WorkSafeBC – Removing a Unique Fee-for-Service Code

The Doctors of BC and WorkSafeBC (WSBC) are parties to a negotiated Fee-For-Service/Sessional Agreement – valued at about $50 million annually. Included in the negotiated Agreement are WSBC’s “Unique Fee for Service” codes.

These codes cover specific services provided to WSBC clients that are not covered under MSP.  The codes include services such as the completion of forms required by WSBC so they can process claims from injured workers, expedited surgery codes, consult codes, job site meetings, and so on.  WorkSafeBC’s Unique Fee for Service codes are periodically evaluated for effectiveness and use.

Recently, WorkSafeBC consulted with the Doctors of BC about fee code item #19480 -“Expedited MRI/CT Scan/Ultrasound Requisition”.  WSBC has now determined that, the code will be discontinued and has provided 60 days’ notice consistent with the Agreement.  The code will be discontinued effective April 20, 2014.

Fee code #19480 was created as part of the contract Fee Re-opener negotiations that took place in 2010. It provides $12.35 when a physician or physician’s employee faxes this requisition to WSBC.   Approximately 375 (out of over 10,000) doctors billed this code during the last fiscal year. In the last three years, it has been billed about 2500 times.

If you have any concerns or questions about the WorkSafeBC decision or the Agreement in general, please contact Tania Keefe at View Email Addresstkeefe@doctorsofbc.ca