Our anesthesia group recently changed network status with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
We know you may have questions, and we want to make sure you have clear,
straightforward answers.
We understand that letter may have been unexpected. The most important thing to know is that your financial responsibility for anesthesia services should not increase. That letter is a required notice from BCBS, and it does not mean you will owe more money.
Effective June 2, 2026, our anesthesia provider group will no longer be in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield. This means that when you receive anesthesia services at your facility after June 1, 2026, your anesthesia provider will be considered out-of-network by BCBS.
For most patients, no. Federal law, specifically the No Surprises Act, protects you from being charged more than your in-network cost-sharing amount (your deductible, copay, or coinsurance) for anesthesia services received at an in-network facility. Since your facility remains in-network with BCBS, you should continue to pay what you normally would for anesthesia.
No. Under the No Surprises Act, your anesthesia provider is prohibited from billing you for the difference between what BCBS pays and what they charge. Any payment difference is handled directly between your anesthesia provider and BCBS. You are not part of that process.
In most cases, no action is required on your part. You do not need to call your insurance company or request special authorization. Your cost-sharing should continue to apply as it always has.
A small number of health plans are not subject to the No Surprises Act. These include certain grandfathered health plans and some self-funded employer plans that have opted out of the law's protections. If you are unsure whether your plan is covered by the No Surprises Act, we recommend calling the member services number on the back of your insurance card to confirm.
If you receive a bill that seems inconsistent with what you normally pay, please don't ignore it. Please reach out to us using the contact information below. We are happy to review it with you and help you understand your charges.
We want to make this process as easy as possible for you.
If you prefer to speak with someone directly, you are also welcome to call us at (515) 401-1950 (option 1) during business hours 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.
While under anesthesia, you will be under the care of a solo anesthesiologist or both an anesthesiologist and a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). In either scenario, we administer medicines to prevent you from feeling pain and sensations, closely monitor your vital signs adjusting anesthetics accordingly, and direct the administration of appropriate medications during your recovery.
Anesthesiologists are physicians (M.D. or D.O.) with highly specialized training in anesthesia. They complete 4 years of medical school followed by an additional 4 years of residency. Some of our physicians additionally have specialty fellowship training. The anesthesiologist will either work with you directly during your anesthetic or will lead an anesthetic team in conjunction with one of our CRNAs.
CRNAs have advanced nursing degrees and are specially trained in the practice of anesthesia. Our CRNAs work under the supervision of an anesthesiologist during the delivery of your care and will administer medications and monitor your vital signs throughout surgery.
There are 3 main types of anesthesia administered during surgery: general, MAC (monitored anesthesia care), and regional.
General Anesthesia
General anesthetics make you unconscious and unable to feel pain or other sensations. Many general anesthetics are gases given through a mask or breathing tube. Others are liquid medicines given through a vein. During surgery, we use sophisticated electronic equipment to monitor your vital signs, including heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, breathing, brain and kidney functions.
General Anesthesia video
MAC Anesthesia video
Regional Anesthesia video
MAC – Monitored Anesthesia Care
Under monitored anesthetic care you are given sedating medication and oftentimes numbing medication to help with pain. There are different levels of MAC and depending on your overall health you may require less sedating medication. You may be more aware of your surroundings under MAC but any anxiety you may have can be treated with medicinal and non-medicinal techniques.
Regional Anesthesia
This method of anesthesia numbs an entire area of the body requiring surgery. Nerve blocks can be used to make a specific extremity or part of an extremity, such as an arm or leg, numb. Spinal anesthesia is used to make the entire lower half of your body numb and is also called neuraxial anesthesia. Often for procedures involving the legs, both of these techniques will be used during the same surgery. Regional anesthesia also includes epidurals which are frequently used in labor and delivery.
Serious complications during anesthetic care are exceedingly rare. Your anesthesiologist will review your medical conditions, identify those that may increase your risk, and tailor your anesthetic to minimize any potential risk. There are some common side effects of anesthesia including nausea, vomiting, and headache. Your anesthesiologist will review further surgery and anesthetic specific side effects the day of your surgery.