The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) report that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) responded to ACEP’s concerns and now allows an exception for emergency departments in their interpretive guidelines on use of anesthesia services.  This is a big win for hospital based and non-hospital based emergency physicians, while not adversely affecting anesthesiologists or patients.  This may ultimately lead to more timely and efficient patient care in the emergency setting.

CMS Relaxes Anesthesia Guidelines, Allows ED Exception.