New temporary COVID-19 fee codes for family physicians (effective March 27)

Doctors of BC and the BC government have created new temporary fee codes to support COVID-19 related work and ongoing patient care. Effective March 27, there are new GPSC fee codes for family physicians. The new GPSC fee codes expand accessibility and increase capacity to provide care. One new fee better enables communication between providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full details on the new and updated fee codes can be found here.

These changes and other recent billing changes for family physicians will be covered in a GPSC billing webinar on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Click here to register.

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GPSC billing education webinars

This spring, GPSC will continue to offer its billing education webinars about GPSC incentive fees and select MSP fees for all family physicians. Each 90-minute webinar session will be led by physician educators.

Participants in this session will be led through more challenging, complex family practice billing scenarios. This cumulative session includes all content covered in sessions one through five, including all GPSC incentives and relevant MSP fees covered to-date.

Physicians are encouraged to join the live, scheduled webinars to receive information that is up-to-date, advice that is relevant, and opportunities for real-time engagement. Please note, webinars are not recorded.

Click here for dates and details.

A fall series will be announced in the upcoming months.

Incentive fees webinar: Recording now available

On March 24 and 30, the GPSC hosted webinars to discuss the incentive fees coming into effect on April 1, COVID-19 related fee changes affecting family physicians, and Pathways tools for COVID-19 care.

The March 30 webinar was recorded for physicians who weren't able to attend. The recording can be viewed here.

These changes and other recent billing changes for family physicians will be covered in a GPSC billing webinar on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Click here to register.

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Campaign launched to raise awareness that physicians are using virtual care

Doctors of BC sent a news release to media this morning to ensure the public is aware that their doctors are available to treat them during the COVID-19 pandemic through the increased use of telephone and video. A follow-up package containing messaging was shared with divisions to support them in doing media outreach. Doctors of BC has also started a social media campaign focused on the phrase: Need care? Call your doctor first. They know you best. #virtualCARE.

The news release and a Q & A for patients can be found here.
A poster for offices can be found here.

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COVID-19 supports

PSP's Virtual Care Support Network

The Practice Support Program’s (PSP) team of regional coaches provide 1:1 support to enable physicians and their practice teams to optimize virtual care technology. Divisions who would like to receive support can contact their regional PSP team.

For more information about the Practice Support Program or to contact your regional PSP team, click here.

Resources from BC Family Doctors

Self-care tools for family doctors: BC Family Doctors has created mobile and desktop-based mindfulness tools and an infographic with self-care tips, in addition to a number of other resources to support family doctors.

BC Family Doctors has created a COVID-19 Employer sick note handout. Physicians can give the handout to patients to educate employers about the current national and provincial health guidelines requiring employees to self-isolate or arrange alternate work arrangements after international travel or for those who live with, care for, or spend time with someone testing positive for COVID-19 or who experience symptoms of illness.

Click here for resources.

Drop-in physician peer support sessions

Starting Tuesday, April 7, the BC Physician Health Program (PHP) will be offering free drop-in Physician Peer Support Sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. PST via Zoom.

Join other physicians, and Psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Russel, and PHP’s Roxanne Joyce, to talk over any challenges and issues providing care as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Sessions are drop-in, no commitment necessary, focusing on peer support not psychiatric care.

Email peersupport@physicianhealth.com for the link to join by phone or video. Click here to learn more here.

Pathways COVID-19 resources and support

To support Divisions of Family Practice and their members during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pathways has created a number of resources.

• COVID-19 Patient and Physician Resources: The Resource Committee has been reviewing and entering patient resources on a weekly basis, which can be emailed to patients from a no reply email.
• New Banners: Pathways is working with the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) to maintain very brief, up-to-date news banners with active links that are pushed to every Division’s homepage.
• Central Repository of COVID-19 Assessment Centres: Pathways is gathering data from each community and is adding clinic profiles for each centre under a new Specialty category: COVID Care.
• Public-Facing Pathways Virtual Care Directory: Pathways is creating a public facing Virtual Care Directory to support physicians and their patients with the shift to virtual care. By compiling all virtual care listings in one place, Pathways can easily create linkages to appropriate COVID-19 assessment centres and provide patients with up-to-date information. Family physicians can enter their telehealth/virtual care information in the directory here. Specialists can enter their virtual care information here.

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COVID‐19 update to BC Cancer Screening Program availability

Many cancer screening services and processes are being temporarily suspended at this time to reduce the risk of COVID‐19 transmission amongst asymptomatic populations and to allow the health system to focus resources on urgent and emergent care.

Click here for more information and FAQs.

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Outlook setup guide for Divisions of Family Practice

Robson Communications, which hosts email addresses for local divisions of family practice, has posted an online Divisions Outlook Setup Guide. The provincial office provides email addresses for local division staff as needed, following the conventions of NAME@divisionsbc.ca or PROJECT@divisionsbc.ca. Divisions that need email accounts set up can contact Robson Communications directly at divisions@robsonsupport.com or 604-569-2706.

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Direct-acting oral anticoagulants now covered by Pharmacare for new patients

Effective March 30, 2020, PharmaCare’s Limited Coverage Criteria for direct-acting anticoagulants (DOACs) are changing for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patients newly starting anticoagulation treatments are no longer required to try warfarin. Warfarin is the long-established anticoagulation treatment for the prevention of ischemic strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). However, its use requires frequent lab testing when therapy is started, which may not be desirable for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DOACs are as effective as warfarin in treating the aforementioned indications and do not require lab testing as frequently.

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Updated Perinatal Services BC Forms – On hold until further notice

In a previous Divisions Dispatch article published on March 6, it was communicated that Perinatal Services BC was planning to release three updated Perinatal Services BC forms on April 1st, 2020:

1. Antenatal Record (PSBC 1905 + PSBC 1905A)
2. Triage and Assessment Record (PSBC 1910)
3. Labour and Birth Summary (PSBC 1920)

However, due to recent events, these forms are on hold and will not be released on April 1 as previously communicated.

For any questions, please email psbc@phsa.ca.

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Walk with Your Doc event update

.Doctors of BC has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and have made the difficult decision to cancel this years’ Walk with your Doc event. There are several factors that informed this decision including:

• Uncertain physical distancing requirements in early May
• Leading by example by committing to physical distancing
• Respect for the role our members play in healthcare and their need to focus on their roles as physicians during this rapidly evolving situation.

The safety and well-being of the general public, event organizers, and physicians is the first priority.

For more information, contact Patrick Higgins at phiggins@doctorsofbc.ca.

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Divisions in the News