A troubling new legislative development in New York threatens to undermine patient safety and anesthesia care statewide. An amendment to Assembly Bill A5375-A and Senate Bill S7918-A would allow health insurers to unilaterally limit coverage for anesthesia time during surgery, regardless of clinical need. This policy bypasses clinical judgment and introduces insurer-imposed timeframes that could jeopardize outcomes during complex or emergent procedures. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) and the New York State Society of Anesthesiologists (NYSSA) strongly oppose this legislation.
Anesthesia is not standardized care—it must be tailored to each patient, the specific procedure, and any unexpected developments that may arise. Attempts to impose arbitrary time limits are not new. In late 2024, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield proposed a similar policy in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri that would have denied payment for anesthesia care exceeding a preset time cap. Thanks to swift and widespread opposition, that effort was rescinded before implementation, but now, this same policy initiative has resurfaced under the guise of state law in New York.
We need to act swiftly to stop it again. Take action today and urge your New York state lawmakers to reject New York Assembly Bill A5375-A and Senate Bill S7918-A. Patients deserve safe, individualized anesthesia care—not insurer-driven time caps that put their lives at risk.
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