Wiki fellow is assistant at surgery

[lorilynn7657]

I have a fellow who is of the same specialty as the primary surgeon. Am I correct that we may not bill for the fellow's assist since they are of the same specialty as the primary? If so, or if not, can someone please direct me to where I may find this directive? I appreciate your help.

 

[csperoni]

If by "fellow", you mean someone in an approved ACGME training program, you may not bill for those services. They are considered just like an intern/resident for billing purposes. The teaching institution receives funding to have the fellowship.
If the "fellow" is in a NON-approved ACGME training program, it MIGHT be billable if:
1) they have completed a residency and are fully licensed
2) they are employed by your practice
3) performed in a non-teaching institution, or documented there was no qualified resident available to assist
4) the procedure allows for an assistant at surgery
Here was a prior discussion that may help: https://www.aapc.com/discuss/threads/general-surgeon-fellow.195428/?view=date#post-535791