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. ...

From day to day, the great majority of anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologist assistants and their group practices provide excellent patient care.  Most enjoy comfortable relationships with their hospitals and surgery centers, too. The world of health care is changing all around us, though.  Every anesthesia practice needs to understand the more important changes and to adapt, or plan to adapt.  In this issue of the Communiqué, you will find a number of articles that will help you prepare for the short-term and long-term future. We start with Mark Weiss, Esq.’s Protecting Your Exclusive Contract, Your Practice and Your Profits.  Mr. Weiss aptly shows that the process of negotiating your next hospital contract starts the moment you have signed this one.  The anecdote about Walt Disney’s arrival at Universal Pictures’ headquarters in New York to renegotiate the terms of their deal, only to find that Universal, not he, held the copyright in his cartoon character and...