410.69—Services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist's assistant: Basic rule and definitions.
(a) Basic rule.
Medicare Part B pays for anesthesia services and related care furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist's assistant who is legally authorized to perform the services by the State in which the services are furnished.
Anesthesiologist's assistant means a person who—
(2)
Is in compliance with all applicable requirements of State law, including any licensure requirements the State imposes on nonphysician anesthetists; and
(B)
Includes approximately two years of specialized basic science and clinical education in anesthesia at a level that builds on a premedical undergraduate science background.
Anesthetist includes both an anesthesiologist's assistant and a certified registered nurse anesthetist.
Certified registered nurse anesthetist means a registered nurse who:
(3)
Has graduated from a nurse anesthesia educational program that meets the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, or such other accreditation organization as may be designated by the Secretary; and
(i)
Has passed a certification examination of the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists, the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, or any other certification organization that may be designated by the Secretary; or
(ii)
Is a graduate of a program described in paragraph (3) of this definition and within 24 months after that graduation meets the requirements of paragraph (4)(i) of this definition.
[57 FR 33896, July 31, 1992]