BC Family Doctors allocates new dollars to fee-for-service codes from funding negotiated through the Physician Master Agreement (PMA). As a result of the increased funding in the 2022 PMA, we were able to increase fees more significantly than in previous years.
These fee increases were updated in Teleplan in mid-October.
- The Simplified Fee Guide has been updated to reflect these fee increases.
- You should see the new rates in your EMR. If not, connect with your EMR provider.
- The higher rates will be paid for any claims submitted on or after October 3. Any claims in process will be adjusted to the current rates under explanatory code BG.
Updated fee rates apply for dates of service from April 1, 2024 to present. A retroactive payment for claims previously paid at the old rates will happen in the coming weeks. We will provide an update about when you can expect to see this once we are informed of this information.
2024/25 General Fee Increase
Among others, you will see increases for the following fees from this funding allocation:
- In-office and virtual visits for ages 2-49 (00100, 13437)
- Skin procedures (13600-13623)
- Surgical assists (00196, 00197, 00198)
- Long-term care (00114)
- Labour and delivery (14104, 14105, 14108, 14109, 14199)
- Teleplan-payable forms (00062-00067)
- Other fees: intra-articular injections (00015), opioid agonist treatment (00039), emergency bedside care (00081), anesthetic evaluation (13052), advice from a specialist (14018)
Other 2024 fee increases
Almost all fees received an increase this year. A larger group of fees received significant fee increases in June 2024. We focused on fees in the following categories this year:
- Visits: In-office, virtual, and out-of-office visits will increase significantly for the first time in many years.
- Counselling: The value of counselling visits for in-office, virtual, and out-of-office care have been increased, so that they are equal to complete examinations.
- Consultations: In-office and out-of-office consultations received a significant increase to recognize the work of physicians who provide referral-based consultative care.
- Immunizations and injections: Adult and pediatric immunizations were increased.
- Office-based procedures: All types of office-based procedures were increased.
- Delegable fees: Fees that can be billed for services provided by staff and/or allied care providers were all increased, including anticoagulation advice and medical advice relay.
- Facility-based care: Fees were increased for surgical assists, labour and birth care, inpatient care, and long-term care.
- Time-based fees: All time-based fees will have an increased and equal value.
These fee changes are part of our efforts to simplify and modernize fee-for-service codes for family doctors. This is a big undertaking which is being guided by your voices and input, including our member survey.
In order to continue the work of lifting fee rates for family doctors, additional funding will be required via the 2025 PMA to ensure that all family medicine fees reflect modern medical practice.