The Physician Master Agreement 2019 BC: What You Need to Know

If you`re a physician practicing in British Columbia, you may have heard the term “Physician Master Agreement” or “PMA.” The PMA is a contract between the government of BC and the BC Medical Association (BCMA) that outlines the terms and conditions under which physicians provide medical services to patients.

The most recent version of the PMA, known as the Physician Master Agreement 2019 BC, was signed in February 2019 after several months of negotiations between the government and the BCMA. Here are some of the key points of the agreement that you should be aware of as a physician:

Compensation

The PMA sets out the compensation rates that physicians will be paid for providing medical services. Under the 2019 agreement, there will be a 2.5% increase to the Physician Services Budget in each of the four years of the agreement. Additionally, there will be targeted increases to specific services, such as mental health and addiction services, and services provided to rural and remote communities.

Fee-for-service

Fee-for-service billing is a method of payment that compensates physicians for each service they provide to a patient. The PMA includes changes to fee-for-service billing that aim to decrease administrative burden and improve patient care. For example, the PMA introduces a new “complex care” fee that compensates physicians for providing comprehensive care to patients with complex medical needs.

Alternative Payment Plans

Alternative Payment Plans (APPs) are payment models that provide physicians with a set amount of funding to care for a group of patients. The PMA includes several changes to APPs, such as the introduction of new APP models and changes to existing models. The aim is to provide more flexibility for physicians and better align funding with patient needs.

Collaborative Care

Collaborative care involves healthcare professionals working together to provide coordinated care to patients. The PMA includes several provisions aimed at promoting collaborative care, such as increased funding for team-based care and the creation of a new “patient medical home” model that emphasizes team-based care and patient-centeredness.

Conclusion

The Physician Master Agreement 2019 BC is an important document for physicians in British Columbia. It sets out the terms and conditions under which physicians provide medical services and outlines compensation rates and billing methods. The agreement includes several changes aimed at improving patient care and reducing administrative burden for physicians. As a physician, it`s important to understand the details of the PMA to ensure you`re providing the best possible care to your patients.