BC community-based doctors are dealing with increasing costs to their rented, leased and owned offices. Since April 2020, eligible doctors can claim the Business Cost Premium (BCP) to cover MSP fees for in-person consultation, visit, counselling, and complete examination services. A month later, the BCP extended to cover Telehealth (phone and video) fee items for consultation, visit, counselling, and complete examination services. This means you can claim the premium even during COVID-19, as normally you’d provide these services in person. To be eligible, you must:
- Be responsible for partial or complete rent/lease/ownership costs of a community-based office
- Have a community-based office in Vancouver, Victoria, Metro Vancouver, and Greater Victoria (Rural Retention Program (RRP) communities aren’t yet eligible, however the JSC is working on it)
- Be able to receive and retain payment directly from MSP for the eligible fees (payments assigned to Health Authorities aren’t eligible).
If you haven’t yet registered for the BCP, visit the BCP page for more information and the registration application.
If you have registered but aren’t sure if you’ve gotten a payment, double-check your remittance statement. You’ll find it under the adjustment area of the remittance statement.
If you haven’t received payment you’re most likely missing information on your claim, such as the BCP facility number assigned to the physician’s community-based office (which isn’t automated with some billing software). The Teleplan system needs the BCP facility number in order to apply the right percentage premium for the location. If this is the case, you can resubmit claims and get retroactive BCP payment.
If you have concerns or questions, you can call Health Insurance BC (HIBC) for support at 604 456 6950 (Vancouver) and 1 866 456 6950 (Elsewhere in BC). You can also email economics@doctorsofbc.ca or contact our team.
Claiming the Business Cost Premium will help offset the costs of maintaining a BC office space and support community-based doctors. Make sure you’re taking advantage of this premium and applying retroactively!
This article offers general information only and is not intended as legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. While information presented is believed to be factual and current, its accuracy is not guaranteed and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by RBC Ventures Inc. or its affiliates.
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