General anesthesia is a medical state induced by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to make a person unconscious and unaware during surgery or medical procedures. It involves administering a combination of medications to ensure pain relief, muscle relaxation, maintenance of vital signs, and loss of consciousness.

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) is a medical approach where an CRNA administers sedation and pain management during procedures, keeping the patient comfortable and relaxed while allowing them to remain breathing on their own, yet minimally responsive to stimulation. This technique is often used for less invasive surgeries or diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopies.

Peripheral nerve blocks involve injecting local anesthetic near specific nerves to numb a specific part of the body, providing targeted pain relief during and after surgery. In some cases this technique can avoid the need for general anesthesia and help avoid use of opioid medications and manage pain following surgery more effectively.

Topical or local anesthesia involves numbing a specific area through the surface of the body using liquids, creams, gels, or injections to block pain signals during minor procedures or surgeries. This type of anesthesia allows patients to experience minimal discomfort in the targeted area.  This is the frequent method of anesthesia for cataract surgeries.  Local anesthesia is frequently used instead of peripheral nerve blocks, or in conjunction with peripheral nerve blocks to lessen the pain that might not be fully relieved with certain types peripheral nerve blocks.

During surgeries, different types of anesthesia can be combined to achieve optimal pain relief and patient comfort. This involves using a combination of general anesthesia, regional anesthesia (like epidurals or nerve blocks), and local anesthesia. This tailored combination allows for reduced doses of general anesthesia, minimizing potential side effects, while effectively targeting specific areas for pain control. The goal is to enhance the overall surgical experience and improve recovery outcomes for patients.

Anesthesia is generally considered safe, but like any medical procedure, it carries some risks. The risks associated with anesthesia can vary depending on factors such as the patient’s health, the type of anesthesia used, the complexity of the surgery, and the skill of the CRNA. Common risks include adverse reactions to medications, breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, and anesthesia-related complications.

Modern anesthesia techniques, advancements in monitoring technology, and the expertise of CRNAs have significantly improved safety.  A 1999 report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) identified anesthesia as one of the safest healthcare specialties, and that anesthesia is nearly 50 times safer than it was just 30 years ago.  Today, deaths attributed to anesthesia occur approximately once for every 250,000-300,000 anesthetics.  Comparatively, according to the National Weather Service, your risk of getting hit by lightning in your lifetime is 1/15,300.  Therefore, you are 16-20 times more likely to be hit by lightning than you are to die as a result of anesthesia.

In the surgical setting, like charges from your surgeon and the surgical facility, the CRNAs fees are not included in your bill.  We work with all of our surgeons to maintain a high level of alignment and continuity with our insurance contracts.  Many insurance plans cover anesthesia charges in full, but some do not.  All of our CRNAs participate in Medicare and Medicaid, but may not be enrolled in your specific insurance plan.  We recommend that you contact your insurer directly to determine if our CRNAs are In Network with your insurance plan.

Regardless of your insurance coverage, you will receive a bill for anesthesia services.  Our billing company will file a claim directly with your insurance carrier.  Depending on your insurance carrier’s policies, you may be required to intervene with your insurance company to ensure that they cover all the charges that they are required to.  If you have an outstanding balance after your insurance payment, you will be responsible for that amount.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses with specialized training in anesthesia who have been providing anesthesia in the US for over 150 years, and provide over 70% of the anesthetics in the US each year. They have completed a master’s or doctoral degree in anesthesia, along with clinical residency in administering anesthesia for a wide range of medical procedures. CRNAs are qualified to provide anesthesia care, including assessing patients, developing anesthesia plans, administering all types of anesthesia, and ensuring patients’ comfort and safety throughout surgeries and medical treatments. CRNAs provide an especially crucial role in the rural and medically underserved areas of the US.  CRNAs work in conjunction with your surgeon or proceduralist to tailor your anesthesia to optimize your outcomes and perioperative experience.

CRNA FACTS

The “Opt Out” provision refers to a regulation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in the United States that allows Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to work independently. In states where the Opt Out provision is in effect, CRNAs can provide anesthesia services to Medicare patients without requiring direct supervision. This provision recognizes CRNAs as qualified anesthesia providers capable of delivering safe and effective anesthesia care on their own, expanding access to anesthesia services particularly in rural and underserved areas.

WI Opt Out Letter