Study Flags Anesthesiologists’ Role in ASC Surprise Billing

April 27

An April 15 study published in Health Affairs found surprise billing occurred in 8% of procedures at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and the average balance of each bill increased by 81% between 2014 and 2017. According to the study, bills for anesthesia administered either by physicians or certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) comprised 69% of the studied surprise bills.

Experts tell AIS Health that a very small number of anesthesiology practitioners drive most of the surprise billing and price distortion in ASCs, and only legislation can solve the problem.

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Health Plan Weekly

Peter Johnson

Peter has been a reporter for nearly a decade. Before joining AIS Health, Peter covered a wide variety of topics in his hometown of Seattle, where he continues to live. Peter’s work has appeared in publications including The Atlantic and The Stranger. Peter attended Colby College.

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Study Flags Anesthesiologists’ Role in ASC Surprise Billing

Peter Johnson

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