Growth of 1099 opportunities in key healthcare sectors

Like their W-2 counterparts, 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists work in many healthcare settings. These include hospitals, doctors’ offices, ambulatory surgery centers, labor decks,  and others. Basically, anywhere anesthesia or anesthesia related services are  required, you’ll probably find CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, including those working as 1099 independent contractors.

 But in today’s market, some settings are experiencing heightened demand for 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. It’s important to note that CRNA scope of practice varies by state and facility, which can influence where and how CRNAs can practice. For example, in dental settings, not all states permit CRNAs to administer anesthesia, and some require additional permitting. With that in mind, here’s a look at a few of today’s hot spots.

Where 1099 CRNAs and Nurse Anesthesiologists Are in Demand

The demand for 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists continues to grow nationwide. A mix of factors is driving this trend: rising surgical volumes, an aging population requiring more complex care, and evolving laws and regulations that shape how healthcare professionals can practice. Together, these dynamics are creating strong opportunities for 1099 CRNAs across a variety of clinical settings.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) and Outpatient Centers

In the United States, more than 65% of surgeries take place at ASCs — and that might be the low point for the foreseeable future. The ASC market size is projected to grow 6.02% each year through 2030. As ASCs grow, so too does the need for 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists.

“ASCs have long been appealing workplaces for 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, offering predictable schedules without nights, weekends, holidays, or on-call requirements.” said Tracy Young, AANA President-Elect.

Adding the CON impact: The  effect of many states removing Certificate of Need (CON) laws has opened the door to more ASCs. CON laws are state-level regulations that require healthcare providers to obtain permission from a state agency before establishing new healthcare facilities, expanding existing ones, or offering new or expanded services. Many states have begun to relax or repeal their CON laws, allowing new ASCs to operate or existing ASCs to expand their services. This, in turn, boosts the need for 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. 

Dental Offices 

The growing presence of 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists in dental offices reflects their specialized expertise, ability to enhance patient safety, and cost-efficient staffing flexibility. Their extensive training in anesthesia delivery, advanced airway management, and vigilant patient monitoring is especially valuable in dental settings, where shared airways present unique challenges. 

1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists support a range of dental procedures — from managing anxious patients to providing deep sedation or general anesthesia for complex cases — ensuring optimal safety and comfort. For practices, the 1099 model offers access to highly skilled anesthesia providers on an as-needed basis, without the expense of a full-time W-2 position. This arrangement helps dental offices control costs while expanding their services to meet a wider variety of patients’ needs. 

Plastic Surgery Centers 

Plastic surgery centers frequently contract with  1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists because of the specialized anesthesia care required for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, coupled with the inherent flexibility of the independent contractor model. These centers often perform a high volume of elective procedures, making a flexible anesthesia staffing model an ideal solution.

CRNAs/Nurse anesthesiologists in this setting provide comprehensive anesthetic services, supporting patient safety and comfort throughout the surgical experience. The 1099 model gives these centers highly skilled anesthesia professionals on an as-needed basis, avoiding the overhead of full-time employment while maintaining consistent, high-quality care. This model offers cost savings for centers and autonomy for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. Centers gain adaptable, expert anesthesia coverage while CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists achieve autonomy, higher earning potential, and the work-life balance indicative of a 1099 role.

Gastrointestinal (GI) Centers 

In gastrointestinal (GI) centers, 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists provide safe and efficient anesthesia and sedation care during endoscopic procedures, which are increasingly performed in dedicated GI centers due to growing patient volumes. This is pushing demand for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists even higher. 

For 1099 workers, GI centers provide schedules that are friendly to independent contractors: no nights, weekends, or on-call days. GI centers can use 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists to maintain optimal staffing levels to meet patient demand, enhance unit efficiency, and provide high-quality anesthesia services without budgeting for a full-time employee.

Other Emerging Settings for CRNAs/Nurse Anesthesiologists 

Beyond traditional healthcare settings, emerging specialized clinics and new care models are creating additional opportunities for 1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists 

Ketamine clinics: Increasingly, CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists administer ketamine therapy in clinics for psychiatric disorders or chronic pain management. In these roles, they oversee patient safety through infusion dosing and monitoring, pre- and post-infusion assessment, and collaboration with other healthcare team members. 

 Tele-anesthesia and remote care: Telehealth is beginning to expand into anesthesiology, though this remains an emerging practice rather than a broadly adopted model. For instance, some large health systems — such as Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri — are experimenting with centralized ‘anesthesia control towers.’ In this model, off-site CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and other clinicians support local providers through video feeds and real-time data. While this approach shows potential for guiding care in smaller or rural hospitals and streamlining preoperative assessments for patients who live far from surgical centers, its future is uncertain. Implementation may be limited by state laws, regulatory restrictions, and reimbursement structures, which vary widely across the U.S. 

Stay Up-to-Date With the 1099 CRNA Institute

1099 CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists have an expanding range of opportunities to explore. With demand for healthcare services continuing to rise, the future offers ample possibilities for independent practitioners to maintain autonomy and flexibility. 

Staying informed on labor market trends, evolving state regulations, and shifting federal priorities is essential for success in the 1099 model. Whether you are an experienced 1099 CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist or considering the transition, the AANA 1099 CRNA Institute offers comprehensive, on-demand resources to support your professional growth in any healthcare setting.