'An opportunity to transform': Details on B.C.'s long-awaited payment plan for family physicians released

The B.C. government, in partnership with Doctors of B.C., has released details about its new payment model for family doctors, a plan that could reshape primary care across the province.

The B.C. government, in partnership with Doctors of B.C., has released details about its new payment model for family doctors, a plan that could reshape primary care across the province.

Payment details of "The Longitudinal Family Physician Payment Model" were distributed to family doctors on Friday. The payment model includes compensating doctors for their time, patient interactions, and the complexity of patient needs.

Dr. Joshua Greggain, president of Doctors of B.C. and a family physician, said the plan will help alleviate the health-care crisis.

“We really feel like by lifting up family medicine, our primary care, and leaning into team-based care, the expectation and the aspiration is that everything will get better in due time,” he said. “This is an opportunity to transform the health-care system by simply flicking a switch.”

Under the previous fee-for-service model, doctors were not paid for the time they spent doing paperwork, reviewing lab results or updating patient charts. That will change come Feb. 1 when the new payment model is implemented.

The payment model will see family physicians paid roughly $130 per hour for the time they spend working, whether they're meeting with patients in person or virtually, reviewing test results, or managing their practice.

Physicians will also still bill the province for each patient interaction, receiving between $25 and $110 depending on the type of interaction.