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GAO report finds some private insurers' payments are higher than Medicare's

Ambulatory Surgery Reimbursement Update, September 18, 2007

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report that indicated Medicare's payment for anesthesia services in 2004 was 67% lower than private insurer's payments in 41 Medicare payment locations. The GAO found a direct link between the type of provider and the patient population. For example, locations where there were more Medicare beneficiaries had a larger amount of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and a smaller amount of anesthesiologists.

"Low anesthesia reimbursement leaves hospitals, ASCs, and other surgical locations holding the bag as anesthesia groups shift costs to the facilities they serve," says Frank J. Purcell Sr., director of federal government affairs for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. "To help address this issue, CRNAs and anesthesiologists are continuing to work with Congress and CMS to buck up Medicare anesthesia payments."

To view the GAO's report, click here.

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