A recent policy change by health insurer Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) has drawn sharp criticism from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), which warns that the decision could jeopardize patient safety and increase financial burdens for patients and providers.

The proposed new rule no longer provides for reimbursement of anesthesia services for the entire duration of certain surgical procedures, but instead opts for a partial coverage model. The head of the ASA described this as “appalling” and “outrageous” and creating a precarious situation for patients undergoing surgery.

Anthem BCBS said plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared they would no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure exceeds an arbitrary deadline, regardless of how long the surgical procedure lasts, reported the ASA, which did this, condemned the decision and called on Anthem to immediately reverse this proposal.

The organization, which represents more than 59,000 anesthesiologists nationwide, expressed concern that the change would impact the continuity of care provided by anesthesiologists during surgery.

“With this new policy, Anthem will arbitrarily predetermine the time allowed for anesthesia care during a surgery or procedure,” ASA said.

“If an anesthesiologist submits an invoice in which the actual treatment time is longer than the time specified by Anthem, Anthem will refuse payment for the anesthesiologist’s treatment. With this new policy, Anthem will not pay anesthesiologists to provide safe and effective anesthesia care to patients who may require special attention because their surgery is difficult or unusual, or because a complication occurs,” it continues.

In a strongly worded open letter to Elevance Health Inc., Anthem’s corporate name, Dr. Donald E. Arnold, president of the ASA, last month said the proposed policy was “inappropriate and misguided.”

Newsweek Elevance Health Inc. and ASA contacted Elevance Health Inc. and ASA via email outside of normal business hours on Thursday seeking comment.

“On behalf of the 58,000 members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), I write to express our deep concern about Anthem’s announced policies that violate established billing standards for anesthesia time in Connecticut, Missouri and New York,” said Dr. Arnold wrote.

“The Anthem policy provides no justification for paying for anesthesia services for only a portion of a patient’s surgery. We demand an immediate meeting with Anthem leaders who will be responsible for and responsible for this proposed policy change.”

Dr. Arnold concluded the letter by saying, “We wonder how Anthem could propose to pay for only a portion of the anesthesia services needed by its customers. The Directive does not provide that an anesthesia code can apply to very different surgical procedures with corresponding wide variations in surgical times.

“The policy also reveals that Anthem is less committed to patient choice and safety. If a patient has a surgery that lasts longer than Anthem’s accepted standards, Anthem has absolved itself of responsibility to pay for the anesthesia needed for the remainder of the encounter.

“Similarly, the policy does not take into account the individual patient needs associated with the anesthesia period, including the management of surgical complications during the course of the procedure. Such complications are not included in the allocated basic units but are billed and paid for as part of long-term treatment.” Payment provisions that include time.

“The proposed Anthem policy reflects a significant disconnect between Anthem, its patients and their needs,” added Dr. Arnold added.

He said the policy creates a precarious situation for patients undergoing surgery, calling the policy “appalling” and “outrageous.”

“This is just the latest in a long line of appalling behavior by commercial health insurers who want to increase their profits at the expense of patients and doctors who provide primary care,” he said, as reported by the ASA.

“It is a cynical cash grab by Anthem designed to exploit the commitment that anesthesiologists make thousands of times every day to provide expert, complete and safe anesthesia care to their patients. This egregious policy breaks the trust between Anthem and its policyholders, who expect this.” Health insurance must pay doctors for all the care they require.

ASA urges people concerned about Anthem’s proposal to contact their state insurance commissioner or state legislature.