Authorizes health insurance reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists providing anesthesia services

1 Co-sponsor

• George Latimer

Title of bill

An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to authorizing health insurance reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists providing anesthesia services

Purpose

Allows for certified registered nurse anesthetists to be eligible for reimbursement under any policy which provides coverage for anesthesia services at the discretion of the insurer.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 defines the term certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and amends section 3216 of the insurance law to permit CRNA reimbursement eligibility under any policy which provides for coverage for anesthesia services, pursuant to the discretion of the insurer. Section 2 defines the term CRNA and amends section 3221 of the insurance law by adding a new paragraph to permit CRNA reimbursement eligibility under any policy which provides for coverage for anesthesia services, pursuant to the discretion of the insurer. Section 3 defines the term CRNA and amends section 4303 of the insurance law by adding a new subsection to permit CRNA reimbursement eligibility under any policy which provides for coverage for anesthesia services, pursuant to the discretion of the insurer. Section 4 is the effective date.

Justification

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are masters prepared nurses who undergo rigorous educational programming in order to obtain certification. Eligibility for certification includes clinical experience and training, as well as a passing grade on the national certified registered nurse anesthetists' exam. CRNAs provide safe and cost effective anesthesia services to patients. In rural and underserved healthcare areas, CRNAs are often the primary providers of anesthesia services, rendering this nursing specialty absolutely critical by ensuring patient access to affordable, quality care. However, without the ability to apply for health insurance coverage, CRNAs are not assured reimbursement for their service. Under the current law, a patient's health insurance is not required to cover anesthesia services provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist, even if those services are otherwise covered if performed by another healthcare professional. This imposes extreme financial inequities to CRNAs and significant disincentives on the profession. The disparity is further exacerbated in rural and poor economic areas that most benefit from CRNA services.

CRNAs provide the safest level of patient care at the lowest patient and the health care system costs, yet reimbursement for their services is often proscribed. This bill seeks to remedy this inequality by providing insurance companies the opportunity to include coverage for anesthesia services performed by CRNAs. In 2010, Nursing Economics reported that patient outcome is the same when care is administered by CRNAs as compared to anesthesiologists. Furthermore, the publication's study revealed that CRNA independent delivery of anesthesia services is the least costly method of providing anesthesia and also generates the greatest net revenue. The enactment of bill will ensure that these extremely qualified nurses are able provide the necessary services to the populations that need them most. In order to ensure these services continue it is imperative that CRNAs have the ability to be reimbursed, thus is it imperative that this bill pass.

Legislative history

S.6168A of 2011-2012; S.903A of 2013-2014

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect January 1, 2018 and shall apply to policies and contracts issues, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such effective date.