Alternative Payments

Alternative Payments (AP) represent the remuneration provided to physicians who deliver services through methods other than fee-for-service. The AP models included within the scope of the Physician Master Agreement include Service Contracts, Sessional Contracts and Salary Agreements. Approximately 30% of physicians in British Columbia receive remuneration through AP models. 

Alternative Payments Update – May 12, 2021

Service Contracted and Salaried Physicians  have been receiving payments at 2019/20 rates pending the conclusion of the After Hours Adjudication Process and 2019 Allocation Committee process. The Payment rates will be increased to reflect the general increases of 0.5% for both 2020/21 and 2021/22 and the increases to the Payment Ranges arising from the After Hours Adjudication and the 2019 Allocation Committee processes. The After Hours Adjudication Panel issued its decision (see below) at the end of August 2020.  The 2019 Allocation Committee reached a consensus decision in mid-April 2021 with the assistance of its independent chair. The decisions of the Allocation Committee and the Chair are posted below. 

It may take Health Authorities several months to implement the Payment rate increases and make retroactive payments. If you have questions please contact the Doctors of BC’s Negotiations Team at . 

2019 Allocation Committee Consensus Decision

2019-2022 Consensus Decision of the Allocation Committee
Report of the Chair of the Allocation Committee (Eric J. Harris Q.C.)

After Hours Adjudication Panel Decision

2020 After Hours Adjudication Decision

2019 - 2021 Service Contract and Salary Agreement Payment Ranges

Summary of the Percentage Increases pursuant to the 2019 PMA
April 1, 2019 Service Contract Payment Ranges
April 1, 2019 Salary Agreement Payment Ranges
April 1, 2020 Service Contract Payment Ranges
April 1, 2020 Salary Agreement Payment Ranges
April 1, 2021 Service Contract Payment Ranges
April 1, 2021 Salary Agreement Payment Ranges

2020/21 Workload Funding Process Decision Summary

2020/21 Workload Funding Allocation Summary 

2021/22 Workload Funding Process

2019 PMA Workload funding application 2021/22
2019 PMA Workload funding advice 2021/22

Consensus Decisions (2010-2018):

2017 Allocation Committee Consensus Decision (Residual) – February 25, 2019

2017 Allocation Committee Consensus Decision – April  30, 2018
(Range Adjustments for 2018/19)

2016 Allocation Committee Consensus Decision (Residual) – February 5, 2018
(Range Adjustments for 2017/18)

2016 Allocation Committee Consensus Decision - April 1, 2017
(Range Adjustments for 2017/18)

2015 Allocation Committee Consensus Decision - April 28, 2016
(Range Adjustments for 2016/17)

Alternative Payments Committee Consensus Decision – May 22, 2014
(Range adjustments for 2012/13 and 2013/14)

Alternative Payments Committee Consensus Decision – December 9, 2010
(Range adjustments for 2010/11 and 2011/12)

2010 - 2019 Service Contract and Salary Agreement Payment Ranges

Service Contract Ranges and Salary Agreement Ranges from 2010/11 to 2018/19 are found below. 

February 1, 2019 Service Contract Ranges
February 1, 2019 Salary Agreement Ranges

2018/19 Service Contract Ranges
2018/19 Salary Agreement Ranges

February 1, 2018 Service Contract Ranges
February 1, 2018 Salary Agreement Ranges

2017/18 Service Contract Ranges 
2017/18 Salary Agreement Ranges

2016/17 Service Contract Ranges 
2016/17 Salary Agreement Ranges 

2015/16 Service Contract Ranges 
2015/16 Salary Agreement Ranges

2014/15 Service Contract Ranges
2014/15 Salary Agreement Ranges

2013/14 Service Contract Ranges
2013/14 Salary Agreement Ranges

2012/13 Service Contract Ranges
2012/13 Salary Agreement Ranges

2011/12 Service Contract Ranges
2011/12 Salary Agreement Ranges

2010/11 Service Contract Ranges
2010/11 Salary Agreement Ranges

Sessional Rates

The following document summarizes updates to Sessional rates effective April 1, 2021.

2021 Sessional Rates
2020 Sessional Rates

APSA

The 2019 Alternative Payments Subsidiary Agreement (APSA) is negotiated between Doctors of BC and Government. Part of the Physician Master Agreement (PMA), APSA details the employment conditions, contract standards and remuneration rates for all non-fee-for-service physician compensation. 

Service Contract

A service contract is between a physician as independent contractor and an Agency or the Government. A service contract will detail specific deliverables and working conditions, a level of service (usually expressed in hours per year) and a rate of remuneration based on FTE designation and range placement. 

2019 PMA – Service Template Contract (Individual)
2019 PMA – Service Template Contract (Group)

Sessional Contract

A session is defined as 3.5 hours of service. Sessions can consist of clinical or administrative work, or a combination of both. Rates of remuneration for sessions are negotiation between Doctors of BC and the Government, and are listed in APSA. 

2019 PMA – Sessional Contract Template (Individual)
2019 PMA – Sessional Contract Template (Group)

Salary

Salaried physicians are considered employees of the organization with which they enter into a Salary agreement. As such, these physicians receive regular scheduled remuneration along with any benefits or special employment arrangements provided by the employer.

2019 PMA – Standard Terms and Conditions Under Salary Agreements

Committees

Allocation Committee
Alternative Payments Physicians Issues Committee (APPIC)

Staff Contact

Tod MacPherson
Director of Negotiations

Telephone: 604 638 2885 or 1 800 665 2262
Fax: 604 638 2921