Anesthesiologists were among the 10 highest-paid physician specialties in 2023, and have been among those ranks each year since 2013.

CMS reimbursements for physicians are on the decline, affecting every specialty nationwide.

Anesthesiologist shortages have been sweeping the nation, forcing major hospital systems to cancel procedures as ASCs and inpatient systems alike continue to fight for top talent. 

A Lubbock, Texas-based anesthesiologist has been accused of violating a medical license restriction more than 60 times in two months and has been temporarily barred from practicing, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported Feb. 9. 

Surgeries at two Providence hospitals were down by almost 50% in December and January amid an anesthesiologist shortage, The Oregonian reported Feb. 9. 

Here are five anesthesiologists making waves in the field.

Medicare's average anesthesia rate for 2023 is down 5.5% from 2019 as inflation continues to rise nationwide, according to an analysis by Coronis Health. Another analysis, from VMG Health, found that Medicare reimbursements for anesthesia services decreased from $22.2730 per unit in 2019 to $21.1249 in 2023 under CMS' final rule. 

Billings (Mont.) Clinic's contract with long-time anesthesia partner, Billings Anesthesiology, is set to expire on Feb. 9, according to a Feb. 7 report from local news affiliate KTVQ.

The highest paid anesthesiologist in Nashville, Tenn., earns $609,100 per year, according to Medscape's salary reporter tool, which is much higher than the mean annual wage of $302,970 anesthesiologists make according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

All part-time and full-time anesthesiologists at Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai's Beverly Anesthesiology have unionized.

As the use of weight loss medications including glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists grows rapidly, physicians are still figuring out how the medications might interact with other medications, including anesthesia. 

Working as a certified registered nurse anesthetist was recently named among the best — and highest-paying — jobs in healthcare for 2024 by U.S. News and World Report. 

ASCs are facing major obstacles to secure anesthesia as the provider shortage increases and reimbursements decline.  

The highest paid anesthesiologist in Washington, D.C., earns $618,100 per year, according to Medscape's salary reporter tool, which is much higher than the mean annual wage of $302,970 anesthesiologists make according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A group of anesthesiologists from San Antonio has launched Inspire Anesthesia Partners.

Here are five major anesthesia companies to know:

Scott Stewart, MD, chief of anesthesiology at Brockton, Mass.-based Good Samaritan Medical Center, and his certified registered nurse anesthetist Elizabeth Brady both plan to retire this year, according to a Jan. 25 report from The Enterprise.

Army anesthesiologist Maj. Michael Stockin, MD, has been accused of sexual misconduct related to 42 alleged victims, CBS News reported Jan. 24. 

U.S. Reps. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois and Dave Joyce of Ohio have introduced a bipartisan resolution that would recognize certified registered nurse anesthetists for the role they play in providing quality healthcare. 

Anesthesia reimbursement declines, along with demographic trends and case volume shifts, have drastically changed the ways that providers approach anesthesia coverage, according to a Jan. 16 blog post from Coronis Health.