Anthem's own press release:<p><a href="https://providernews.anthem.com/connecticut/articles/anesthesia-billed-time-units-commercial-22477" rel="nofollow">https://providernews.anthem.com/connecticut/articles/anesthe...</a><p>They don't say what the "established number of minutes" are. Presumably there's a table somewhere. I darkly suspect it's based on the average time -- in which case half of the procedures will go over.<p>Are the other providers also paid by the minute? I wonder if there's a surgeon going, "Well, that was easy. Let's just hang out here for a few minutes before closing up."
looks like server has been hugged.<p>archive link: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20241126202046/https://www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2024/11/anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-will-not-pay-complete-duration-of-anesthesia-for-surgical-procedures" rel="nofollow">https://web.archive.org/web/20241126202046/https://www.asahq...</a>
I would guess that doctors might find problematic for a patient to regain conciseness mid operation for a patient who can't afford full anesthesia.