Bill > HR4781

This bill, the Medicare Access to Rural Anesthesiology Act of 2014, aims to ensure that Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services, pays anesthesiologists in certain rural hospitals on the same basis as other anesthesia providers like Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and anesthesiologist assistants. Specifically, it proposes to amend the Social Security Act to allow for payment on a "reasonable cost, pass-through basis" for anesthesia services provided by physicians who are anesthesiologists in these designated rural hospitals. This means that the actual costs incurred by the hospital for these services would be reimbursed, similar to how CRNAs' services are currently reimbursed under specific provisions from past budget acts. The bill defines these eligible rural hospitals by referencing existing legislation, with a provision to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to specify relevant dates for their designation. The changes would take effect for services provided during cost reporting periods beginning on or after the bill's enactment.