Anthem Reverses Anesthesia Coverage Limits After Backlash

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has reversed its decision to impose time limits on anesthesia coverage in Connecticut, New York, and Missouri after facing significant backlash from medical professionals and public officials. The proposed policy, which was set to take effect in 2025, would have denied claims for anesthesia services exceeding a certain duration, sparking criticism for potentially compromising patient safety. Anthem cited "significant widespread misinformation" as the reason for the reversal, emphasizing that it never intended to deny medically necessary anesthesia services.