Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are no longer just a behind-the-scenes part of the healthcare team—they’re a driving force in the delivery of anesthesia care.
In fact, these highly trained professionals are taking on a more prominent role than ever before, from surgical procedures to labor and delivery rooms.
According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), CRNAs are responsible for administering more than 58 million anesthetics annually across the United States.
As healthcare systems strive to balance quality care with cost-efficiency, these professionals are quickly becoming indispensable. The question is, what does this mean for anesthesia providers and their billing methods?
That’s what we’re talking about today. CRNAs are transforming both clinical and operational settings, so let’s discuss their contributions and what they mean for anesthesia groups and practices.
What Are Nurse Anesthetists?
Certified registered nurse anesthetists are advanced practice registered nurses who hold specialized education and training to provide anesthesia care.
These highly skilled professionals are equipped to assess patients, administer anesthesia, and monitor vital signs during procedures. They possess a master's or doctoral degree in nurse anesthesia and are certified through national certification examination boards.
Generally, nurse anesthetist responsibilities can include…
- Preoperative assessments
- Designing individualized anesthesia care plans
- Administering anesthesia to patients
- Providing post-anesthesia care to help patients recover safely
CRNA expertise typically extends across various clinical settings, including operating rooms, labor and delivery units, pain management clinics, and ambulatory surgical centers.
The Growing Nurse Anesthetist Demand
In comparison to other healthcare providers, the demand for certified nurse anesthetists has steadily increased, particularly as facilities seek cost-effective solutions and look for ways to provide high-quality care while managing rising costs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners to grow 40% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations. Additionally, about 31,900 openings for these positions are projected annually.
Why are these professions growing so rapidly? In our experience, several factors are contributing to the growing reliance on CRNAs in healthcare:
Cost-Efficiency
Healthcare systems are always on the lookout for ways to control costs while maintaining quality care. Nurse anesthetists are often able to provide services at a lower cost than anesthesiologists, making them a valuable resource in both rural and urban settings.
TAG MedStaffing even estimates that nurse anesthetist services cost 40-50% less than anesthesiologists. That’s a significant price difference, especially for small healthcare facilities with limited budgets.
Increased Access to Care
Many sources indicate that the U.S. is facing an anesthesiologist shortage. At the same time, the Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health shared that surgical service demands will continue to rise by 2-3% per year, particularly among the elderly.
Fortunately, CRNAs can step in to meet the demand for anesthesia services. They are trained to work independently or in collaboration with anesthesiologists, providing access to safe anesthesia care even in underserved areas.
Expanding Surgical Volume
It’s estimated that the Global Surgical Procedures Volume Market is expected to grow by 3.5% from 2024 to 2033. With more surgeries comes a higher demand for anesthesia and pain management.
With the increase in both elective and outpatient procedures, nurse anesthetists are playing a larger role in anesthesia administration. This is especially true in settings like outpatient surgery centers, where anesthesia needs are more diverse and require flexibility.
Integration of CRNAs into Anesthesia Practices
Integrating CRNAs into an anesthesia practice team can bring a range of operational and clinical benefits. Providers that utilize registered nurse anesthetists benefit from their expertise, but they may also experience improvements in staffing flexibility, scheduling, and overall productivity.
The American Society of Anesthesiologists openly states that CRNAs are filling vital roles and addressing workforce shortages. Registered nurse anesthetists also help balance the workload by performing duties that might otherwise fall solely to anesthesiologists, including preoperative assessments, administering anesthesia, and managing recovery.
However, managing a team that includes CRNAs comes with its own set of challenges. For example, how do you facilitate communication between registered nurses and doctors? How can practices better schedule their teams to avoid potential gaps or overlaps?
As we move forward, anesthesia practices need to adopt efficient operational strategies that iron out messy processes, contribute to accurate billing, and help meet compliance standards. That’s where Medical Business Management (MBM) comes in.
How MBM Supports Anesthesia Practices
CRNAs, as independent providers, often require different billing approaches compared to anesthesiologists. Practices with CRNAs will need to make sure they are compensated fairly and in line with industry standards, and that requires careful attention to detail and reimbursement policies.
At MBM, we help anesthesia practices…
Optimize Revenue Cycle Management
Accurately billing and reimbursing anesthesia services (provided by registered nurses or anesthesiologists) can be a complex task. MBM works with practices to streamline this process and reduce the risk of claim denials or delays, allowing providers to focus on patient care rather than administrative burdens.
Enhance Compliance
CRNAs work in a highly regulated environment, and practices must comply with both state and federal regulations regarding nurse anesthesia programs. MBM provides expert support to help anesthesia practices stay up-to-date with the latest regulations and industry standards.
Improve Operational Efficiency
Integrating CRNAs into an anesthesia practice requires careful scheduling and resource management. MBM’s solutions help practices optimize workflows, helping CRNAs and anesthesiologists work together efficiently and without redundancy.
Maximize Financial Performance
CRNAs contribute to a more cost-effective anesthesia model, but making the most of their financial impact requires careful revenue stream management. MBM works with anesthesia practices to identify opportunities for maximizing reimbursement and managing costs associated with CRNA staffing.
What the Future Holds for CRNAs in Healthcare
With the demand for anesthesia and pain management services growing, CRNAs will continue to play a central role in providing the care patients need across a wide range of medical settings.
Additionally, as more healthcare systems adopt nurse-led care models, CRNAs will become integral to teams providing anesthesia care in both urban and rural communities.
Healthcare providers are already adapting to these changes, and anesthesia practices must consider how they will integrate CRNAs into their teams. By utilizing CRNAs effectively, anesthesia practices can meet the growing demand for anesthesia services while maintaining a focus on patient safety and quality care.
Capitalize on CRNAs at Your Practice With MBM
With the support of Medical Business Management, practices can face the operational and financial aspects of this integration. Our anesthesia billing services will help your group stay compliant and financially viable while providing the best possible anesthesia care.
Reach out to our team to learn more. Whether you’ve already added CRNas to your team or plan to soon, we’ll make the transition smooth and impactful.
