AANA Condemns UnitedHealthcare's Implementation of Discriminatory Anesthesia Reimbursement Policy

ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) strongly condemns UnitedHealthcare's decision to move forward with its discriminatory anesthesia reimbursement policy, which reduces payments by 15% for services rendered independently by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

"This policy is not only unlawful but is a pure money grab for UnitedHealthcare," said AANA President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA. "UHC has not provided research nor data that cuts to anesthesia reimbursement will have a positive impact on patient care nor premiums. Rather, we have heard directly from physicians and facilities on the detrimental effect of this pay cut on patient access to care." 

"UnitedHealthcare is choosing profits over patients by targeting CRNAs who are trained, educated and board certified to practice independently in providing anesthesia care. This action will have devastating consequences for patient access to care, especially in rural and underserved communities."

"At a time when hospitals are already facing financial instability, staffing shortages, and rising costs, this policy adds insult to injury," Molter continued.

AANA calls on UnitedHealthcare to immediately reverse this harmful policy and follow the lead of other insurers who have abandoned similar discriminatory practices. AANA also calls on the Administration to enforce federal provider nondiscrimination laws, and specifically the Secretaries at Department of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Department of Treasury to investigate and intervene with commercial payers who are in violation of provider nondiscrimination, which nine other healthcare organizations and patient advocacy groups signed.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology