Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Reverses Policy to Stop Paying for Some Patients’ Anesthesia

The health insurance company Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield has reversed a new policy that would stop paying for patients’ anesthesia for the full length of surgeries if the procedure goes over an allotted time limit. The policy, which was set to go into effect in Connecticut, New York and Missouri in February, was announced in November but went viral earlier this week in the wake of the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO. The news provoked major outrage from the public, elected officials and the medical community.