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The Update is produced by the General Practice Services Committee (GPSC), one of four joint collaborative committees that are a partnership between Doctors of BC and the Ministry of Health.
The GPSC programs and initiatives strengthens full-service family practice and comprehensive patient care in BC. For more information, visit gpscbc.ca.
Spring 2020
News
Physicians encouraged to add listing to new Virtual Care Directory
Pathways is creating a public facing Virtual Care Directory to support patients and physicians with the shift to virtual care (telephone and/or video).
For doctors, this directory is your chance to let your patients know that you are providing care by telephone and/or video. For patients, it is a reminder that their doctors are still there for them and this directory can be the place for them to look for specific information on how to access virtual care.
Why add your information to the directory?
We want every physician to be listed on the directory so that your patients can find out if you are delivering virtual care services.
Each listing will provide basic contact information. Some physicians may only want basic information posted (i.e. phone and address). Others will want to include information on services they offer through virtual care, and directions on how their patients can access this care.
We encourage you to join this initiative to let your patients know you are available by phone and/or video.
Click here to add your listing to the new directory.
GPSC fee codes changes for family physicians during COVID-19
Visit the Doctors of BC webpage for billing updates related to COVID-19.
Doctors of BC and the BC government have agreed to additional temporary changes to GPSC fee codes to better support the delivery of virtual care (telephone and/or video).
An informational seminar for physicians will take place Tuesday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m. Physicians can register here.
The latest increases, effective March 27th, include:
- 13706 -- New Family Practice Delegated Patient Telehealth Management Fee (effective March 30)
- 13707 -- New Family Practice Email/Text/Telephone Medical Advice Relay or ReRX Fee (effective March 30)
- 13708 -- New Family Practice COVID-19 communication with specialist and/or allied care provider (effective March 30)
Updated information on all billing and fee code changes can be found here.
For helpful Q&A, please visit the BC Family Doctors website.
Drop-in COVID-19 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 4-5pm 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. Learn more here.
RACE COVID-19 response: Extended hours & new specialty
RACE (Rapid Access to Consultative Expertise) provides access to real-time specialist advice via telephone, online, or through the RACE app. The following RACE services have been extended to ensure continued access to specialist advice in response to COVID-19:
- Online & APP only: Specialists have generously offered extended hours (after 5:00 p.m. and on weekends) in some specialties. Access them online at www.raceapp.ca or through the RACE APP (download at RACEApp+). The list of specialties can be found here.
- A new RACE specialty: Infectious Diseases - COVID-19 (clinical) is available 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, to help clinicians with differential diagnoses, work-up, and management recommendations.
For general COVID-19 information, please visit BCCDC or Doctors of BC.
Meeting Summary
Click here to read GPSC meeting summaries. Please note, the April meeting has been cancelled.
Event Calendar
APRIL
- Tuesday, April 7 - GPSC changes for April 2020 and COVID-19 fee changes for family physicians at 6:00 p.m. | Register
Every Thursday - DTO Weekly Physician Virtual Care Session at 7:15 a.m. | Register
Every Tuesday and Thursday - Drop-in COVID-19 Physician Peer Support Sessions from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Join here