REMINDER: Hospitals & Hospital Health Care Complexes

File Your CRNA Exemption for Cost-Based Reimbursement by December

By: Steve Rader 

What is the CRNA Exemption?

The CRNA Exemption is an election which must be renewed through a Medicare Administrative Contractor every year. The exemption is renewed on a calendar-year basis and requests should be submitted to Contractors by early December of each year. Please refer to your Contractor for their specific deadline requirements.

Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals can elect an exemption from the Medicare Part B CRNA billing requirements to receive cost reimbursement for anesthesiology services. Cost Reimbursement typically results in significantly improved reimbursement as compared to Method I or Method II billing.

Does your facility qualify for the CRNA exemption?

You may, if you are:

• Geographically located in a rural area or have been reclassified to a rural area
• Employ a qualified non-physician anesthetist to perform services
• Total hours of anesthetists do not exceed 2,080 hours
• Do not exceed more than 800 procedures
• Each CRNA under contract or employed has agreed in writing not to bill

Questions?

Refer to your contractor's website for their specific requirements regarding an exemption or contact an Eide Bailly representative for assistance in determining your eligibility.