[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 42, Volume 2] [Revised as of October 1, 2006] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 42CFR410.69] [Page 350-351] TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH CHAPTER IV--CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PART 410_SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL INSURANCE (SMI) BENEFITS--Table of Contents Subpart B_Medical and Other Health Services Sec. 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 [[Page 351]] nurse anesthetist or an anesthesiologist's assistant who is legally authorized to perform the services by the State in which the services are furnished. (b) Definitions. For purposes of this part-- Anesthesiologist's assistant means a person who-- (1) Works under the direction of an anesthesiologist; (2) Is in compliance with all applicable requirements of State law, including any licensure requirements the State imposes on nonphysician anesthetists; and (3) Is a graduate of a medical school-based anesthesiologist's assistant educational program that-- (A) Is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation; 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: (1) Is licensed as a registered professional nurse by the State in which the nurse practices; (2) Meets any licensure requirements the State imposes with respect to non-physician anesthetists; (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 (4) Meets the following criteria: (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]