Compare Providers

They can work independently.
Educated, trained and skilled for solo work.
They can work in a anesthesia care team.
They can work without supervision.
On average, 6500 hours of training.
Long history of safety and proven track record.
Practices in all 50 states.
Most expensive option for patients.

They can work independently.
Educated, trained and skilled for solo work.
They can work in a anesthesia care team.
They can work without supervision.
On average, 4500 hours of training.
Long history of safety and proven track record.
Practices in all 50 states.
Most cost effective value for patients.

Assistants cannot work independently.
Trained only to assist anesthesiologist.
Assistants must work as part of a care team.
Assistants must have direct supervision.
On average, 500 hours of training.
Not a long enough history of safety records at this point.
Can only practice in 17 states.
Expensive since they must bill as a team.

Medicare Fraud And Anesthesia…

According to recent studies (like the Epstein Study) there is a significant risk of medicare fraud when anesthesiologist assistants (AA’s) are used.

Why? Because of a inflexible staffing structure due to the fact AA’s can not work independently, they must work as a team under direct supervision. This structure drives up cost and produces a high risk of billing fraud. Anytime there is medicare fraud, the patient ultimately suffers because of the decreased access to care.

In comparison, CRNA’s offer the best health care value since they are autonomous within the patient care team whereas AA’s are dependent and can only take orders from a physician.