Telehealth Services

“Telehealth Service” is defined as a medical practitioner delivered health service provided to a patient via live image transmission of those images to a receiving medical practitioner at another approved site, through the use of video technology. "Video technology" means the recording, reproducing and broadcasting of live visual images utilizing a direct interactive video link with a patient. If the sending and/or receiving medical practitioner are not in a Health Authority approved site, the medical practitioner is responsible for the confidentiality and security of all records and transmissions related to the telehealth service. In order for payment to be made, the patient must be in attendance at the sending site at the time of the video capture. Only those services which are designated as telehealth services are payable by MSP. Other services/procedures require face-to-face encounters. Telehealth services do not include teleradiology or tele-ultrasound, which are regulated by their specific Sectional Preambles.

Telehealth services are payable only when provided as defined under the specific Preamble pertaining to the service rendered (e.g.: telehealth consultation - see Preamble D. 2.) to a patient with valid medical coverage. Patients must be informed and given opportunity to agree to services rendered using this modality, without prejudice.

Notwithstanding the above, "telehealth examination" means an examination of a patient by the consultant at the receiving site using "telehealth services" as defined above, but does not include the "face-to-face encounter" requirements referred to under Preamble A. 2. 

In those cases where a specialist service requires a general practitioner at the patient’s site to assist with the essential physical assessment, without which the specialist service would be ineffective, the specialist must indicate in the "Referred by" field that a request was made for a General Practice assisted assessment. 

Where a receiving medical practitioner, after having provided a telehealth consultation service to a patient, decides s/he must examine the patient in person, the medical practitioner should claim the subsequent visit as a limited consultation, unless more than 6 months has passed since the telehealth consultation. 

Where a telehealth service is interrupted for technical failure, and is not able to be resumed within a reasonable period of time, and therefore is unable to be completed, the receiving medical practitioner should submit a claim under the appropriate miscellaneous code for independent consideration with appropriate substantiating information.

Video technology services are generally payable once per patient/per day/per medical practitioner. Any exceptions to this policy must comply with all Payment Schedule criteria for multiple visits. Information regarding the medical necessity and times of service should accompany claims. 

Compensation for travel, scheduling and other logistics is the responsibility of the Regional Health Authority. Rural Retention fee-for-service premiums are applicable to telehealth services and are payable based on the location of the receiving medical practitioner in eligible RSA communities. 

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia have confirmed that in this province, licensure is defined by the location of the medical practitioner. However, other jurisdictions may have other definitions. BC medical practitioners providing care via telehealth to patients outside the province must abide by the regulations set in the patient’s home province.