Lawmakers look to ban time caps on anesthesia coverage in proposed bipartisan bill
While anesthesiologists and hospitals would not stop anesthesia during a procedure, some insurance companies have tried to place caps on how much time under anesthesia they are willing to cover. A new bipartisan bill being considered in Olympia will eliminate that option for insurers, if passed in both chambers and signed into law.
COURTESY PHOTO/ANNA SHVETS/PEXELS
State Rep. Alicia Rule, D-Blaine, is the prime sponsor of a bill to prevent insurers from capping how long they will pay for patients to be under anesthesia. The measure has significant bipartisan support in Olympia so far.
OLYMPIA — Washington is taking proactive measures to preserve insurance coverage for anesthesia care. After facing harsh public criticism, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield rolled back a policy that would establish a time cap on anesthesia used in procedures. The policy was initially introduced in Connecticut, New York and Missouri before being rescinded, yet many states are taking action to prevent similar policies.
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