SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5250

BYSenators Moore, McDonald, Fleming, Bender, Vognild, Talmadge, Tanner, Bailey, Benitz, Lee, Kiskaddon and Metcalf

Requiring insurance coverage for services of certified surgical assistants.

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 27, 1987; January 29, 1988

Senate Staff:Walt Corneille (786-7416)

AS OF JANUARY 28, 1988

BACKGROUND:

A surgical assistant is an individual who has acquired knowledge of operating procedures through prior on-the-job training and/or specialized schooling.  The duties of a surgical assistant include, among others, assisting in the positioning of patients, retracting tissue, clamping and tying blood vessels and closing the surgical wound.  A surgical assistant may assist in surgery only at the primary surgeon's request, and only when the surgical assistant has been granted privileges to practice by the health care facility.  Currently, there are 79 known surgical assistants practicing in Washington.  Of the 79, approximately 15 are nationally certified.

SUMMARY:

Any disability insurance contract, group disability contract, or health care service contract shall include benefits for the services of a surgical assistant if the contract provides for the services of a first assistant in surgery.  In order for the costs of a surgical assistant to be a covered benefit, certain prerequisites must be met.  The surgical assistant must be certified either nationally, or by the state; have passed a national examination for surgical assistants; have been granted privileges to provide services by the health care facility, and be performing services within the scope of the required certificate.  The patient must have been informed by a surgeon prior to the surgery that the surgical assistant would assist in surgery.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested