Patterns of Practice Committee

The Patterns of Practice Committee (POPC) acts in an advisory capacity to the Medical Services Commission (MSC). On behalf of the MSC, the committee reviews, informs and educates physicians in regard to their pattern of practice and billings. The committee has several main functions, such as;

• Education: It reviews, informs and educates physicians in regard to their pattern of practice billings
• Produces the annual Mini Practice Profile for all Fee for Service (FFS) Physicians
• Provide a forum for physicians who wish to raise their concerns about the audit process (Post Audit)
• Nominates Medical Inspector candidates for final approval and consideration by the Audit and Inspection Committee (AIC) 
• Nominates  Audit Hearing Panelists candidates for final approval and consideration by the Medical Services Commission (MSC) 
• Additional tasks identified by the Ministry of Health (MoH), the MSC and/or The Physician Master Agreement (PMA)

The mandate for Doctors of BC Committee members is to support these functions in a way that is objective and impartial on the audit process – not managing the process itself. Liaise with and provide updates to the MSC and / or its other committees when issues or trends emerge in billing patterns or audits.

Doctors of BC members support the development of educational efforts around billing patterns and audit issues consistent with its Terms of Reference. Doctors of BC members on this committee advocate to ensure recommendations and educational materials are fair, impartial, and supportive of both high standards of medical practice and appropriate compensation for physicians.