My question is for members who assist in surgery. I work in a urology practice and first assist Laparoscopic Davinci prostatectomies . I am credentialed by Medicare  as a surgical assistant but am denied reimbursement for this procedure by Medicare and occasionally a private insurer. Is anyone else having similar problems with reimbursement from Medicare?  I have also contacted the Academy of Nurse Practitioners regarding this issue but have yet to get a response.

Thank you 

Believe it or not I know everything there is to know about this topic!! Not the davinci per say..........I work in a general/bariatric surgery practice.

In my first post- I noted I am credentialed by Medicare as an NP including surgical assistant privileges but did not note that I am also a CRNFA. When I credentialed with Medicare in 2003 they did ask for specifics regarding my qualifications to assist in surgery

 Medicare is refusing to pay for me as the first assistant on the Lx prostatectomy cases stating they will only pay for an MD to assist for this type of case- that is where my problem lies. I am trying to find out if others are having the same issue with this particular case and reimbursement.  The other case I am not getting reimbursed for is a partial Lx nephrectomy although they do reimburse me for a total Lx nephrectomy

 

Debbie Buback ANP, CRNFA
 

Now I understand a little better. I just dont see how medicare can justify paying an MD assist and not a nonphysician provider assistant. Actually.....I think its against the law. You probably just need to keep calling medicare until you get the right person. Go on to the American Academy of physician asssistants website and look at their list of codes that pay assistants at surgery. You should also write an appeal as I am sure you have probably all ready done this or are considering it. That procedure has to pay you!!