What is the CME fund?
The Continuing Medical Education (CME) fund is an annual benefit that assists physicians with educational expenses. You don’t need to apply for this benefit because the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC transfers the necessary data to Doctors of BC. To receive the funds, you need to sign up for direct deposit with Doctors of BC.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible for this benefit you must have:
- a current medical license to practice in BC; and
- you must have been paid on a fee-for-service, rural locum, or LFP model basis by MSP and/or through a Sessional or Non-salaried service contract in the prior calendar year.
Out-of-province physicians will be provided a pro-rated benefit based on the number of months worked in BC.
Out-of-country physicians do not qualify for a rebate.
If you are a salaried physician, you’re not eligible for a CME benefit because it’s provided directly by your employer as defined by the Provincial Salary Agreement.
Benefit amount and payment
The maximum 2024 CME benefit is $3,300. Eligible physicians will receive the CME benefit by direct deposit in the fall.
The CME benefit is allocated as follows:
Annual gross eligible income | Percentage of CME payable |
---|---|
< $5,000 | 0% |
$5,000 – $10,000 | 25% |
$10,001 – $15,000 | 50% |
$15,001 – $30,000 | 75% |
> $30,000 | 100% |
CME payment confirmations can be found in the member area.
To sign up for direct deposit, enter your banking details.
We require a certificate of incorporation for corporate accounts.
Payment for non-members
If you are not a member of Doctors of BC, an administration fee of the lesser of 50% of your CME benefit or the balance of your equivalent Doctors of BC membership dues, plus GST, is payable to Doctors of BC for each benefit year being claimed.
The CME benefit less the administration fee will be paid to you.
An administration fee receipt will be issued to you in February of the following year.
Income tax
A T4A will be issued to you for the CME benefit. You must include this amount in your personal income on your tax return, but your medical education can be claimed as an expense.
A T4A will not be issued for CME paid to a corporation.