Q: What is a Surgical First Assistant or SFA?

 

Surgical First Assistants are highly skilled medical professionals that work as an important part of the surgical team and under the supervision and direction of the primary surgeon. HSP's or PASCAL's SFAs typically hold one of the following types of licensure or certification:

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• MD or DO (Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)

• PA (Physician Assistant)

• ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner)

• CRNFA (Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant)

• RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assistant)

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Q: Who pays for the Surgical First Assistant?

 

Health insurance policies typically will pay for the SFA under the terms of the specific policy. Depending on the individual’s policy there may be some patient responsibility as dictated by the insurance company in the form of a co-insurance, co-payment and/or deductible.

 

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Q: Why should I have a SFA in my surgery? What are the benefits?

 

High level SFAs have been proven to bring numerous benefits to patients in surgery including:

 

• SFAs have been shown to reduce surgery times. Shorter surgery time leads to better surgical outcomes for patients including less time spent under anesthesia and quicker overall recovery time.

• SFAs bring the latest knowledge about technologies and surgical procedures to the operating room everyday through their education and experience.

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Q: Who decides if a Surgical First Assistant should be in my surgery?

 

Your primary surgeon is the one who decides if utilizing an SFA is in the best interest of the patient’s care. In some circumstances, hospitals may dictate that a high level SFA is required to elevate the level of care provided on certain types of surgeries.

 

 

Q: Who does the Surgical First Assistant work for? The hospital, the surgeon, or who?

 

Although SFAs are under the direct supervision of the primary surgeon in each surgery at which they assist, SFAs are employed by HSP or PASCAL, an independent corporation outside of the hospital and surgical practice.

 

 

Q: If I have a question about how  Surgical First Assistants are billing my insurance can I find out more?

 

Absolutely, we are very happy to answer your questions. Please call our billing department at 833-477-2677.

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