June 9, 2023

Update on panel cleanup resources, including upcoming drop-in sessions/webinars, and the LFP Payment Schedule

The purpose of this newsletter is to provide the latest updates on the implementation of the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model. To submit questions or feedback on the payment model, please email LFP.Billing@doctorsofbc.ca.

Today we are providing you with two important updates:

New resources, upcoming webinars, and drop-in sessions are now available to assist you with panel cleanup. The first drop-in session is happening Tuesday, June 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT. See below for the registration link.
The updated LFP Payment Schedule, which includes clarification on billing for gynecological exams, panel payment information, and new language in Appendix D.

Resources and supports for panel cleanup

Resources and supports are available to help you and your practice team with the process of panel cleanup, and these are outlined below. We encourage you to start this process as soon as possible so that you can develop and submit an accurate list of empanelled patients, as you committed when you enrolled in the LFP Payment Model. Panel uploads will start in July (or sooner) and must be completed by October 31, 2023.

Please note that registration is now available for EMR-specific webinars/drop-in Q&A sessions for physicians and their support staff using OSCAR, MedAccess, Profile, and CHR. The first session for MedAccess starts Tuesday, June 13 at 5:30-6:30 p.m. We’ll update you as more sessions become available. An EMR guide for those using these systems will be available in the weeks ahead.

Self-serve option: EMR resource guides

New guides and videos outlining how to prepare your accurate and up-to-date list of empanelled patients through your EMRs can be found here.

Still have questions? Join a drop-in session

If you have more questions or need further assistance after reviewing the videos and materials provided, you can attend one of the following drop-in sessions. A panel management and health technology coach will be available to answer questions and demonstrate EMR workflow as needed.

MedAccess:

Tuesday, June 13, 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT. Register now.
Wednesday, June 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT. Register now.
Wednesday, June 28, 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT. Register now.

Profile:

Thursday, June 15, 8:00-9:00 a.m. PT. Register now.
Thursday, June 29, 6:00-7:00 p.m. PT. Register now.
Thursday, July 13, 8:00-9:00 a.m. PT. Register now.

Need step-by-step help? Join a webinar

The following webinars will walk through the steps for preparing your list of empanelled patients so that it is accurate and up-to-date for the upcoming submission:

CHR:

Thursday, June 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT. Register now.

OSCAR:

Friday, June 16, 8:00-9:00 a.m. PT. Register now.

Updated LFP Payment Schedule

An updated LFP Payment Schedule is now available. The changes address some areas of concern we heard from physicians. This update does not include changes to locum eligibility; however, those changes are expected to be completed prior to July 1, 2023. BC Family Doctors’ web resources, including the Simplified LFP Guide and Billing Question Library, have been updated to reflect the changes below.

Clarification about billing for gynecologic examinations

The language in patient interaction codes 98021 and 98051 has been updated to provide more clarity about the types of gynecologic examinations that are payable as a standard procedure.

Effective May 17, 2023, an in-person interaction with a standard procedure (98021, 98051) is payable when a physician provides a gynecologic examination that includes the use of a speculum. The increased value of 98021 and 98051 is intended to cover the cost of equipment and supplies required to do a speculum exam, similar to other standard and advanced procedures.

Updated Appendix D – Procedures and Diagnostic Tests Payable Under 98020, 98021, 98022, 98050, 98051, 98052

New wording has been added to Appendix D to identify the differences in billing for procedures under the LFP Payment Model and in fee-for-service. In many circumstances, a broader range of procedures is payable as procedural interaction codes under the LFP Payment Model than under fee-for-service.

Fee-for-service codes are provided for reference in Appendix D to assist physicians transitioning from fee-for-service to the LFP Payment Model. However, the fee-for-service billing rules, fee notes, and General Preamble do not apply to procedures billed under the LFP Payment Model unless specifically noted in the LFP Payment Schedule.

We recommend reviewing the following questions in the BC Family Doctors’ Billing Question Library that identify some notable differences when billing for procedures under the LFP Payment Model:

Updates to the panel payment section

The LFP Payment Schedule has also been updated to reflect panel payment information as shared with you in recent newsletters. Detailed information about panel payment eligibility, logistics, amounts, and calculation can be found in the BC Family Doctors Billing Question Library (member login required).

As a reminder, the panel payment is designed to be paid out on a quarterly installment schedule. You can expect the first two quarterly installments to be paid in the same MSP pay period by August 31, 2023. Payment details, including payment dates, will be communicated to individual physicians prior to payment.

Next week, family physicians enrolled in the LFP Payment Model will receive a direct email outlining the steps to take to receive the panel payment in 2023.

Need more information about the Longitudinal Family Physician Payment Model?

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)