Anesthesiology Labor Market Study 2010
Findings:
Work arrangements
- 40% of CRNAs and ANs are employed by a single group
- 40% of CRNAS and ANs are employed by a single facility or hospital
- ANs spend more time performing general anesthesia
- CRNAs spend more of their time performing monitored anesthesia care (MAC)
- CRNAs are more likely to be employed by rural facilities
Reimbursement
- ANs work more hours and make twice as much as CRNAs
- Both ANs and CRNAs make more money in a rural setting
Regional Differences
- Western CRNAs are least likely to be employed by a group
- Western ANs are most likely to be employed by a group
- Northeastern ANs and CRNAs tend to work in larger facilities
Shortage/Surplus
- Greatest evidence for a shortage is in the Northeast and in urban areas
- Nationally, the anesthesia market is thought to be equilibrium, while states see mixed statuses
- 25 states show a shortage of ANs currently
- 19 states show a shortage of CRNAs currently
- In absolute numbers, Florida, Alabama and North Carolina exhibit the most shortage of ANs
- In absolute numbers, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida exhibit the greatest shortage, while Minnesota, North Carolina and California exhibit the most surplus of CRNAs.
- 2020 national projections exhibit a shortage of ANs and a surplus of CRNAs.
Rand Health performed this study in 2010 for Ethicon. For copy right reasons I am providing my impression of the most pertinent findings of the report and not a copy of the reoprt. If you would like a reprint fo the actual report you can request one at http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR688/
SGR Fix Stuck Because of Jobs Bill
There is one big problem with the currently proposed SGR fix, it is attached to a jobs bill. On Friday, June 18th the Senate tried to unbundle it and passed a bill that would have stopped the SGR cut for six months. The Senate did not address the bigger jobs bill. The Senate expressed concerns over the increasing decifit as the reason for not passing the jobs bill.
On Monday, June 21st the House leadership would not take up the Senate bill (SGR six-month patch) without a jobs bills. Within hours Nancy Pelosi released a statement saying, “I see no reason to pass this inadequate bill until we see jobs legislation coming out of the Senate. House Democrats are saying to Republicans in the Senate: Show us the jobs!”
At this point the SGR legislation is languishing because of concerns about a jobs bill. Meanwhile Medicare is processing claims that had been previously held with dates of service of 6/1/10 forward at the 21.3% reduced rate. These claims are being processed on a first in / first out basis (FIFO). The Senate and House are currently at a stalemate regarding jobs bill and SGR which unfortunately have been tied together.
