Achieving the opt out for Medicare physician supervision for nurse anesthetists.

No harm found when nurse anesthetists work without supervision by physicians.

In 2001 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) allowed states to opt out of the requirement for reimbursement that a surgeon or anesthesiologist oversee the provision of anesthesia by certified registered nurse anesthetists. By 2005, fourteen states had exercised this option. An analysis of Medicare data for 1999-2005 finds no evidence that opting out of the oversight requirement ...

Physician Supervision of Nurse Anesthetists: To Opt In or To Opt Out?

In the United States, "Opt-Out" States Show No Increase in Access to Anesthesia Services for Medicare Beneficiaries Compared with Non-"Opt-Out" States.

In the United States, anesthesia care can be provided by anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists. Since 2001, 17 states have exercised their right to "opt-out" of the federal requirement that a physician supervise the administration of anesthesia by a nurse anesthetist, with the majority citing increased access to anesthesia care as the rationale for their decision. By using Medicare data, we f...

Studies support removing CRNA supervision rule to maximize anesthesia workforce and ensure patient access to care.

Recent research reaffirms that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are critical to the delivery of anesthesia in the United States and argues persuasively for the removal of barriers-including supervision requirements--that prevent CRNAs and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from practicing to the full extent of their education and training. As we as a nation strive ...

CMS proposal for interventional pain management by nurse anesthetists: evidence by proclamation with poor prognosis.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in a 2009 report, showed that unqualified nonphysicians performed 21% of the services. These nonphysicians did not possess the necessary licenses, certifications, credentials, or training to perform the services. Since the time the medical profession was founded, advances in treatments and technology, as we...