Anthem BCBS says it will no longer pay for the "complete duration of

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Excuse me while I go double-check and see what my own insurance covers:

In an unprecedented move, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield plans representing Connecticut, New York and Missouri have unilaterally declared it will no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure takes.

Everyone to Anthem right now:

All of us with Anthem plans waking up halfway through surgery like:

So why is the company doing it? They claim they’re addressing “concerns about overbilling” and that the move “aligns with federal guidelines.”

Not sure I buy that, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists doesn’t buy it either:

Payment for anesthesia services is based on several factors, including the exact amount of time for anesthesiologists to deliver care preoperatively, during the operation, and when transitioning the patient to the recovery unit afterwards. With this new policy, Anthem will arbitrarily pre-determine the time allowed for anesthesia care during a surgery or procedure. If an anesthesiologist submits a bill where the actual time of care is longer than Anthem’s limit, Anthem will deny payment for the anesthesiologist’s care. With this new policy, Anthem will not pay anesthesiologists for delivering safe and effective anesthesia care to patients who may need extra attention because their surgery is difficult, unusual or because a complication arises.

Seems like a not great policy, Anthem! Not sure I want to go back to the days of chloroform-soaked rags in the operating room.