Anthem drops controversial new plan to cap anesthesia coverage after backlash

&gt; &quot;To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services. The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.&quot;<p>Additionally, according to Vox,<p>&gt; Critically, contrary to Sen. Murphy’s claims, this policy would not have saddled patients with surprise bills, if their operations went over time. The burden of this cost control would have fallen on participating anesthesiologists<p><a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.vox.com&#x2F;policy&#x2F;390031&#x2F;anthem-blue-cross-blue-shield-anesthesia-limits-insurance" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.vox.com&#x2F;policy&#x2F;390031&#x2F;anthem-blue-cross-blue-shi...</a>

Something to keep in mind is healthcare providers are the main drivers of healthcare costs. The insurance company was not going to tell the doctor how long to put you under only how much time they would pay for.<p>I don&#x27;t think it&#x27;s unreasonable to put a cap on the cost of one of highest paid healthcare specialties.<p>Of the surgeries I&#x27;ve been involved in as a patient or family member, the anesthesiology bill does not seem proportional to the work they do. I mean they do some calculations for the amount of drugs to put you to sleep and then monitor your vitals. Seems like something a responsible and well-trained nurse could do.

I&#x27;m guessing they were worried someone might die

Just how is the U.S. healthcare system so broken that this can even be considered? It sounds like some dystopian fiction.