Rosemont, Ill. (AANA)—The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) issued the following statement in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for the 2025 Fiscal Year (FY25):
AANA is deeply concerned by the proposed cuts by CMS to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2025, particularly the 2.1% reduction to the anesthesia conversion factor (CF).
These proposed reductions in reimbursement threaten patient access to critical anesthesia services, particularly in rural and underserved areas where Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, play a vital role and where more Medicare and Medicaid patients reside. In these facilities, anesthesia care is already underfunded, and further cuts will exacerbate existing challenges.
Although CMS proposed payment rates are bound by budget neutrality requirements, AANA believes these reductions disproportionately impact anesthesia providers and could lead to workforce shortages and decreased access to care.
AANA remains committed to advocating for fair reimbursement rates that reflect the true value of CRNA services. In addition to submitting formal comments on the proposed rule, the association and its leadership are engaging in the American Medical Association/Specialty Society RVS Update Committee (RUC) process to improve Medicare fee schedules. The association is actively engaging with Congress and the administration to address these cuts and other regulatory barriers that hinder patient access to anesthesia care.