AANA Condemns 15% Payment Cut for CRNA Services by UnitedHealthcare

Effective October 1, 2025, UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, enacted a policy cutting reimbursement rates for anesthesia services performed independently by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) by 15%. This change applies to claims billed under the QZ modifier, which indicates services rendered without physician supervision. Providers in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Wyoming are exempt from this reduction.​

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has strongly condemned the policy as discriminatory and unlawful. AANA President Jan Setnor stated that the policy "blatantly targets CRNAs based on their licensure alone," despite all anesthesia providers using the same techniques to administer anesthesia. The association argues the policy will harm patient access to safe, cost-effective anesthesia, especially in rural and underserved areas where CRNAs provide over 80% of anesthesia care.​

In response, the AANA and nine other provider and patient advocacy groups have called on the U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury to investigate and intervene, alleging the policy violates the provider nondiscrimination clause under the Affordable Care Act. They argue that instead of lowering reimbursement arbitrarily, insurers should recognize the critical role CRNAs play in maintaining anesthesia services across the country.​

UnitedHealthcare defends the adjustment as a move to align reimbursement with provider licensure and scope of practice, stating the policy aims to control rising healthcare costs while maintaining care quality. However, critics see it as a cost-shifting tactic that threatens healthcare delivery and patient access, pressing for prompt reevaluation or reversal.​

For many CRNAs and the nursing community, this change represents a significant challenge to their professional recognition and financial sustainability amid ongoing workforce shortages and expanding patient demand. Advocacy efforts are now ramping up to protect equitable reimbursement and highlight the essential care CRNAs provide nationwide.

Nurses and healthcare providers are encouraged to stay informed and participate in advocacy campaigns to ensure fair treatment for CRNAs and the patients they serve.

🤔 Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below.

If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today!