Sen. Gordon Declares Victory Fighting for Patient Care Regarding Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Reversal of Proposed Anesthesia Coverage Cap

HARTFORD – State Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock), member of the legislature’s Public Health Committee and a practicing physician, today applauded news of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield’s decision to reverse its alarming proposal to cap anesthesia coverage reimbursement in Connecticut. Sen. Gordon was the first lawmaker in state government to draw attention to the issue, and reached out to Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Connecticut in November to get more information on the insurer’s bad policy change, which sought to impose time limits on anesthesiology care. The policy drew national attention as doctors, patients, and advocates worked with Sen. Gordon against the policy.

“I was proud to tackle this issue head-on the moment Anthem introduced this policy. I worked with advocates, patients, and healthcare professionals at the state and national levels to send a clear message to Anthem that this policy was misguided and could have adverse outcomes for people’s health care. I appreciate my anesthesiology colleagues in the American Society of Anesthesiology and the Connecticut State Society of Anesthesiologists fighting this fight with me. This apparent reversal is a very good thing for people in Connecticut who need care.

“There are so many real-world examples that I can provide as a medical doctor that illustrate how a predetermined time limit for anesthesiology coverage is unreasonable because many other medical factors are at play. I will continue to work for people and with my medical professional colleagues to make sure health insurers put the needs of patients first,” said Sen. Gordon.

In his Nov. 20 letter, Sen. Gordon posed several key questions to determine the impetus for such an impactful change in company policy. He was the first state lawmaker to engage with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield on the issue.

“This policy is absolutely contrary to providing good and safe medical care for people in Connecticut and other states. It could lead to avoidable adverse events and/or unnecessary bad outcomes. Why would Anthem BCBS pursue such a policy?” he asked.

Sen. Gordon worked cooperatively with the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Connecticut State Society of Anesthesiologists to advocate for patients and requested a joint meeting with Anthem BCBS to address this serious issue.