BC Family Doctors has been systematically reviewing fee codes for MSP-payable and uninsured services to reflect current standards of care, language, and service delivery.
We are happy to report that our review has resulted in some recent changes to the Doctors of BC Fee Guide for Uninsured Services. These changes are also updated in our Simplified Fee Guide.
1. Deletion of fee code A00058 Premarital Examination
Sixty years ago, the premarital examination was common and, in some regions, required by law. This examination has thankfully disappeared from standard medical practice. The term is now a euphemism for “virginity testing” which is practiced in multiple regions of the world and in some communities in Canada.
As part of the global call to eliminate violence against women and girls, the UN Human Rights Office, UN Women and World Health Organization issued a statement in 2018 stressing that “virginity testing” is a violation of human rights and that “this medically unnecessary, and often times painful, humiliating and traumatic practice must end.”
As this is now cultural practice (not medical practice), we recommended that this uninsured fee be deleted from the Fee Guide for Uninsured Services. We believe that it is incongruent with our values as a physician organization to identify this as an uninsured service.
2. Updating language in A94522 Specimen submitted for examination in cases of suspected sexual assault – per specimen or article
A94522 was previously Rape, specimen submitted for examination in cases of suspected rape – per specimen or article
Sexual and gender-based violence are pervasive in our province. 50% of Canadian women have experienced sexual or physical violence. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent climate disasters.
We recommended that the wording of this fee code be updated to reflect the spectrum of sexual and gender-based violence, by using the same language as the Sexual Assault Services in BC.
3. Updating language relating to Correctional Services
The wording of the below fee codes has now been updated to reflect the current language utilized by BC Corrections to describe British Columbia’s ten provincial correctional centres. We also suggested that the term “prisoner” be updated to reflect the doctor-patient relationship.
A00085 Jail Correctional centre visit to examine one prisoner patient including certification – day time
A00086 Subsequent jail correctional centre visit to examine prisoner patient again including certification
A00087 Other prisoners patients examined at same jail correctional centre visit including certification – each
A00088 Jail Correctional centre visit to examine one prisoner patient including certification – night (1700 hrs.to 0830 hrs.), Saturday, Sunday or Statutory holiday
A00089 Examination of prisoners patients in doctor’s office including certification – each
You can find more BC Family Doctors tools and resources for your practice about uninsured services, including our standardized Uninsured Services invoice, on our Billing Tools page.