FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 5, 2024

“Anthem has informed the Insurance Department that while the billing change for anesthesiologists would not have applied in Connecticut due to contracts with providers already in place, the company has decided to not to proceed with the policy rollout in other states as well.”

While this is good news for Connecticut consumers, the Department is disappointed that our citizens were unnecessarily alarmed.

The Department's mission is to protect consumers and it expects carriers to communicate with clarity and accuracy with their providers and customers.

–   Andrew N. Mais, Connecticut Insurance Commissioner

Anthem has informed the Department of the following:

“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. 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.” - Anthem

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