Reader Question: Supervising Anesthesia

Question: Considering recent changes in regulations, how should we code for supervision of anesthesia? Is this a packaged procedure, and what rules apply to the supervising physician?

South Carolina Subscriber

Answer: In most cases, supervision of anesthesia is packaged into the procedure code for the appropriate APC. A final rule published in the Federal Register on Jan. 18, 2001, and effective March 19, 2001, changes the physician-supervision requirement for certified registered nurse anesthetists furnishing anesthesia services in hospitals, critical access hospitals (CAHs), and Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs). Under this final rule, state laws will determine which professionals are permitted to administer anesthetics and the level of supervision required. States and hospitals also are free to establish additional standards for professional practice. The changes to the anesthesia conditions of coverage apply to all Medicare and participating hospitals, CAHs and ASCs.


- Published on 2001-03-01