Anthem Scraps New Anesthesia Policy After Criticism, Included NY Gov.

NEW YORK — Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced on Thursday that it would scrap its plan to limit the amount of time it would cover anesthesia used in surgeries and other medical procedures after mounting criticism from anesthesiologists and elected officials.

"There has been significant widespread misinformation about an update to our anesthesia policy. As a result, we have decided to not proceed with this policy change,” the company said in a statement. “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.”

The insurance company, which represents Connecticut, New York and Missouri, had said the new policy change starting in February would deny claims that exceeded a certain time limit for surgeries and procedures.

Anthem had said the policy change would make health care more affordable by reducing overbilling for anesthesia, according to CNN.

Even Gov. Kathy Hochul weighed in and posted on X on Wednesday, calling the move "outrageous" and said she would make sure New Yorkers are protected.

Hochul on Thursday disclosed that she had pushed the insurance company to reverse course on their decision to strip anesthesia coverage away from New Yorkers

"Don't mess with the health and well-being of New Yorkers — not on my watch."