Billing and Payment Models

Efficient billing and payment management is crucial for new career physicians in BC. These resources simplify payment models and billing processes, helping you choose the right model and streamline your practice.

Physicians can access a variety of funding models depending on their location, specialty, section, and type of practice. We encourage physicians to talk to local health authorities and other physicians in the community to find your best fit.

Longitudinal Family Physician (LFP)

The LFP Payment Model is a blended payment model that rewards longitudinal family physicians for their time, patient interactions, and the size and complexity of their panel.

This payment model recognizes the complexity of longitudinal care, values the time spent with patients, addresses rising costs, acknowledges indirect care and administrative services, and supports physician agency and practice flexibility.

Learn about the LFP payment model.

Fee-For-Service (FFS)

Fee-For-Service is a payment model based on reimbursing physicians for each individual service that is delivered to a patient. Physicians compensated under FFS claim fee items for each service provided.

Learn about Fee-For-Service.

Alternative Payments Program (APP)

The Alternative Payments Program describes physician payment programs that are not fee-for-service. These can include Service Contracts, sessional arrangements, and Salary Agreements, which are all included in the scope of the Physician Master Agreement.

Learn about Alternative Payments program.

Template agreements

Template agreements are available for doctors considering initiating or revising a contract agreement.

View template agreements.

New Contract Options

The BC Ministry of Health has introduced several new contract options for BC’s physicians. They provide more choice for established and new-to-practice family physicians who want to move away from fee-for-service and practice in a different way.

Learn about new contract options.

This section provides physicians with essential resources for billing and claims under BC’s Medical Services Plan.

MSC Payment Schedule

The MSC Payment Schedule lists all Fee-For-Service fee codes with detailed descriptions of the services, billing rules, and requirements to enrolled physicians for insured medical services provided to MSP-enrolled beneficiaries. 

Access the MSC Payment Schedule.

General Preamble to the MSC Payment Schedule 

The General Preamble outlines the requirements for submitting FFS claims to the MSP for payment. Some sections have specific preambles that detail additional rules. Section-specific preambles override the General Preamble, and individual fee descriptions override both.

View the General Preamble.

Doctors of BC fee guide

The Doctors of BC fee guide complements the MSC Payment Schedule and contains additional information such as:

• details on uninsured services such as court testimonies 
• suggested private rates for non-insured patients 

Access the Doctors of BC fee guide. 

Fee negotiation process: Fee items are negotiated between individual Sections and the Ministry of Health through Doctors of BC Tariff Committee. Proposals are reviewed by the Doctors of BC’s board and the MSC. Physicians can seek fee adjustments by engaging with their section executive.

Reciprocal billing

Reciprocal claims are submitted to MSP for a patient that is covered under the health insurance of another province or territory. Residents of all the Canadian provinces and territories (except Quebec) are covered under the Interprovincial Reciprocal Payment Agreement for Physician Services.

See the Ministry of Health’s reciprocal billing guides.  

Consultations, referrals, and re-referrals  

Referrals are required for submitting claims for consultations. Re-referrals allow for subsequent consultations for the same medical condition six months or more after the initial consultation (unless a re-referral was specifically excluded by the referring practitioner).

Learn more about consultations, referrals, and re-referrals.  

Find essential guides and agreements to help you manage claims and physician payments with confidence.

Medical Office Assistant Billing Guide

This comprehensive guide created by the Ministry of Health helps Medical Office Assistants understand and manage billing through Teleplan.

Learn about the MOA billing guide.

Health Insurance BC (HIBC)

Health Insurance BC ensures smooth billing operations and quick payment processing. This is the administrative body managing key physician payment systems.

Services include: 

• Teleplan: For electronic billing submissions 
• MSP Beneficiary Enrollment: Handling patient coverage 
• Practitioner Registration: Keeping your credentials up-to-date 
• Customer Service: Support for both physicians and patients 

Learn about HIBC. 

Medical Services Plan of BC (MSP)

The Medical Services Plan is BC’s public health insurance covering medically necessary services. It guarantees payment for services provided to BC residents.

Learn more about MSP.

Physician Master Agreement (PMA)

The PMA is the agreement governing physician compensation and benefits in BC Negotiated by Doctors of BC and the BC Government. It covers both fee-for-service and alternative payment models. 

Learn about the PMA.