Excellus enters into agreement with FamilyCare Medical Group, CNY’s largest primary care provider

According to their website, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield covers several counties in New York, including Delaware, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester County. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent affiliate of Excellus that covers much of Upstate New York and operates under the Blue Cross Blue Shield umbrella.

On Wednesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul responded to the BCBS announcement on X (formerly Twitter), calling the move “outrageous.”

The American Society of Anesthesiologists is calling on Anthem to reverse this decision because it puts patients at risk if difficulties arise during surgery.

“It’s a cynical money grab by Anthem,” said Donald E. Arnold, MD, FACHE, FASA. “This is just the latest in a long line of appalling behavior by commercial health insurers seeking to increase their profits at the expense of patients and physicians who provide primary care.”

Anthem BCBS encourages anyone with questions about changing billed time to contact their provider relationship management representative.