I saw this as well, but the article itself says the CRNAs were let go and then they filed the whistleblower complaint. Unless you have inside information this doesn’t appear to be “revenge” for hiring AAs, it makes much more sense for them to do it as retaliation for being fired.
Perhaps the hiring of AAs was the triggering event? I don't know - the complaint is mind-numbing to read. I agree with MMan that it's a blueprint of how not to handle billing issues. I will say that AAs have been practicing in Michigan under delegatory authority allowed by their Medical Practice Act for at least 30 years. They are not a new phenomenon in Michigan by any means. Hiring AAs into a toxic CRNA-dominated practice is never an easy process. That being said, it's been done quite successfully many many times over the years.
For those that have ACT practices billing medical direction - be aware that CRNAs are actively encouraged by their "professional organizations" to act as whistleblowers, not as some noble altruistic act, but as a way to encourage CRNA-only practices, and to limit by any means possible the expansion of AA practice anywhere they can. AAs do indeed have to be medically directed. For those practices that try to "get by", be aware that your actions are being noticed, and as in this case from Michigan, noted and documented in quite detailed fashion.
We have a very large, by the book, ACT practice. It's perfectly manageable, but not necessarily always easy. We go to pains to make sure our actual day to day practices as well as our documentation are correct. Nobody can sign in for anybody else for anything - the EMR requires ID and passwords, and everything is automatically time/date recorded. Our MDs satisfy all 7 steps of TEFRA. An anesthesiologist is present for every induction, period. We don't induce the patient until they're in the room - we wait. The surgeons don't whine because they know this is how we practice. And really - how long does "induction" last? Push the drugs, airway in, sign, and go. Two minutes? Three? It's just not that limiting.
Remember that in a true ACT practice, an anesthesiologist is actively involved in the care of each and every patient. Isn't that the goal?