A Surgical Assistant is defined as a physician who assists the principal operating surgeon to ensure excellent health care delivery during complex surgeries. While this may involve a general practitioner, there are many cases of significant complexity where the expertise of a specialist is required. 

To acknowledge the value Surgical Assistants provide to Manitoba’s health system, the 2023 Physician Services Agreement included significant improvements in compensation. 

Rules to Keep in Mind When Billing

• The Surgical Assistant should be billed only where the involvement is medically justified in relation to the primary procedure performed. 
• While not required, it is prudent to chart the reason for the surgical assist. 
• Concurrent surgical assist claims should not be made. 

How It’s Calculated:

• General Practitioner — 40% of the total value of procedural benefits paid to the principal surgeon. 
• Specialist - 60% of the total value of procedural benefits paid to the principal surgeon. 

Fee Codes

Surgical Assistants should ensure they bill the same fee codes as the primary surgeon, using prefix ​‘0’ to identify themselves as the Surgical Assistant. Surgical Assistants are not paid until the primary surgeon has been paid for the procedure. 

In those limited circumstances when a second surgical assistant is required, billing practices would follow the same process outlined above. 

Billing Notes:

• No additional claim should be made for supportive care by the assistant for the post-operative period. 
• Claims for concomitant care may be made in addition to the surgical assist.