First Assist billing

[cna to crna2b]

I am in the tail end of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program. I intend on getting my RNFA when I am done. I have a busy general surgeon wanting me to work for him hen I am done. Additionally I could probably pick up cases with his partners.

He is not going to pay me but rather have me bill directly the insurance companies myself. I know that it can take months to get reimbursed and you can get reimbursed at a lower rate than what is billed or not at all. I would be able to keep working at my current job and would be able to ease my way into this role.

My question is, is this worth it financially? Is it worth the headache of the billing? Would I be able to make a good enough income to cover my malpractice and health insurance on top of paying myself? Or would it be wiser to just get a traditional staff salary job?

Any help would be appreciated.

[penniv]

You need more information on his billing before you can make a decision. You also need to find out what the laws are in your state regarding billing of a RNFA. In South Carolina I am paid 85% of the eligible reimbursement rate of the first assist payment. There are states that do not allow billing for certain insurances.

Find out his most common surgeries and then you can determine if they pay a first assist. From there you can determine if the finances make sense based on your malpractice insurance and you covering your own benefits and taxes. Also remember, that it sounds like you will be self-employed so no opportunity for worker's comp either.