AANA Strongly Opposes UnitedHealthcare's Discriminatory Reimbursement Policy for Anesthetists
On July 9, 2025, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) made headlines by vocally opposing UnitedHealthcare's recent changes to anesthesia reimbursement policies, specifically criticizing a significant 15% reduction in payments for independent services provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This decision has incited concern and frustration within the nursing community and raised questions about discrimination against CRNAs who have been equally trained as other anesthesia providers.
AANA President, Jan Setnor, emphasized that these cuts not only devalue the skills and expertise that CRNAs bring to the healthcare system but also serve as a blatant act of discrimination against a group based solely on licensure. "All anesthesia providers are trained in and use the same techniques, yet UnitedHealthcare is unfairly targeting CRNAs," Setnor stated. This viewpoint underscores the fact that all qualified anesthesia providers should receive equal reimbursement for the same quality of care they provide.
The policy specifically impacts services billed with the QZ modifier, which denotes independent CRNAs working to the full extent of their competencies. AANA argues that this action is not just discriminatory but also in violation of the federal provider non-discrimination provision established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To this end, the AANA has taken legal steps by filing a petition with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. They demand the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enforce the ACA's provisions and protect CRNAs from these unjust reimbursement changes.
The proposed changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and will significantly alter the landscape of anesthesia services across the nation, except for certain states such as Arkansas, California, Colorado, and others. Setnor argues that these cuts come at a critical time when the demand for anesthesia care is high, particularly in rural and underserved areas where CRNAs play a vital role in healthcare delivery. "UnitedHealthcare is prioritizing its profits over patient care, which could drastically impede access to anesthesia services," she warned.
The provider non-discrimination provision in the ACA, which was enacted in 2010, aims to prevent health insurance companies from setting different reimbursement policies based on a provider's license. This is particularly crucial as healthcare costs and patient access continue to be pressing issues across the country. Despite legislative efforts, enforcement measures remain lacking, leaving room for insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare to impose discriminatory practices.
In light of these events, AANA is calling for immediate action from both UnitedHealthcare and HHS. They urge UnitedHealthcare to reconsider its approach and align with ethical practices that prioritize patient care over profit. Furthermore, AANA is demanding enforcement of the ACA's provisions to ensure equitable treatment for all healthcare providers, regardless of licensure. In a climate where healthcare costs and provider access are under scrutiny, the call for fairness and justice within the healthcare reimbursement landscape is more vital than ever.
The nursing community remains vigilant as this situation unfolds, seeking to advocate for policies that support, rather than undermine, the essential services that CRNAs provide nationwide. The AANA's efforts continue to spotlight the need for regulatory scrutiny in healthcare, emphasizing that patient access to qualified care should always take precedence over corporate profit margins.
AANA President, Jan Setnor, emphasized that these cuts not only devalue the skills and expertise that CRNAs bring to the healthcare system but also serve as a blatant act of discrimination against a group based solely on licensure. "All anesthesia providers are trained in and use the same techniques, yet UnitedHealthcare is unfairly targeting CRNAs," Setnor stated. This viewpoint underscores the fact that all qualified anesthesia providers should receive equal reimbursement for the same quality of care they provide.
The policy specifically impacts services billed with the QZ modifier, which denotes independent CRNAs working to the full extent of their competencies. AANA argues that this action is not just discriminatory but also in violation of the federal provider non-discrimination provision established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To this end, the AANA has taken legal steps by filing a petition with the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. They demand the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enforce the ACA's provisions and protect CRNAs from these unjust reimbursement changes.
The proposed changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, and will significantly alter the landscape of anesthesia services across the nation, except for certain states such as Arkansas, California, Colorado, and others. Setnor argues that these cuts come at a critical time when the demand for anesthesia care is high, particularly in rural and underserved areas where CRNAs play a vital role in healthcare delivery. "UnitedHealthcare is prioritizing its profits over patient care, which could drastically impede access to anesthesia services," she warned.
The provider non-discrimination provision in the ACA, which was enacted in 2010, aims to prevent health insurance companies from setting different reimbursement policies based on a provider's license. This is particularly crucial as healthcare costs and patient access continue to be pressing issues across the country. Despite legislative efforts, enforcement measures remain lacking, leaving room for insurance companies like UnitedHealthcare to impose discriminatory practices.
In light of these events, AANA is calling for immediate action from both UnitedHealthcare and HHS. They urge UnitedHealthcare to reconsider its approach and align with ethical practices that prioritize patient care over profit. Furthermore, AANA is demanding enforcement of the ACA's provisions to ensure equitable treatment for all healthcare providers, regardless of licensure. In a climate where healthcare costs and provider access are under scrutiny, the call for fairness and justice within the healthcare reimbursement landscape is more vital than ever.
The nursing community remains vigilant as this situation unfolds, seeking to advocate for policies that support, rather than undermine, the essential services that CRNAs provide nationwide. The AANA's efforts continue to spotlight the need for regulatory scrutiny in healthcare, emphasizing that patient access to qualified care should always take precedence over corporate profit margins.
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