What's happening
This bill allows health insurers to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists for anesthesia services at the insurer's discretion.
Why it matters
Expands provider options. By permitting insurers to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) for anesthesia services, the bill could increase the range of medical professionals eligible for payment, potentially improving patient access to anesthesia care, especially in underserved or rural areas.
Clarifies professional standards. The bill sets clear educational and certification requirements for CRNAs to be eligible for reimbursement, reinforcing quality and professional standards in anesthesia care.
Maintains insurer discretion and cost controls. Insurers are not required to reimburse both a physician and a CRNA for the same service, which may help prevent double billing and control healthcare costs.
Could impact provider dynamics. Allowing CRNA reimbursement may affect relationships and negotiations between physicians, hospitals, and insurers, possibly shifting how anesthesia services are delivered and billed for in New York.
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Who cares
Certified registered nurse anesthetists
The bill would allow insurers to reimburse their anesthesia services if they meet the specified education and current certification requirements.
Health insurers
The bill would leave reimbursement for nurse anesthetists to insurers’ discretion under policies covering anesthesia services, without requiring payment to both a physician and a nurse anesthetist for the same services.
Physicians providing anesthesia services
The bill would authorize reimbursement for nurse anesthetists while specifying that insurers need not reimburse both providers for the same anesthesia services.
Headline styles
Insure Nurse Anesthetist Payments
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to insurance
- Referred to insurance
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
115
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. CAHILL, FAHY, STECK, WOERNER -- read once and referred to the Committee on Insurance
AN ACT to amend the insurance law, in relation to authorizing health insurance reimbursement for certified registered nurse anesthetists providing anesthesia services
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraphs 27 and 28 of subsection (i) of section 3216 of the insurance law, paragraph 27 as added by chapter 536 of the laws of 2010 and paragraph 28 as added by chapter 589 of the laws of 2011, are renumbered paragraphs 34 and 35 respectively and a new paragraph 36 is added to read as follows:
(36) At the discretion of the insurer, anesthesia services provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist may be eligible for reimbursement under any policy which provides for coverage for anesthesia services. Provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to require an insurer to reimburse both a physician and a certified registered nurse anesthetist for providing the same anesthesiology services. The term "certified registered nurse anesthetist" as used in this paragraph shall mean a person who has satisfactorily completed educational preparation for provision of these services in a program registered by the department of education or in a program accredited by a national body recognized by the department of education or determined by the department of education to be the equivalent; and submit evidence of current certification or recertification by a national certifying body, recognized by the department of education.
§ 2. Subsection (1) of section 3221 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new paragraph 20 to read as follows:
(20) At the discretion of the insurer, anesthesia services provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist may be eligible for reimburse-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01665-01-7
A. 115 2
ment under any policy which provides for coverage for anesthesia services. Provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to require an insurer to reimburse both a physician and a certified registered nurse anesthetist for providing the same anesthesiology services. The term "certified registered nurse anesthetist" as used in this paragraph shall mean a person who has satisfactorily completed educational preparation for provision of these services in a program registered by the department of education or in a program accredited by a national body recognized by the department of education or determined by the department of education to be the equivalent; and submit evidence of current certification or recertification by a national certifying body, recognized by the department of education.
§ 3. Section 4303 of the insurance law is amended by adding a new subsection (oo) to read as follows:
(oo) At the discretion of the insurer, anesthesia services provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist may be eligible for reimbursement under any policy which provides for coverage for anesthesia services. Provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to require an insurer to reimburse both a physician and a certified registered nurse anesthetist for providing the same anesthesiology services. The term "certified registered nurse anesthetist" as used in this subsection shall mean a person who has satisfactorily completed educational preparation for provision of these services in a program registered by the department of education or in a program accredited by a national body recognized by the department of education or determined by the department of education to be the equivalent; and submit evidence of current certification or recertification by a national certifying body, recognized by the department of education.
§ 4. This act shall take effect January 1, 2019 and shall apply to policies and contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or amended on or after such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.