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Committee hears support for payment parity bill to preserve anesthesia access
Summary
HB 4 35 would prohibit insurers from reimbursing CRNAs at lower rates than physicians for the same anesthesiology services. Nurse‑anesthetist groups, hospitals, and the Department of Insurance told the committee they back the bill to avoid workforce loss and protect access to surgical care.
Committee members heard a presentation on House Bill 4 35, which would require insurers to reimburse certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) at the same rate as physicians for the same services, reversing a recent reduction in reimbursement rates that stakeholders say threatens access to anesthesia care.
Chris DiPietro of the Delaware Association of Nurse Anesthetists said CRNAs constitute over half of Delaware’s anesthesia workforce and that insurers recently cut reimbursement rates, which could jeopardize staffing. “We just don't want to reduce these reimbursement and threaten the anesthesia care system in our state,” DiPietro said in testimony supporting the bill.
Representatives of hospitals and the Department of Insurance testified in support, telling the committee the department participated in drafting the bill and does not anticipate a meaningful per‑member per‑month cost impact. Simone Silver of ChristianaCare said equitable reimbursement helps hospitals maintain staffing for routine and emergency surgical care.
The committee recorded broad stakeholder support in the hearing but did not take a recorded vote during this session.
