ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS

Fees Payable by the Medical Services Plan (MSP)

A Payment Schedule for medical practitioners is established under Section 26 of the Medicare Protection Act and is referred to in the Master Agreement between the Government of the Province of British Columbia and the Medical Services Commission (MSC) and the British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA). The fees listed are the amounts payable by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) of British Columbia for listed benefits. “Benefits” under the Act are limited to services which are medically required for the diagnosis and/or treatment of a patient, which are not excluded by legislation or regulation, and which are rendered personally by medical practitioners or by others delegated to perform them in accordance with the Commission’s policies on delegated services.

Services requested or required by a “third party” for other than medical requirements are not insured under MSP. Services such as consultations, laboratory investigations, anesthesiology, surgical assistance, etc., rendered solely in association with other services which are not benefits also are not considered benefits under MSP, except in special circumstances as approved by the Medical Services Commission

Setting and Modification of Fees 

The tri-partite Medical Services Commission (MSC) manages the Medical Services Plan (MSP) on behalf of the Government of British Columbia in accordance with the Medicare Protection Act and Regulations. The MSC is the body that has the statutory authority to set the fees that are payable for insured medical services provided to beneficiaries enrolled with the Medical Services Plan (MSP). The MSC Payment Schedule is the official list of fees for which insured services are paid by MSP.

The BC Medical Association (BCMA) maintains and publishes the BCMA Guide to Fees. The Guide mirrors the MSC Payment Schedule, with some exceptions including recommended private fees for uninsured services.

The process for additions, deletions or other changes to the MSC Payment Schedule, are made in accordance with the Master Agreement. Medical practitioners who wish to have modifications to the MSC Payment Schedule considered should submit their proposals to the BCMA Tariff Committee through the appropriate Section. The Government and the BCMA have agreed to consult with each other prior to submitting a recommendation to the MSC. If both parties agree, in writing, to a revision, MSC will adopt the recommendation as part of the MSC Payment Schedule as long as the service is medically necessary and consistent with the requirements of the Medicare Protection Act and Regulations and it agrees with the estimated projected cost that will result from the revision. In the case where there is no agreement between Government and the BCMA, both parties may make a separate recommendation to the MSC and the MSC will determine the changes, if any, to the MSC Payment Schedule.