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Median total cash compensation for all nonphysician practitioners (NPP) increased only minimally in the past year, according to results from two 2006 CMS-designated safe-harbor surveys. These mid-level providers-certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), nurse practitioners (NP), and physician assistants (PA)-earned a median compensation of $76,772, according to the MGMA Physician Compensation and Production Survey, which is based on 2005 data. That's a 2.3% increase from the $75,068 reported in the 2005 survey. Overall, median compensation for all mid-level providers increased 16% from 2001 to 2005, according to calculations from the MGMA survey.