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.
