March 10, 2023

Important updates on the LFP Payment Model

The purpose of this newsletter is to provide the latest updates on the implementation of the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model. We are continuing to listen to your feedback, working and meeting regularly with the provincial government to address your concerns. Below is updated information. To submit questions or feedback on the payment model, please email LFP.Billing@doctorsofbc.ca.

Since its launch just over a month ago, 2,133 family physicians across BC have enrolled in the Longitudinal Family Physician Payment Model, representing 47.8% of doctors practicing longitudinal care. We were pleased last week that the provincial government announced $1 billion in new funding over the next three years to support the costs of the new payment model.

We know there is more to be done, and we are working with government to finalize our workplan, and establish timelines for delivering on the expansion of the model to include family physicians providing in-patient and maternity care, long-term care, and to meet the unique needs of rural physicians.

Today we are announcing a number of developments:

Updated LFP Payment Schedule

An updated LFP Payment Schedule (effective March 13, 2023) is now available with some important changes based on your feedback. Notable changes are listed below. We are continuing to work on addressing other questions and clarifications. Please review the new payment schedule before submitting codes.

Transition period for non-panel services

Physicians who currently provide episodic care and/or have a focused practice have indicated that the 30% limit on non-panel services is preventing them from enrolling. You told us that you need more time to be able to transition your clinical practice and your practice arrangements.

Based on this, we have reached agreement to create a temporary exemption for the 30% limit on non-panel services. If you are actively transitioning your practice to meet this 30% limit but need more time to do so, you can submit a Transition Code (98001) to access an exemption until March 31, 2024.

Information about how to submit the Transition Code can be found in the updated LFP Payment Schedule.

Non-panel services exemption for rural physicians

If you are a physician who is practicing in a rural community that was designated a NIA community as of December 15, 2002, you are not required to meet the 30% limit for non-panel services this year – as well, you are not required to submit a Transition Code. This approach allows time for Doctors of BC, BC Family Doctors, and the Ministry of Health to develop a solution that reflects the realities of rural medicine.

Locum physicians

Eligible locum physicians can enrol and start billing under the LFP Payment Model starting March 13, 2023. To be eligible to bill under the LFP Payment Model, a locum physician must be substituting on a temporary basis for a physician who is enrolled in the LFP Payment Model and is away from their practice. While providing locum coverage, the physician needs to provide care to patients on the host physician’s panel or the panels of other physicians at the clinic (with or without non-panel services and/or maternity services).

The following provides a pathway to enrolling as an LFP Locum:

Review the LFP Payment Schedule, including locum eligibility, required locum services, and enrolment;
Become a member of BC Family Doctors to access LFP billing resources, including the Simplified LFP Guide, LFP Billing Question Library, and other tools;
Review the information on the Doctors of BC and BC Family Doctors websites (member login required); and
Enrol as an LFP Locum by submitting both the Registration Code (98000) and the Locum Registration Code (98005)

Locum physicians bill for time spent providing patient care using new Locum Time Codes and Locum Patient Interaction Codes. They are not eligible to receive a panel payment. Details about LFP locum billing can be found in the updated LFP Payment Schedule and the BC Family Doctors website.

Please hold your billings for Locum Time Codes and Locum Patient Interaction Codes at least one business day after submission of the Registration Code and Locum Registration Code. As the work to get locum billing launched is happening rapidly, some EMRs and billing systems may not have the Locum Registration Code or locum billing codes ready. You may need to wait to submit your billing for a few days while your EMR or billing system is being updated.

In addition to the LFP Payment Model enrolment, several other initiatives are proceeding to support locums and family physicians around the province, including the urban locum pilot program, funded by the FPSC, and the rural locum programs, supported by the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues. The long-term goal is a province-wide locum program that considers the needs of various communities.

Need more information?

Write us

Email: LFP.Billing@doctorsofbc.ca

View our information online (member login required)

Doctors of BC: doctorsofbc.ca/new-payment-model
BC Family Doctors: https://bcfamilydocs.ca/lfp-payment-model/
BC Government website: gov.bc.ca/MSP/LFP (login not required)