December 1, 2023

Revised LFP Payment Schedule with maternity updates

Doctors of BC and BC Family Doctors continue to work with the Ministry of Health to improve, expand, and develop tools and support for the Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP) Payment Model. We continue to listen to your feedback, meeting regularly with the provincial government to address concerns. To submit questions or feedback, please email FP.Billing@doctorsofbc.ca.

In this newsletter, we are providing information on the following:

Changes to the LFP Payment Schedule that include important updates to support maternity care.
Support for physicians on Alternative Payment Models.
An update on adoption of the LFP Payment Model.
Reminder of Panel Registry deadline.
Reminder of Q3 panel payment timing.

New LFP Payment Schedule effective December 1, 2023

Updates to the LFP Payment Schedule include four significant changes:

Maternity clinics: Physicians enrolled in the LFP Payment Model can bill under the model when providing care at maternity clinics separate from your LFP clinic. Physicians will use the same time and interaction codes that are used to bill for care in your clinic. As with all time and interaction codes, a Facility Number is required. If your maternity clinic does not have a Facility Number, the medical director can apply for one here.
Identifying maternity services: In order to identify a maternity service, physicians must submit one of the specified ICD-9 codes related to maternity care, which can be found in the new appendix in the payment schedule. By doing so, the services will not be subject to the 30 per cent limit on services to non-panel patients. A more fulsome definition of maternity services has also been created.
Using ICD-9 codes: A new appendix has been added to the payment schedule to assist physicians in using ICD-9 codes. Using specific ICD-9 codes that reflect the care provided will ensure that the complexity of your patient care is accurately represented in your panel payment.
Effective date for enrolment: To provide clarity for physicians enrolling in the LFP Payment Model for the first time, a physician’s effective enrolment date is now identified as the first day that they bill a Time Code after they have submitted the applicable Registration Code.

We recommend reviewing the updated LFP Payment Schedule in its entirety to ensure that you are billing accurately.

BC Family Doctors’ web resources, including the Simplified LFP Guide and Billing Question Library, are being updated to reflect all of the changes to the payment schedule.

Update on Maternity Availability Payment

In a recent newsletter, we announced that family physicians on all payment models who provide labour and birth care in hospitals will soon be eligible for an Availability Payment (on call coverage payment). This will be done within the existing Medical On-Call Availability Program (MOCAP).

While the effective date will be December 1, the Ministry of Health and Health Authorities will need a few months to work out the logistics. Payments will be retroactive. For now, no action is required by physicians. More information will be provided as soon as possible.

Supports for physicians on Alternative Payment Models

The Ministry of Health is taking steps to support ongoing delivery of services for family physicians on Service Contracts or Salary Agreements while the Ministry, Doctors of BC, and BC Family Doctors are developing an expanded LFP Payment Model. The Doctors of BC website contains detailed information on compensation options that are available, along with health authority contacts to answer questions.

LFP Payment Model - By the numbers

With the launch of the LFP Payment Model, we have seen a seismic shift in the way longitudinal family physicians are paid in BC. The latest figures show us which physician groups have enrolled, and where they practice in the province.

Deadline approaching for completing Panel Registry

Physicians enrolled in the LFP Payment Model have until December 31 to complete the Panel Registry in the PAS, although we urge you to do so as soon as possible. Doctors of BC offices will be closed from after December 21 until January 2, which means staff will not be available during that time to answer your questions or address concerns. Dr.Bill’s offices and PHSA offices will be closed during statutory holidays in December.

Things to do: Log in to the Panel Registry and identify if you can take on new patients and provide or update/correct other clinic information. Review the PAS payments page that includes a detailed FAQ to ensure you have covered all the actions required in order to receive the $6,500 payment.

Update on third quarter panel payment

A reminder that the third quarter installment of the panel payment was provided to eligible physicians on November 30, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact FP.Billing@doctorsofbc.ca. Detailed FAQs on panel payments can be found in the BC Family Doctors Billing Question Library (member login required).

Need more information?

Write us

Email: FP.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)