Full Service Family Practice Incentive Program

As of May 2006, the Full Service Family Practice Incentive Program (established September 1, 2003) has been expanded. For program details and eligibility criteria, see the Frequently Asked Questions.

Program Summary
As part of the 2006 Working Agreement, the General Practice Services Committee (a joint committee of the B.C. Ministry of Health, the B.C. Medical Association, and the Society of General Practitioners of B.C.) has developed the following initiatives in support of full service family practice.

1. Expanded Full Service Family Practice Condition Based Payments
This incentive program is aimed at supporting high quality management of congestive heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension. Physicians will now receive an annual payment of $125 for each patient with diabetes and/or congestive heart failure whose clinical management is consistent with recommendations in the B.C. Clinical Practice Guidelines. In addition, an annual $50 incentive payment is now available for BC Clinical Practice Guidelines treatment of hypertension where this care is not part of in treating diabetes or congestive heart failure.

2. Family Physician Obstetrical Premium
This premium has been allocated to encourage and support low to moderate volume delivery practice. General practitioners are eligible to receive a 50 per cent bonus on the current value of the fee-for-service delivery payment. Effective, January 1, 2007, the bonus has been expanded to include a 50 percent bonus on the current value of the GP elective C-Section and post partum care fee (14108). The bonus payment is  payable up to a maximum of 25 deliveries per calendar year.

3. One Time Incentive Payments
GPs who as of April 1, 2006, provided care are eligible to bill and have billed the incentive payment for at least ten patients with diabetes or congestive heart failure by completing the patient flow sheets since the inception of the program in 2003, and/or performing at least five deliveries (fee codes 14104 or 14109) in the preceding 12 months will receive a one time payment of $2,500.

In addition, GPs who as of June 30, 2006, provided care are eligible to bill and have billed the incentive payment for at least ten patients with diabetes or congestive heart failure by completing the patient flow sheets since the inception of the program in 2003, and/or performing at least five deliveries (fee codes 14104 or 14109) in the preceding 12 months will receive a one time payment of $7,500.

4. Maternity Care Network Initiative
Effective December 31, 2006, eligible practitioners can receive a $1,500 quarterly payment to support a group practice approach to GP provision of obstetrical care. Under the Maternity Care Network Initiative, doctors forming their own shared care networks will work as a team so that at least one physician is always available to deliver their patients. Physicians in the maternity network must register for this incentive payment by completing the Maternity Network Registration Form (PDF 20Kb).

5. Facility Patient Conferencing Fee
This fee is available when the GP is requested by a facility to review ongoing management of a patient in that facility or to determine whether a patient in the facility with complex supportive care needs can safely return to the community or transition to a supportive care or long-term care facility.

6. Community Patient Conferencing Fee
This fee is available to GPs for the creation of a coordinated clinical action plan for the care of community-based patient with more complex needs. This fee is payable when coordination of care and collaborative planning with other health care providers patients and possibly family members is required due to the severity of the patient's condition.

7. Complex Patient Care Fee
Care of patients living with more than two chronic illnesses is often complex and demanding. People living with more than two chronic illnesses often have a poor quality of life due to their illness, and face significant challenges in navigating the health system to effectively meet their health needs. This fee is intended to better support thoughtful treatment planning based on patient goals and improved care coordination.

8. Prevention Fee: Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Approximately half of B.C.’s population is at risk for/and or been tested for a chronic illness. Many diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, have common risk factors (unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco and alcohol use), that if addressed early could prevent the onset of chronic illness. Family physicians want to provide preventative care to their patients, and most can readily identify those individuals in need of intervention. This fee supports GPs in conducting a cardiovascular risk assessment and patient follow-up. Men ages 40-49, and women between 50-59 years, are eligible to receive a cardiovascular risk assessment based on at minimum age, gender, smoking status, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipid profile.

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Last Revised: Friday, April 13, 2007

Monday, 17-Dec-2007 09:54:37 PST