COVID-19 Resources and Support for Physicians

Doctors of BC is taking active steps to support our members with respect to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Our work includes: advocacy on behalf of physicians with government, the Provincial Health Officer and health authorities; and ensuring our members have access to appropriate benefits and insurance. 

A dedicated email address has been created to provide members one point of contact for COVID-19 concerns, questions, or comments. Please email .

Office Toolkit 

Doctors of BC: Office Toolkit 

This link provides access to resources that physicians can share with their patients and to support physicians in their conversations with patients who may still be hesitant to get vaccinated. 

Physicians will also find links to information clarifying policies and protocols around the vaccine and its administration, mask mandates and more.

Clinical and Practice Supports

Information for physicians treating patients with long-term impacts from COVID-19

This PHSA site includes information on recovery clinics for patients and resources for physicians.

Getting Patients Back to Practice Guide

Physicians will find step-by-step clinical workflow recommendations, examples of visits that could be done virtually vs in-clinic, sample communications templates, and tips on how to re-build clinical visit volumes through proactive outreach. 

Infection prevention and control guidelines: Summary for physicians with community practices

Among other information, this link includes BC Centre for Disease Control information and signage to help prevent the spread of infection in community practices.

The latest on anti-virals Paxlovid and Sotrovimab

The BC Centre for Disease Control has provided direction that family doctors offices will primarily prescribe Paxlovid. For information on prescribing, drug interactions, and more, please login to https://pathwaysbc.ca/login. If you don’t have a login, click on the “Request access” button. The ministry’s 5-day treatment pack prescription form is also available on Pathways.

  • What you need to know
    The BCCDC has posted clinical guidelines on these new therapeutics for COVID-19 for mild-moderately ill patients.
  • Health Authority contact list Updated June 15, 2022
    How to connect with each Health Authority to access COVID therapies for your mild-to-moderately ill patients. 
  • How to support your patients - Updated May 26, 2023
    Learn about what is happening this week and what you can do to support your patients.  
  • Q&As for health care providers Updated April 11, 2022
    Information for health care providers on therapeutic options for mild to moderate COVID-19 patients

Doctors of BC billing and fee code changes

Temporary billing and fee code changes in response to COVID-19
Doctors of BC and the BC government have agreed on a range of fee code changes to support increased use of virtual care and to address other challenges to patient care resulting from COVID-19. Includes FPSC and SSC changes.

Business Cost Premium expands to include telehealth fees during COVID-19
Effective May 1, the Business Cost Premium (BCP) will be temporarily expanded to apply to telehealth fee items, including phone and video communication with patients.

Insurance, Benefits & Income Supports 

Doctors of BC: Insurance & Benefits During COVID-19
In addition to temporary billing changes, Doctors of BC is supporting physicians and their staff with regards to insurance and benefits claims related to COVID-19.

Physician Health and Wellness 

Physician Health Program: Supports for physicians, trainees, and family members
To support the health and wellbeing of physicians and health care providers, the Physician Health Program has additional resources in place to provide counseling support for everyone who needs it. 

Resources on Physician Health and Wellness:

Virtual Care

Doctors of BC: How to Use Virtual Care Guides 
Expanding virtual care allows physicians to provide care remotely and limit the possibility of COVID-19 transmission while ensuring effective primary care coverage. 

Resources

Webinar recordings

External Resources

Practice Resources & Guidelines

Guidelines for expanded testing for COVID-19 
The updated guidelines advise that testing should be done of all individuals with new respiratory or systemic symptoms compatible with COVID-19, however mild, and details groups who should have testing priority. Physicians and other healthcare providers can also order a COVID-19 test for any patient based on their clinical judgment.

BCCDC on immunization services during COVID-19
The BC Center for Disease Control provides guidance to immunization providers on prioritization of infant, childhood, and adult immunization programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BCCDC: COVID-19 Information & Resources for Health Care Professionals
The BC Centre for Disease Control provides the most up-to-date information about the rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak in British Columbia, including a list of COVID-19 designated hospitals

BCCDC information on vaccinations for children under 5 years of age

Healthcare provider Q&As on the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine for children 6 months to 4 years from the BCCDC website.