Anesthesia Provider Types & Common Terms Explained
There are different providers of anesthesia services. Below a list with descriptions of the most common providers.
What Is Anesthesiology?
Anesthesiology isthe practice of medicine dedicated to the relief of pain and total care of the surgical patient before, during and after surgery.
What Is An Anesthesiologist?
An anesthesiologist is a physician who specializes in anesthesiology and is board certified as an anesthesiologist.
What Is A CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)?
A CRNA is an advance practice registered nurse. CRNAs are registered nurses with a baccalaureate degree who have completed an additional 24 to 36 months of training in anesthesiology in an accredited program and are certified by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, or the Council on the Certification of Nurse Anesthetists of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).
What Means Personally Performed?
To be considered personally performed, the anesthesiologist may not be involved in any other procedure or duties that take him/her out of the operating room.
It should be assumed that if the anesthesiologist leaves the operating room, he/she is performing other duties.
If the anesthesiologist leaves the operating room to perform any other duties, the anesthesia procedure may not be billed as personally performed.
What Is A Physician?
A physician is a medical doctor (MD) who is licensed to provide health services within the scope of his/her profession.
