Full Service Family Practice Incentive Program

As of May 2006, the Full Service Family Practice 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 BC Ministry of Health, the BC Medical Association, and the Society of General Practitioners of BC) 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 BC 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 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% 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% bonus on the current value of the general practitioner 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. Maternity Care Network Initiative
   Effective the quarter ending December 31, 2007, eligible practitioners can receive a $1,850 quarterly payment to support a group practice approach to general practitioner 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 16K).
4. Facility Patient Conferencing Fee
   This fee is available when the general practitioner 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.
5. Community Patient Conferencing Fee
   This fee is available to general practitioners for the creation of a coordinated clinical action plan for the care of a 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.
6. Complex Patient Care Fee - REVISED
   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.
7. Prevention Fee: Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
   Approximately half of BC’s population is at risk for, and/or have 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 general practitioners 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 a minimum age, gender, smoking status, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipid profile.
8. FPs4BC - Family Physician Recruitment Program
   The Family Physicians for British Columbia (FPs4BC) program is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and the BCMA, that encourages physicians to establish a group practice (*consideration given to solo practice in rural or remote areas)* in areas of need by assisting with up to $100,000 in financial support to pay off student debt and set up their practice.
9. GP Mental Health Initiative - NEW
   This mental health initiative (effective January 1, 2008) supports family physician provision of accurate diagnosis, a patient plan and longitudinal follow-up of patients with serious mental illness who are living in the community.

Programs

Practice Support Program
The Practice Support Program is an initiative sponsored by the BC Ministry of Health and the BC Medical Association through the General Practice Services Committee. The content and material used in the Program has been developed by the General Practice Services Committee (with extensive general practitioner consultation) and is delivered by each of the Health Authorities, by way of Regional Practice Support Teams. For additional information, visit the Practice Support Program website.