Here are three major headlines in the anesthesia industry since July 1, as reported by Becker’s:
1. In a July 7 article posted by The University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, researchers outlined the impact of a recent anesthesia “rollup” acquisition on healthcare prices. The study found that the rollup of anesthesia practices in Texas by U.S. Anesthesia Partners drove up local patient costs by 30%. Similar results were found in other states with similar market activity.
2. On July 1, UnitedHealthcare issued a policy update that will cut reimbursements for independently practicing certified registered nurse anesthetists by 15%, effective Oct. 1. The update has drawn criticism from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, who told Becker’s that the policy will have damaging effects to healthcare cost and access at a time when anesthesia providers are already under pressure from staffing shortages and increasing demand.
“It benefits the insurance companies and their bottom line — who it doesn’t benefit are the patients,” Janet Setnor, MSN, CRNA, president of the AANA, told Becker’s.
3. The American Society of Anesthesiologists filed a motion requesting permission to file an amicus curiae brief in an ongoing lawsuit against Change Healthcare. In a lawsuit stemming from a 2024 cyberattack, Change has argued that they have “no obligation” to safeguard data related to medical claims, patient records and other sensitive information from cyberattacks. ASA’s brief contends that Change Healthcare’s argument is inconsistent with basic tort law, claiming that if Change’s conduct created a risk to patients’ private data, then it is obligated to “exercise reasonable care” for that data.