Trump Administration Makes Sweeping Regulatory Changes In Response to COVID-19

On Monday, March 30, President Donald Trump and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a variety of temporary regulatory waivers and new regulations to address health care’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among a variety of provisions, the changes include elimination of physician supervision of anesthesia services under Medicare for the duration of the emergency declaration. The rule defers to state law and hospital medical staff rules that may require supervision. According to the waiver and rule changes: “CMS is waiving the requirements that a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is under the supervision of a physician.”