Support Senate Bill S. 514 - “An Act Relative to the Registered Nurse First Assistant”

Health care changes in the 90’s have placed new demands on time management that makes prompt diagnosis and treatment essential. In some instances, a surgical case may be quickly scheduled yet unable to start, because a surgical assistant who can bill for providing the care is not available to assist the surgeon. Qualified providers of “first assistant” services who have routinely and competently provided this care for many years include physicians, physician assistants, “PA” and registered nurse first assistants, “RNFA”. Although the RNFA is physically present in the operating room and accessible to patients, Massachusetts managed care contracts have only covered this service when it is provided by physicians or PAs who assist. If the RNFA cares for the patient, that care has been denied payment.

Senate 514 would provide equity for RNFAs who assist at surgery. RNFAs provide quality, cost effective patient care. The health care payer market should not unfairly discriminate among providers of first assisting services. This legislation mandates that this discriminatory billing practice be eliminated. Where a contract covers first assisting services, it must also recognize the RNFA as a provider.

Florida, Minnesota, Maine and Rhode Island have specific state statues that support the role of RNFA as first assistant. The American College of Surgeons, the American Nurses Association, the National League of Nursing, the National Orthopedic Nurses Association and the State Boards of Nursing of all 50 states recognize RNFAs.

Please write or call your Senator today! Share with them this dilemma for registered nurses who care for surgical patients. Ask them to contact Chairman Mark Montigny, Senate Ways & Means Committee and request a favorable release of S. 514 “An Act Relative to the Registered Nurse First Assistant”.

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