MA H1142

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) must be reimbursed at the same rate as physicians for the same anesthesia services across all insurance types, including state employee coverage, Medicaid, private insurers, HMOs, and preferred provider organizations

Insurers cannot make distinctions between physicians and CRNAs for participation, coverage, or payment purposes when both are acting within their licensed scope of practice

Claims must identify the National Provider Identifier of the physician or CRNA who provided the service

Insurers may not reduce physician reimbursement rates to comply with the equal payment requirements

When laws or rules require physician authorization for anesthesia service reimbursement, a CRNA practicing in an advanced practice role may fulfill that requirement