Using Medicare multiples results in disproportionate reimbursement for anesthesiologists compared to other physicians.

Multispecialty groups and insurer fee schedules computed as a multiple of the Medicare reimbursement rate have resulted in a severely low reimbursement rate for anesthesia compared to other specialties. The authors suggest that anesthesiologists negotiate for a discount from the usual and customary fee equal to what the other specialties have been asked to bear.