On July 17, 2009, California became the 15th state to opt out of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) federal Condition of Participation for physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). Seventeen states, or one-third of the U.S., have opted out since 2001.
This means that California hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and critical access hospitals now have increased flexibility and access to care. Healthcare facilities no longer have to require physician supervision of CRNAs in order to receive federal reimbursement dollars under the Medicare and Medi-Cal Programs.
