roll eyes

Brownms46 · Aug 27, 2002

I did a contract in a GI specialty clinic, where they did Sigs, Colonoscopys, EGDs, etc..etc. And the nurses push the drugs...not the MD. And from talking to others in the same area...this is how it is done in most GI procedures.

The only time I saw an anesthesiologist/ nurse-anesthetist present during conscious sedation...was when I did a contract in an Eye surgery clince that did Cataracts, and other minor eye outpt. surgical procedures. But this was back in the late 90's..in S. C.

Conscious Sedation is done for many procedures including dental....and also no anesthsiologists present. But I guess this would depend also on the state that it is done in....as we all know...each state is different.

During conscious sedation, you're sedated , you can follow commands, but you can maintain your own airway and you retain protective reflexes. You're monitored closely with and then recovered. Most of the time..rarely a problem.

pebbles, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2002

My only thought was that insurance companies are money-grubbing stupid-heads.

This is my intelligent, articulate thought for the day. :)

Please continue.

Brownms46 · Aug 27, 2002

Ditto...:chuckle

LasVegasRN · Aug 27, 2002

There are certain procedures that allow for an anethesiologist. There are tables that are used (most insurance companies use the Medicare tables) to simply look up a number (called a CPT code) and see if it's allowed or not. The same with an assistant surgeon.

What's missing is the patient has no knowledge of this and it is not their fault. We don't carry around Medicare allowables to determine what's covered or not, and we should not have to.

pebbles, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2002

Conscious sedation is done by nurses who are specially certified in this area here.... it is considered a "transfer of function" role that nurses can do IF they are specially trained... ditto goes for epidurals. I don't see why it matters who gave the darn drug - you still needed it.

oramar · Aug 27, 2002

Las Vegas baby, I like that new picture! Here is what I think, or at least what I suspect. Refusing to cover conscious sedation is the new trick from the old bag of trick. If even 1/4 of the patients pay out of their own pockets it is a windfall. However, if someone makes a fuss it gets covered.

fedupnurse · Aug 27, 2002

It used to be, not sure if it still is, that if you receive Diprivan you had to have an anesthesiologist on board as well. If the Insurance Co. had a half a brain they'd know having this doc would jack up their costs. It does make you wonder if they aren't in cahoots sometimes doesn't it?

Zee_RN, BSN, RN · Aug 27, 2002

Originally posted by pebbles
My only thought was that insurance companies are money-grubbing stupid-heads.

LOL. That's the obvious answer. :)

ptnurse · Aug 27, 2002

You know how to deal with an insurance company. If you can't get a reasonable answer out of the first stupid head you talk to, just hang up and call back. You will never get the same answer twice. Eventually you find someone who is reasonable.(Usually)

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Aug 27, 2002

You know how to deal with an insurance company. If you can't get a reasonable answer out of the first stupid head you talk to, just hang up and call back.

That's S.O.P. (standard office procedure) in my intake office re insurance verification!

sharann, BSN, RN · Aug 28, 2002

I don't understand.

Is GI doc billing seperately for "anesthesia" services?

I believe that he may be. The nurses are the ones who recover and monitor you (and give the CS usually), so maybe the nurses should bill (right, like that would occur). The doc did the scoping and should only bill for his services.