CMS has proposed to begin paying certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) for providing certain pain management procedures on a nationwide basis.  The discussion in the proposed rule on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for calendar year 2013, issued on July 6, 2012, sets forth the history and the considerations in expanding the types of services for which CRNAs may bill Medicare.Currently, whether pain services may be reported by CRNAs varies from state to state.  There are two circumstances that must be present for Medicare to pay for CRNA pain services:CRNAs must be permitted to perform pain medicine procedures under state scope of practice laws, andThe Medicare contractor for the state must have determined that chronic pain management is closely related to anesthesia and that CRNA-performed pain procedures are therefore covered by the Medicare program.It is important to understand that Medicare pays for specific benefits, not for all medical, nursing and other health services. ...