Circulated by FPSC on June 7, 2024

The delivery of inpatient care by family physicians is a foundational component of our healthcare system, especially in small and mid-sized hospitals that rely on a strong network of community family physicians.

We have heard concerns from physicians in some communities about the sustainability of inpatient care services with the evolution of FPSC supports, and the end of bridge and stabilization funding at the end of September. We understand that some of you may need more time to understand and plan for the changes brought on by the implementation of the new LFP payment model and changes in FPSC supports.

To help address these concerns, the Family Practice Services Committee (FPSC) is annoucing:

• The Assigned Inpatient Care Network Payment (14086) will be payable to physicians who enrol in the LFP payment model for inpatient care as well as those physicians compensated by fee-for-service/AP models. The payment has been extended to December 31, 2024. The last quarterly date of billing is October 1, 2024 – the payment extension covers networking activities from October 1 – December 31, 2024.
• Additional transitional support for Divisions. FPSC has agreed to provide one-time transitional funding and supports to high-risk communities on a case-by-case basis for the period of October 1 – December 31, 2024. FPSC will work with individual communities to help mitigate the risk of significant reductions after FPSC bridge and stabilization funding ends on September 30, 2024.

With family physicians providing inpatient care able to bill under the new payment schedule as of June 24, 2024, this additional support over the next several months will allow:

• Family physicians to better understand the LFP payment model compensation, the ways in which it differs from fee-for-service, as well as potential impacts and opportunities related to service delivery.
• Communities to undertake local planning in partnership with their health authority to evolve existing delivery models or develop new models as neded in response to the new funding model and FPSC supports.
• Doctors of BC, BC Family Doctors, and the Ministry of Health to discuss longer-term solutions to concerns raised by physicians.

Please have your local division of family practice connect with the FPSC Program staff by emailing fp.billing@doctorsofbc.ca to initiate planning discussions if your community is at risk of significant service reductions.